Learning Session on “Geopolitics of Connectivity: Influence, Interdependence, and China’s BRI Diplomacy in Asia and Central Asia” for the China Fellowship Program at the University of Sargodha

On 3rd March 2026, a learning session on “Geopolitics of Connectivity: Influence, Interdependence, and China’s BRI Diplomacy in Asia and Central Asia” was conducted under the joint China Fellowship Program at the University of Sargodha (UoS). The session was led by Dr. Zarmina Baloch, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Director of Regional Connection Center at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar. She also serves as a Member of Board of Experts at Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad.
In her comprehensive lecture, Dr. Zarmina began by introducing the concept of the “Age of Connectivity,” emphasizing how the 21st century has transformed traditional geopolitical thinking. She elaborated on the differences between classical geopolitics—largely centered on territorial control and military dominance—and modern geopolitics, which increasingly revolves around economic integration, infrastructure networks, and strategic connectivity. She underscored that in the contemporary world order, connectivity itself has emerged as a powerful geopolitical tool.
She provided an in-depth overview of classical geopolitical theories, highlighting Halford Mackinder’s Heartland Theory, its core components, and Mackinder’s famous geopolitical formula. She also discussed Nicholas Spykman’s Rimland Theory, explaining how these foundational theories continue to influence strategic thinking today.
Moving to the regional context, Dr. Zarmina explored the strategic importance of Central Asia and the critical role of connectivity in shaping regional and global power dynamics. She presented China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a defining example of modern connectivity, explaining how it seeks to enhance infrastructure development, trade corridors, and regional integration across Asia and beyond.
The lecture further examined the theory of complex interdependence and its relevance to contemporary international relations. Dr. Zarmina discussed how the BRI fosters regional cooperation and interdependence while also addressing concerns surrounding the initiative, particularly in Central Asia and South Asia. She analyzed the geopolitical, economic, and strategic implications of the BRI, encouraging students to critically assess both its opportunities and challenges. The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer segment, during which students actively participated and reflected on the evolving nature of geopolitics in an interconnected world.
The session was moderated by Ms. Yusra Binte Nisar, Research Assistant at Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF) and Ms. Alishba Aslam, Research Officer at Pakistan Institute of China Studies (PICS), University of Sargodha (UoS).