Pakistan and China are Resolute in the Face of Regional Problems
Pakistan and China are Resolute in the Face of Regional Problems
At a time when there was ever increasing tension between regions and lines of global friendship were changing, the Pakistan-China relationship has been redefined as a pillar of strategic strength and solidarity. With border tensions and political tensions between Pakistan and India reaching a flash point, the Chinese who have strongly backed Pakistan, have not only given the latter some much needed diplomatic muscle but also parallelly given a big lift to its strategic positioning. Such a blossoming partnership cannot be seen as solely an Indian antidote to hostility but rather a power game readjustment in South Asia. The increased involvement of China in the area represents an area of changing geopolitics to the outside world especially because it has enhanced the bargaining power of Pakistan when it must stamp its interests in the wake of such externalities. The ramifications of this partnership are huge and involve military, diplomatic, economic sectors and all the same conveying a strong statement of solidarity and vision.
China-Pakistan Alliance as a Regional Counterbalance
With India increasingly expanding its reach on mainland South Asia, particularly by pushing its hard line on its border with Pakistan as well as with China, the fortified counterbalance of Pakistani and Chinese interests and policies makes strategic sense on all fronts. The existence of China on the region does not only discourage a unilateral Indian move but it also enlivens Pakistan to pursue a more confident foreign policy. Such a balance of power is becoming evident in the international circles where China has consistently defended the sovereign rights and territories of Pakistan. What is more significant is that such position of China indicates to India as well as the rest of the world that in case of any move toward aggression it would not go without punishment, therefore securing a weak but necessary strategic balance in the region. The decision by China to support Pakistan gives the Pakistan resolution more power.
With undivided diplomatic and military support from China, Pakistan has grown stronger in its reaction to the Indian provocations. With this assistance Islamabad has been able to change its reactive to a more active attitude so that their red lines are not crossed. The cooperation in military training, strategic communication and the collaboration at diplomatic level has introduced a new sense of readiness among the ability of protection in Pakistan. The relation that the country now has with a global power such as China has given national morale a boost and has enabled the nation to be seen to be strong even when under stress. The issue of the border control as well as the international advocacy is the coordination effect between the two countries that are referenced as to a trust that has been more than a mere rhetoric.
Change in the Regional Balance of Power
The rising role of China in South Asia is no longer limited to economic projects or good will gestures it is a wider layer of influence they seek to impart in the regional order. Balance of power is being recalibrated, which was traditionally in the favour of India because of its size and resources. By pursuing regular diplomatic engagement, collaboration with the troops and investment in infrastructures, China is making a presence in the belly of South Asian geopolitics. China has risen to not only be considered as a stake holder but a maker of the outcome in the region through the horizon of experts and security think tanks. This transition is of immense importance especially with the deteriorating strength of the West in the region and the rise of alternative power sources.
Chinese Technology of Military Modernization
Perhaps one of the most visible of benefits of the Pakistan-China association is the improvement of the Pakistani forces in war machinery due to Chinese technology. The fact that China has been selling advanced weapons to Pakistan such as fighter jets, missile defence equipment, and surveillance equipment has also fortified Pakistan’s position as a country able to defend itself against any Indian move of invasion. Indeed, collaborations like the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and vessel platform show the extent of this partnership. These advances have strengthened Pakistan in a territory where military preparedness usually determines diplomatic muscle. Additionally, interoperability and strategic partnerships have been enhanced in the process of the military-to-military exchanges that have been going on with both countries being ready to face common security issues.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is still the jewel of this two-sided relationship. Even though the region faces some instability and western efforts to sabotage its development, CPEC has taken root and will no doubt represent a classic example of strategic depth between the China-Pakistan relation. CPEC is more than roads and ports it is a vision of a prosperous world and a connected and integrated region. The project offers Pakistan much needed infrastructure and energy supplies and offers China access to trade routes that are vital to it. The fact that it survived the hardships it went through indicates to a greater level of commitment that goes beyond economic convenience. CPEC is also getting recognition as a geopolitical project which can help rewriting the geopolitics of the trading nature in the region and enhancing the economic sovereignty of Pakistan.
The Role of Diplomatic Mediation in Afghanistan by China
The other aspect of China’s regional involvement is the emergence of China as a diplomatic stabilizer, especially in the context of Pakistan-Afghanistan. China has also employed its influence in supporting engagement between the two capitals of Islamabad and Kabul so that flow of communication exists between the two which was previously hampered. This is an example of diplomatic mediation which is to the greater interest of Beijing in regional stability, not only in containing extremism but also in protecting its Belt and Road investments. In the case of Pakistan, the Chinese can play a crucial role as an impartial mediator in the restoration of relations between the country and its western neighbour, which is a key determining factor of peace in the region. This metamorphosis of being a mute onlooker to that of an alert councillor portrays the increasing ambition by China in influencing the political discourse in South Asia.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author and do not reflect the official stance, policies, or perspectives of the Platform.
