The CPEC has emerged as a powerful means of trans-regional connectivity, transforming economies, developing communities and connecting minds to achieve socio-economic wonders.
In this context, the emerging iron triangle of Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye appears to be a valuable addition to the CPEC framework in the days to come. This trilateral partnership has also evolved into a new geostrategic alignment, reshaping the geo-economics and geopolitics of Eurasia. It has become a “new normal,” establishing a unified framework for cooperation in trade, energy, defense, and crisis management.
Evidently, the Middle Corridor (MC) and Lapis Lazuli Route is going to create a perfect land bridge from South Asia to Europe via Gwadar, Baku and Istanbul highlighting the promise of faster cargo transit, reduced freight costs and greater autonomy from maritime chokepoints. The most recent episode of “Strait of Hormuz” has also emphasized the strategic importance of a new emerging trans-regional route for easy, smooth and safe maritime economy and connectivity in which the CPEC, Gwadar and Karachi dry port would play an important role in the days to come.
It is a good omen that the Lachin Summit (2025) formalized vision of greater trans-regional connectivity through coordinating efforts on the OIC, ECO and SCO further strengthening diplomatic alignment especially on key regional as well as global issues pertaining to security, peace, stability, energy integration and joint combating terrorism. Hence, this triad is positioning itself as a model for regional connectivity, resilience, and multipolar cooperation, with the potential to redefine Eurasia’s economic and strategic future.
Definitely, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s most recent visit to Azerbaijan started a new phase in the bilateral sphere further developing and diversifying the scope, utility, pace and momentum in diverse sector of economy, investment, joint ventures, agriculture cooperation, industrial coordination, infrastructure collaboration, energy oil & gas mutually befitting propositions and last but not least, defence connections.
Obviously mutual agreement to increase bilateral investment to US$2 billion, focusing on mutually beneficial projects vividly reflecting close liaison of highest political leadership, prompt policy framework of policy makers, valuable contributions of numerous ministries, departments and last but not least, chambers of commerce working jointly for the further strengthening of bilateral trade, brightening of inflows of investments and consolidating pace and progress of projects.
During the latest visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Pakistan, the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) was held on Feb 13, proposing to further enhance trade, investment, banking, finance, culture, tourism, energy, defence and agriculture.
The writer is of the opinion that a well-planned and negotiated FTA can potentially increase bilateral trade from the current level of $584 million to $5 billion. It is proposed that Turkiye’s non-tariff barriers and especially the liberal use of anti-dumping laws should be addressed in the FTA. The policy makers of Pakistan should consider signing a separate FTA for its manufacturing and IT sectors, opening Pakistan’s domestic markets to Turkish imports. Thus revival of freight cargos, cluster trading under Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) and involvement of private sectors should be the economic mantra of both sides in which CPEC and Gwadar would play a constructive role.
Comparative studies reveal that the estimated 3,200 km land route from Gwadar to Istanbul via Baku will significantly reduce maritime reliance. The 6,500 km Middle Corridor will connect China to Europe, with Azerbaijan and Turkiye as key transit hubs. Declaring the “Year of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor,” Azerbaijan is enhancing connectivity from Afghanistan to Europe via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye—projected to reduce freight costs by 15% and cut cargo transit time from 35–40 days to 15–18 days. This trans-regional connectivity will also strengthen energy cooperation, with Azerbaijan’s 1,000+ MW hydropower potential contributing to a regional grid including Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan-Azerbaijan defense cooperation, particularly the induction of JF-17 Block-III, is reshaping South Caucasus dynamics. The convergence of CPEC, the Middle Corridor, and Lapis Lazuli routes marks a strategic integration linking the Belt and Road Initiative with the broader Eurasian corridor.
The writer submits that trilateral partnership should work together to further strengthen trade volumes, investments, joint ventures and industrialisation cooperation by improving trade and economic ties in the fields of textiles, garments, automobiles, IT, digitalisation, AI, hybrid agriculture, green energy, space and science, Islamic banking, higher education, joint defence production, health and tourism through rigorously implementing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It is a bitter reality that the Indian lobby is gaining momentum in the South Caucasus region by providing arms supplies to Armenia consistently. So it is need of the hour that policy makers of all three countries must form a joint military production mechanism of producing 5th generation war fighter jet namely Kaan.
In summary, CPEC Phase-II flourishes plaguing-in faulty lines of trans-regional connectivity by offering immense benefits of win-win cooperation in the diverse fields of economy, investment, joint ventures, qualitative industrialization, digitalization and AI and converging this potential with Middle Corridor and Lapis Lazuli creates a direct land bridge from South Asia to Europe in the days to come. Furthermore, CPEC is going to be connected with Afghanistan which would further brighten prospects of greater trans-regional connectivity via CPEC and Gwadar.
The genie of global power politics badly disturbed international ports and their waters due to which Red, Black, Arabian and South China Seas have become new flashpoints highlighting strategic importance of CPEC, BRI and Gwadar for easy and smooth sailing of maritime economies in the region and beyond creating a direct land bridge from South Asia to Europe.
Absolutely, this iron triangle will reduce dependence on unstable maritime routes and enhance regional trade resilience. Azerbaijan’s strategic location as a transcontinental hub is central to the new Eurasian logistics network. Hence CPEC-Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan cooperation is necessary to achieve the desired goals of socio-economic integration, financial cooperation and investments.
Azerbaijan’s LNG exports to Pakistan signal the start of a new East-West energy corridor, while Pakistan’s food surplus can help offset Azerbaijan and Turkiye’s energy needs, enhancing mutual security. The alliance encourages multipolar regional cooperation, reducing Western dependence. Immediate collaboration in hydrogen, green technologies, lithium batteries, EVs, and joint hydropower is recommended to create win-win opportunities for both nations and their private sectors. Policymakers in the three countries should accelerate the renewable energy transition by strengthening cooperation, attracting private investment in storage and projects, and promoting green energy corridors.
Advancing the development of climate-resilient urban ecosystems including green buildings and climate-smart agriculture practices, as well as by improving water efficiency and security, including through expanding private sector participation would further strengthen bilateral economic ties. Cooperation in infrastructure development in the newly liberated areas, smart living, metal & mining, hybrid agriculture, SMEs, IT, Start-ups, digitalization, e-commerce, banking and finance, science & space, textiles, automobiles, engineering and higher education should be started immediately.
