U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov wrapped up bilateral consultations last week in Washington, DC. The encounter suggested a new awareness on Washington’s part of Turkmenistan’s pivotal geostrategic location in the heart of Central Asia and its status as a major hub of natural resources.
Since becoming head of state in March 2022, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has shifted his country’s foreign policy from one of strategic isolation to what might be called practical realism, whereby priority is given to fair trade and investments that are in line with national interests and long-term development.
Like the other Central Asian heads of state, Berdimuhamedov also champions a pragmatic, interest-based foreign policy. Consequently, they find the current, pragmatic U.S. administration with its concern to work out deals (presumably mutually beneficial ones) more congenial than its predecessor, with its penchant for geostrategic maneuvering and ideology.
Secretary Rubio recently observed: “A mature foreign policy requires a balancing of interests – that’s a fact.” This way of thinking goes over well in smaller independent states such as Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries, whose key national priorities include establishing their statehood on a firm basis and safeguarding their sovereignty amid the turbulent great power politics being played out in their vicinity.
Oil and Gas
Over the years, Berdimuhamedov has insisted that foreign entities seeking access to the country’s vast natural gas reserves must play by Ashgabat’s rules. Home to the world’s fourth-largest gas reserves, Turkmenistan invites foreign participation in its energy sector, provided that agreements are structured as win-win arrangements and don’t give suitors the geostrategic upper hand.
In this context, it would make sense for Washington to get the word out about two upcoming conferences in Ashgabat: The Turkmenistan Investment Forum, September 18– 19, 2025, which will serve to attract long-term investment into the country’s economy, and the 30th Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025 International Conference & EXPO (OGT 2025) on 22–24 October.
Turkmenistan had a strong 2024 in terms of energy, producing 77.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 8.3 million tons of oil. The OGT 2025 will showcase the country’s resource potential and new investment opportunities, focusing on upstream projects such as the Galkynysh gas field and the Caspian blocks, as well as on initiatives in the areas of renewable energy, methane mitigation, and infrastructure modernization.
Moreover, Ashgabat wants to expand its Trans-Caspian and north-south economic corridors and complete the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, among other initiatives in transport and logistics. U.S. companies may want to explore these new opportunities.
Travel Limitations to the U.S.
Ashgabat is working with the U.S. Department of State to lift recently imposed restrictions on Turkmen citizens wishing to travel to the U.S. Both sides are aiming to ensure that applicants are properly screened before a visa is granted and that recipients comply with its terms.
To further deepen ties, Washington should view Turkmenistan’s neutrality towards others on the global stage in security and foreign-policy matters not as an obstacle, but as an advantage that facilitates dialogue. While maintaining its advocacy for democratic principles, the State Department should pivot its focus towards championing specific commercial opportunities, particularly in the gas, agriculture, and transport sectors, including shared corridors.
Like other regional states, Turkmenistan is well on its way to becoming a pivotal north-south, east-west transit hub in Central Asia. In connection with this, Washington should take note of last week’s summit involving the former president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, the People’s Council, an independent body that exercises supreme authority on constitutional matters, Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev, and Uzbekistan’s President Mirziyoyev at Turkmenistan’s Awaza seaside resort. The leaders met to further Eurasian integration – specifically to approve the roadmap for the Turkmenbashi-Baku corridor linking the Caspian Sea, Uzbekistan, and the South Caucasus to Europe. All this spells geopolitical convergence – a process that has gained significant forward momentum.
The message from Ashgabat during the United States-Turkmenistan bilateral consultations was clear. Turkmenistan welcomes Washington’s role in its development, but insists on a strictly professional, business-focused relationship, using diplomacy to facilitate such cooperation.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publication, its affiliates, or any other organizations mentioned.
