The Geopolitical Significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for The Republic of Kazakhstan

The purpose of this research is to identify and assess the geopolitical significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) for the Republic of Kazakhstan. Special attention is given to analyzing the corridor’s potential to foster stable strategic and economic partnerships, as well as its capacity to reduce dependence on traditional transit routes. The object of the study is the transport corridor itself as an infrastructural and logistical system, while the subject is the role this route can play in strengthening Kazakhstan’s foreign policy positioning.

The methodological framework of the research is based on a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative, quantitative and comparative analysis. This allowed for the examination of the Trans-Caspian Route not only as a component of the transportation network but also as an instrument of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy strategy. Content analysis was used to review academic literature, expert publications and official documents of the route’s participants. This enabled the identification of prevailing perspectives on the TITR’s role and the key themes within academic discourse.

The originality / value of the research lies in its analysis of the geopolitical importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for Kazakhstan in the context of diversifying its external economic ties. This study contributes to scholarly discourse on Kazakhstan’s role in the emerging architecture of Eurasian logistics and evaluates the TITR’s potential as a tool for enhancing regional resilience and transportation security.

The study’s findings highlight that the development of this corridor could serve as a catalyst for building new economic linkages that support sustainable growth and expand international cooperation. It was revealed that the independent development of the TITR has the potential to transform existing logistics patterns, thereby reducing dependence on traditional transit routes and promoting integration among Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East. The novelty of this work lies in its systemic analysis of the corridor as a multilateral institutional entity capable of reshaping global trade and logistics processes offering a meaningful contribution to the development of both theoretical and practical aspects of international transport systems.

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