Foreign Policy of the Kyrgyz in the 18th - Early 20th Century

During the period in question, Kyrgyzstan was unable to conduct any foreign policy. However, individual Kyrgyz biis, both as part of the Kokand Khanate (Kushchu-biy — mid-18th century, Nuzup-biy — 1830s, Alymbek datka — 1850s-60s, and Alymkul atalyk — 1860s) and independently, intervened in international affairs (Atake-biy, who sent an embassy to St. Petersburg in 1785-1787, Ormon-khan — 1840s-50s, Kachybek Sheralin — 1850s). These actions were aimed at establishing relations between the Kokand Khanate and neighboring countries (Kushchu-biy, Nuzup-biy), establishing diplomatic relations with Russia (Atake batyr), creating an independent Kyrgyz domain (Alymbek datka, Ormon-khan), accepting Russian citizenship (Kachybek Sheralin), or engaging in military struggle against the Russian army (Alymkul atalyk).

Kyrgyzstan has always remained a territory of great geopolitical significance in Central Asia. The main goal of seizing the territory of the Kyrgyz, both by the Kokand khans and by the Russian Empire, was the geopolitical importance of Kyrgyzstan as a bridge to Eastern China, as a geographically convenient foothold for political influence over regions west of China. Thus, in the initial period of colonization, Kyrgyzstan was important to Russia as a base for conquering territories to the south of it. Starting from the 1870s-80s, Kyrgyzstan served as a base for the political and economic influence of the Russian Empire in the region in contrast to China.