A strategic triad rewiring Eurasia
The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@gmail.com
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On May 28, 2025, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan gathered in Lachin to formalise a trilateral partnership that could reshape how countries in this region trade, cooperate and respond to crises. This wasn't just another summit. It was the beginning of a serious effort to build a new kind of regional alliance - one rooted in shared history, mutual respect and a desire to chart a more independent future.
At the heart of this vision is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Originally a bilateral project between China and Pakistan, CPEC is now evolving into something much larger. The plan is to connect it with the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, creating a seamless land bridge from Gwadar to Istanbul via Baku.
That's not just a logistical improvement -— it's a strategic shift.
In an era where global supply chains are vulnerable to disruption — from Red Sea piracy to Indo-Pacific militarization — land-based corridors offer resilience, speed and autonomy. The proposed tri-corridor integration could reduce cargo transit time from China to Europe from 35-40 days to just 15-18 days, while slashing freight costs by up to 15%. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper narrative: the emergence of a multipolar Eurasia, where regional actors assert agency through cooperation rather than dependency.
The Lachin Summit laid out a comprehensive framework for trilateral cooperation across energy, defense, crisis response and diplomacy.
That vision is already taking shape: Pakistan has exported over 100 JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, cementing a strong defence partnership. On the energy front, Azerbaijan's hydropower capacity — exceeding 1,000 megawatts — could help develop a regional energy grid that includes Pakistan. Türkiye, with its modern infrastructure and transit corridors, provides a natural gateway to European markets hubs.
Economically, Pakistan and Türkiye have set a targeted bilateral trade goal of $5 billion, with prospects for expansion through trilateral mechanisms involving Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's LNG exports to Pakistan are shaping a new East-West energy corridor.
With these three countries connected through CPEC, the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, the population impact stretches across 1.5 billion people — turning this trilateral framework into a strategic and economic force across the wider Eurasian region.
To understand why this matters, it helps to look back. The ancient Silk Road once connected China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, allowing goods, ideas and cultures to flow freely. What we're seeing now is a modern revival of that vision — but with new players and new priorities. At the same time, we must remember the lessons of dependency theory which warns that countries that rely too heavily on external powers often find themselves trapped in cycles of underdevelopment and political vulnerability. This new alliance is, in many ways, an attempt to break that cycle.
Of course, there are challenges. The global balance of power is shifting. The US-China rivalry, Russia's evolving role in Central Asia and India's assertive diplomacy — all create uncertainty. There's also the risk of overextension — building and maintaining thousands of kilometers of infrastructure is no small task. And political changes in any one of the three countries could slow progress.
But the potential rewards are worth the effort. For Pakistan, this alliance offers more than just economic benefits. It provides a stronger voice on the world stage, greater energy security and a chance to move beyond traditional dependencies. For Azerbaijan and Türkiye, it's an opportunity to deepen their influence in South and Central Asia and to work with a partner that shares their concerns on issues like Kashmir and Karabakh.
So what needs to happen next?
First, the alliance should establish permanent mechanisms for coordination - something more than just occasional summits. Second, it should invest in digital infrastructure to make trade faster, more transparent and more secure. Third, it should focus on people-to-people ties: student exchanges, academic networks and cultural programmes that build trust and understanding from the ground up.
This triad also has the chance to lead by example on multilateral platforms like OIC, ECO, SCO and the UN. At the 51st OIC Summit in 2025, Azerbaijan reiterated its support for Pakistan's position on Kashmir. That kind of diplomatic alignment can amplify each country's voice and help shape a more balanced global order.
In the end, this isn't just about roads, railways or pipelines. It's about rewriting the rules of how countries in our region work together. It's about learning from the past — both the promise of the Silk Road and the warnings of dependency theory — and building something better. If the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan alliance can stay focused, flexible and fair, it could become one of the most important stories of our time.
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A strategic triad rewiring Eurasia
The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@ Listen to article On May 28, 2025, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan gathered in Lachin to formalise a trilateral partnership that could reshape how countries in this region trade, cooperate and respond to crises. This wasn't just another summit. It was the beginning of a serious effort to build a new kind of regional alliance - one rooted in shared history, mutual respect and a desire to chart a more independent future. At the heart of this vision is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Originally a bilateral project between China and Pakistan, CPEC is now evolving into something much larger. The plan is to connect it with the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, creating a seamless land bridge from Gwadar to Istanbul via Baku. That's not just a logistical improvement -— it's a strategic shift. In an era where global supply chains are vulnerable to disruption — from Red Sea piracy to Indo-Pacific militarization — land-based corridors offer resilience, speed and autonomy. The proposed tri-corridor integration could reduce cargo transit time from China to Europe from 35-40 days to just 15-18 days, while slashing freight costs by up to 15%. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper narrative: the emergence of a multipolar Eurasia, where regional actors assert agency through cooperation rather than dependency. The Lachin Summit laid out a comprehensive framework for trilateral cooperation across energy, defense, crisis response and diplomacy. That vision is already taking shape: Pakistan has exported over 100 JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, cementing a strong defence partnership. On the energy front, Azerbaijan's hydropower capacity — exceeding 1,000 megawatts — could help develop a regional energy grid that includes Pakistan. Türkiye, with its modern infrastructure and transit corridors, provides a natural gateway to European markets hubs. Economically, Pakistan and Türkiye have set a targeted bilateral trade goal of $5 billion, with prospects for expansion through trilateral mechanisms involving Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's LNG exports to Pakistan are shaping a new East-West energy corridor. With these three countries connected through CPEC, the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, the population impact stretches across 1.5 billion people — turning this trilateral framework into a strategic and economic force across the wider Eurasian region. To understand why this matters, it helps to look back. The ancient Silk Road once connected China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, allowing goods, ideas and cultures to flow freely. What we're seeing now is a modern revival of that vision — but with new players and new priorities. At the same time, we must remember the lessons of dependency theory which warns that countries that rely too heavily on external powers often find themselves trapped in cycles of underdevelopment and political vulnerability. This new alliance is, in many ways, an attempt to break that cycle. Of course, there are challenges. The global balance of power is shifting. The US-China rivalry, Russia's evolving role in Central Asia and India's assertive diplomacy — all create uncertainty. There's also the risk of overextension — building and maintaining thousands of kilometers of infrastructure is no small task. And political changes in any one of the three countries could slow progress. But the potential rewards are worth the effort. For Pakistan, this alliance offers more than just economic benefits. It provides a stronger voice on the world stage, greater energy security and a chance to move beyond traditional dependencies. For Azerbaijan and Türkiye, it's an opportunity to deepen their influence in South and Central Asia and to work with a partner that shares their concerns on issues like Kashmir and Karabakh. So what needs to happen next? First, the alliance should establish permanent mechanisms for coordination - something more than just occasional summits. Second, it should invest in digital infrastructure to make trade faster, more transparent and more secure. Third, it should focus on people-to-people ties: student exchanges, academic networks and cultural programmes that build trust and understanding from the ground up. This triad also has the chance to lead by example on multilateral platforms like OIC, ECO, SCO and the UN. At the 51st OIC Summit in 2025, Azerbaijan reiterated its support for Pakistan's position on Kashmir. That kind of diplomatic alignment can amplify each country's voice and help shape a more balanced global order. In the end, this isn't just about roads, railways or pipelines. It's about rewriting the rules of how countries in our region work together. It's about learning from the past — both the promise of the Silk Road and the warnings of dependency theory — and building something better. If the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan alliance can stay focused, flexible and fair, it could become one of the most important stories of our time.
