Export of technologies and education as a tool of Russian economic diplomacy in Central Asia

In the context of growing geopolitical competition and a shifting international order, the export of Russian education and technologies has emerged as a pivotal instrument of economic diplomacy. This article analyzes the role of educational and technological export in advancing Russia’s strategic interests in Central Asia (CA), positioning these domains not as auxiliary elements of foreign economic policy but as central tools for fostering long-term political and economic partnerships. The study highlights the institutional mechanisms and formats of educational export, including state-funded quotas for foreign students, the establishment of Russian university branches, the development of digital educational platforms, and the intensification of academic mobility. Emphasis is placed on the training of specialists in priority technological sectors and the integration of educational initiatives with Russia’s broader export-oriented industrial policy. The author argues that the alignment between education and technological transfer enhances Russia’s normative influence and contributes to the formation of a loyal and competent professional class in the region. The second part of the article focuses on the export of technologies and scientific cooperation, particularly in areas such as energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and logistics. These initiatives are shown to serve not only commercial purposes but also diplomatic ones, reinforcing Russia’s structural presence in national development agendas across Central Asia. Special attention is given to the synergistic potential of the dual-track strategy combining educational and technological exports. It is demonstrated that this combination fosters multidimensional linkages - cognitive, normative, and material - thereby enhancing the effectiveness of Russian economic diplomacy in the region. At the same time, the article identifies key limitations, including bureaucratic fragmentation, insufficient funding, limited global competitiveness of Russian technologies, and intensifying competition from China, Turkey, and Western countries. The article concludes by emphasizing the necessity of a coordinated, well-resourced strategy for Russia’s humanitarian and technological presence in Central Asia. Such an approach is essential to strengthening Russia’s regional influence and building resilient economic and political ties within an increasingly multipolar and contested global environment. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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