Uzbekistan’s Afghan Strategy as a Factor in the Development of Cross-Border Interaction Between Central and South Asia

South and Central Asia have a thousand-year history of interaction, including the era of empires and the rivalry of great powers. The failure of the United States in establishing peace in Afghanistan demonstrates the importance of a regional initiative to resolve the situation in that country. The authors emphasize the importance of the ideas put forward by the Uzbek leadership, which can establish multifaceted relations between the countries of South and Central Asia. The methodological basis of the study is the geopolitical concept of H. Mackinder, the meaning of which is to single out the north-eastern part of Eurasia as a special and significant area - the Heartland. In recent years, Uzbekistan has established itself as a responsible regional actor, fulfilling its obligations. Central Asia and South Asia have a demographic complementarity that can change the rules of the game for the peoples of Eurasia. Uzbekistan has every chance to attract the attention of the international business, as it has a cheap labour workforce and sufficient opportunities to become a Eurasian business center. At the present time, Tashkent is on the threshold of a new stage in its involvement in the peace process in Afghanistan. The previous proposals, although acceptable, did not receive broad international support, nor adequate information and political promotion within the country. The development of Uzbekistan’s strategy indicates a clear intention to actively participate in the settlement of the conflict and the consistent implementation of the country’s position on this issue. Whatever the future scenario of the situation in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan will continue to be interested in minimizing the negative consequences of events in the neighboring country and will continue to play an important role in the process of resolving the situation. In the light of developing events, Uzbekistan should continue the Afghan strategy, adapting it in a timely manner to the evolving regional and international realities. On the one hand, Uzbekistan has become a full-fledged regional leader, offering its neighbors to discuss and resolve issues of interaction themselves. At the same time, thanks to a flexible approach, Tashkent is trying to avoid competition and any concerns of its neighbors about the country’s increased ambitions.