The “C5+1” Summit and America's Influence in Central Asia
(Translated)

Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 574 - 19/11/2025
By: Ustadh Nurudin Asanaliev

On November 6, a summit was held in Washington, D.C., bringing together U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Central Asian states. During this meeting, held within the framework of the “C5+1” format, several agreements were signed in the areas of trade, diplomacy, and minerals, with the aim of strengthening U.S. influence in the region. A proposal was also put forward to establish a special committee focused on research, production, and transportation of precious metals.

In its policy toward Central Asia, the United States focuses particularly on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan due to their abundant and vital mineral resources. For this reason, massive agreements have been signed with them. During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit, companies from both countries signed contracts totaling $17 billion, most notably in the rare earth minerals sector. For example, a major agreement was signed to develop one of the world’s largest untapped tungsten mines, with the American company Cove Kaz Capital holding a 70% stake in the joint venture with the Kazakh National Mining Company.

According to Tokayev, the US has invested over $100 billion in Kazakhstan, while bilateral trade amounts to $5 billion. Kazakhstan supplies approximately 25% of America's uranium needs, and more than 600 American companies operate in the country.

Earlier, during meetings held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Kazakhstan signed an agreement to purchase railway locomotives from the United States worth more than $4 billion.

American and Uzbek companies have also signed similar agreements, particularly in the field of precious metal extraction, with contracts signed between the relevant Uzbek ministries and American companies such as Denali Exploration Group, Re-Element Technologies and Flosserve.

There are approximately 300 American companies operating in Uzbekistan. It was previously announced that Uzbekistan would purchase 22 Boeing aircraft from the US for $8 billion.

Central Asia has huge reserves of strategic minerals including rare earth minerals, such as lithium, beryllium, uranium, tungsten, and molybdenum, in addition to rare metals from the platinum group.

Geologists estimate that at least 15% of the world’s rare earth elements are concentrated in this region. Kyrgyzstan alone has more than 200 sites of strategic ore deposits, Kazakhstan has around 160, while Uzbekistan and Tajikistan possess dozens of rare earth mines, most of which have yet to be fully explored.

It is well known that the “C5+1” format was established in 2015 at the level of foreign ministers, and later, under Biden, evolved into meetings at the presidential level in New York. The primary objective of US policy at that time was to support the unity of the region's countries in order to form Central Asia as a unified regional bloc. This approach was confirmed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. During his meeting with President Trump, he stated, “When I assumed the presidency, I set a major priority for myself: resolving border issues with neighboring countries in a spirit of good neighborliness.” He added that he and the leaders of neighboring countries had been able to accomplish this crucial task peacefully. Japarov further stated that the result of these efforts was the increased role of Central Asia in global politics and the growing interest of major powers in strengthening cooperation with its countries.

As is well known, international competition for rare earth metals has intensified recently, making the US a strategic priority in this sector. However, China has made significant strides in the extraction and refining of rare earth metals, controlling approximately 70% of global production and holding nearly half of the world’s reserves, while the US share is only 12%. Furthermore, China’s geographical location bordering Central Asia gives it an additional advantage in transporting raw materials from the region.

The European Union is also seeking to strengthen its ties with Central Asia independently of Washington. For example, at the Samarkand Summit in April of this year, the EU announced an investment package exceeding $13.2 billion for the entire region, with most of it focused on the precious metals sector. This indicates that competition for rare earth minerals will intensify in the future.

The corridors linking Central Asia to Europe for the transport of mineral wealth are becoming increasingly important, most notably the Central Corridor, as well as the Zangezur Corridor, which connects the region to Europe via Azerbaijan and has recently become known as the “Trump Corridor.”

Thus, the major powers continue to relentlessly pursue their material interests, especially in light of the intensifying global conflict over natural resources, which makes Central Asia a region of increasing strategic importance day by day.

Therefore, we Muslims should not allow our strategic locations and natural resources to become an arena for the machinations of those powers. Instead, in accordance with the Shariah rulings of Allah (swt), we must unite and prevent the disbelievers from extending their dominion over us, and strive earnestly to establish the Second Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate) on the Model of Prophethood, which will be a protective paradise for Muslims.

The world will not escape this injustice, and the looted wealth will not be recovered, except by the great ideology of Islam, which brings justice and mercy to all of humanity.