The Central Asian Region gained wider recognition in International Relations after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. The emergence of five independent nation-states in the heartland of Eurasia was, in fact, a matter of curiosity for the world community. At the same time, there were apprehensions about political stability, territorial integrity and economic viability of the Central Asian Republics (CARs) of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In 1990s, considerable empirical research was conducted on the politics, history and society of the CARs. Strikingly, in most western literature, these states were referred to as the ‘five Stans’, without appreciating their peculiarities. Nevertheless, the strategic vitality of this region was acknowledged beyond doubt.