Sino–Us Energy Diplomacy Towards Central Asia: Interests Versus Ideology

This study presents a comparative overview of the energy diplomacy of the U.S and China towards Central Asia in the context of interests versus ideology. The study provides imperative clue of pros and cons and limitations of preaching dogmatic ideology alone to secure energy interests abroad. The research also provides insights into the opportunities and challenges to the Central Asian republics to better protect their energy interests from the major powers competition in the region. The study adopted a well-structured analytical methodology to analyze the tactics of “Qualitative Energy Diplomacy” (QED) of the U.S and China for advancing their energy and strategic interests. The findings of the study reflect that tactics employed by the U.S and China to preach the dogmatic values in the region vary, with the efforts of the U.S relatively greater than the Chinese. The study also finds that when the dogmatic explanation of these qualitative tenets conflicts the same energy interests, both of them regard ideologies subservient to their interests. The research also highlighted some of the impediments in the successful implementation of dogmatic values of the U.S and China to better protect their energy interests in a qualitative way.