The article covered in this file will be useful in the

below mentioned topics and past paper

questions

Current Affairs & International Relations

Data, facts, analysis and argument from the above article can be molded in
the following topics:
1. Pakistan relations with China and US
2. Foreign Policy of Pakistan post 9/11
3. Changing security dynamics for Pakistan : Challenges to National Security of
Pakistan
4. Role of Pakistan in the region : Rise of China
5. Pakistan’s National Interest
6. Proxy wars : Role of external elements
7. Indo-US nexus :threat to Pakistan
8. CPEC and Strategic importance of Pakistan
9. International Security
10. Cooperation and competition in Arabian Sea, Indian and Pacific Ocean.

Information from this article will be assist you to

form arguments of these past paper questions
Past paper questions
1. Critically examine China’s strategic vision behind its ‘One Belt, One Road’
venture.(C.A- 2017,2019)
2. How the United States is trying to keep its dominant position in the Asia-
Pacific and what is the China’s repose to it? (C. A-2018)
3. What are the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as one of the new
members of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO)? (C. A-2018)
4. Discuss the strategic contours of Indo-US evolving partnership and how will
it impact Pakistan-US and Pakistan-China relations? (C. A-2020)
5. Strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly becoming
intense. Define the interests and role of US, China, India, Japan and
Australia in the geopolitics of Indo-Pacific region. (C. A-2020)

Deconstructed by Rabia Kalhoro and Usman

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New World Order: Choice for Pakistan - Pakistan Observer
Introduction : Historical events steered Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

AT the time of independence in 1947, world was divided into two major blocs: One,
Capitalist led by the USA and the other, Communist led by the USSR. Pakistan following
the legacy of its colonial ruler, UK, was inclined towards the Capitalist ideology. So, when
the USSR invited the then PM Liaqat Ali Khan for the state visit in 1949, it was famously
ignored and instead he opted to visit USA in 1950. This shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
for years to come, joined SEATO(The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) and CENTO
(The Central Treaty Organization) and later become a major non-NATO ally.
Relationship with China – not a significant player in the international arena then – was rather
lukewarm(unenthusiastic) .

China strengthened relations with Pakistan : climax of 1962 Sino-Indian war

However, Sino-Pakistan relations changed in 1962, when China defeated India

comprehensively in a war over disputed territory of Laddakh. This Sino-Indian war
provided an opportunity for both Pakistan and China to come closer. Sino-Pakistan
Agreement was signed in 1963 after which started an era of Pak-China friendship, “A
friendship higher than the heights of the Himalayas and deeper than the depths of the
Arabian Sea”.

Rise of China : Global economic giant under Xi Jinping

Then began the incredible story of China’s rise to become a global economic giant and
a candidate for a super power status; the slot that was lying vacant since the demise of
the Soviet Union. Things started changing rapidly when Xi Jinping became its new leader
in 2013; the policy of hiding your strength and biding time was discarded. His
premiership(the office or position of a prime minister or other head of government.)
marked the moment that China switched from presidenthship concentrating on the economic
development to something much more assertive(forceful) and much more consequential for
the rest of the world. Balance of power between the US and China started shifting –
quietly but significantly. He spoke of “Chinese dream” and announced its most ambitious
project – One Belt, One Road – evocatively named after the historic Silk Road trading
route. Thus, revealing a plan to dominate the world trade by connecting the infrastructure of
China to the rest of Asia and beyond to Europe and Africa.

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BRI’S project of CPEC: An epitome of Pak-China partnership

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is vital for China as it provides an alternate trading
route to China other than the maritime route that passes through South China Sea.
China, Vietnam, , Taiwan, Malaysia Brunei and the Philippines, all have competing claims
on South China Sea. USA has also sent its fleets there many times. It was imperative for
China to develop an alternate route to safeguard its trading and energy needs in case
the South China Sea is denied to them. Here, Pakistan’s geography played in its favor and
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking China to the warm waters of Arabian
Sea, became the flagship project of BRI. This multi-billion dollar project came as a pleasant
surprise for Pakistan which was desperately looking for foreign direct investment to boost its
deteriorating economic condition and none was coming from its old western allies on one
plea or the other.

Amid US-China tug of war : Pakistan needs to weigh the pros and cons

Economic and military rise of China has divided the world into two blocs again. This sounds
too familiar and have so many echoes of the cold war between US and the Soviet Union.
Which side should Pakistan take? Pakistan must side with China and come out of the
influence of USA that has subjected Pakistan to a unilateral sanctions regime at several
crucial junctures in the history of their bilateral ties. A little revamp of history would be in
order here.

US’s impaired Pakistan’s image whilst China rescued : lessons to be learnt from
history

▪ After 1962 Sino-Indian war, USA armed Indian forces to the teeth(well equipped) .
The same arms were used by India against Pakistan in 1965 and ironically when USA
put arms embargo ( official ban ) on India and Pakistan, it drastically affected the
fighting capability of Pakistan being heavily depended on American arms. China came
Pakistan’s rescue – giving ultimatum to India and mobilizing her forces – thus tilting
the war in Pakistan’s favor. For the first time, perception of China as Pakistan’s
saviour emerged.
▪ The perception strengthened when in 1971, USA’s seventh fleet never came despite
several requests.
▪ In 1974, India conducted underground nuclear test, and when Pakistan seeked its own
nuclear weapons capability; USA imposed sanctions.
▪ Pakistan helped USA fight its war in Afghanistan but after the withdrawal of the
Soviet forces, USA once again severed its ties and imposed new sanctions. Similarly,
USA imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan after 1998 nuclear tests that severely
hampered Pakistan’s economic growth.
▪ During all this time, China supported Pakistan economically as well as militarily and
diplomatically hence proving to be Pakistan’s “all weather friend”.

Critical Analysis
Thus, choice for Pakistan to stand with the time-tested friend China is apparent. More
so, in the present situation where USA and its allies have started targeting China on many
fronts including blaming China for the spread of Covid-19. Present Sino-Indian standoff in
Gulwaan Valley can also be seen in the same perspective. India, emboldened (give
confidence) with its strategic alliance with USA, tries to annex area beyond Line of Actual
Control (LAC) and abrogation of article 370 to annex Kashmir, a few months back, was also
the continuation of the same policy. Battle lines are being drawn and Pakistan needs to be on
the right side of history this time.
—The writer is a freelance columnist based in Manchester, UK.

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Notes Taking

US-Pakistan Relations : At Crossroads of History

• AT the time of independence in 1947, world was divided into two major
blocs: One, Capitalist led by the USA and the other, Communist led by the
USSR.
• When the USSR invited the then PM Liaqat Ali Khan for the state visit in
1949, it was famously ignored and instead he opted to visit USA in 1950.
This shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy for years to come.
• Pakistan allied itself with the United States during the Cold war era against
the Soviet Union, and was an integral player in the CENTO and SEATO
alliances.

•
Pakistan helped USA fight its war in Afghanistan but after the
withdrawal of the Soviet forces, USA once again severed its ties and
imposed new sanctions. USA has subjected Pakistan to a unilateral
sanctions regime at several crucial junctures in the history of their
bilateral tie.

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.

• Timeline of the historical events of Pakistan relations with US and its

repercussions. Data taken from the article.

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• Both China and the United States are well aware of the geopolitical
and geo-strategic location of Pakistan. USA is rather the close ally of
India which is proved from the historical events too that relying on
United States for defense and security resulted in heavy casualties in
the form of Kargil War and War on terror.
• Deepening Indo-US nexus is a threat to Pakistan’s territorial integrity
whereas siding with Economic Giant China can empower Pakistan’s
Defense capabilities, uplift economy, provide access to trade with
ASEAN countries and ensure regional security by keeping India at bay.

(Personal Opinion)

China -Pakistan Relations : All weather friends

• This Sino-Indian war provided an opportunity for both Pakistan and

China to come closer. Sino-Pakistan Agreement was signed in 1963
after which started an era of Pak-China friendship,

“A friendship higher than the heights of the Himalayas and deeper than the
depths of the Arabian Sea”. (Can be quoted in Pak-China Relations)

• Things started changing rapidly when Xi Jinping became its new leader
in 2013; the policy of hiding your strength and biding time was
discarded.
• His premiership marked the moment that China switched from
presidenthship concentrating on the economic development to
something much more Assertive and much more consequential for the
rest of the world.
• Balance of power between the US and China started shifting – quietly
but significantly.

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• Xi Jingping spoke of “Chinese dream” and announced its most
ambitious project – One Belt, One Road – evocatively named after the
historic Silk Road trading route. Thus, revealing a plan to dominate the
world trade by connecting the infrastructure of China to the rest of Asia
and beyond to Europe and Africa.

• Pakistan’s geography played in its favor and China Pakistan Economic

Corridor (CPEC), linking China to the warm waters of Arabian Sea,
became the flagship project of BRI.

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CPEC : Corridor of power

• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is vital for China as it provides an
alternate trading route to China other than the maritime route that passes
through South China Sea.

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• Pakistan can boost its economy and GDP through CPEC, that’s why it is
also named as “game changer”. Pakistan on the other hand, provides
China with the shortest route to Middle East and Europe. Thus, gives a ray
of hope to Chinese dream and answer to China’s Malacca Dilemma in
the shape of Gwadar Port.

Pakistan must side with China and come out of the influence of USA that has
subjected Pakistan to a unilateral sanctions regime at several crucial junctures
in the history of their bilateral ties. During all this time, China supported Pakistan
economically as well as militarily and diplomatically hence proving to be
Pakistan’s “all weather friend”
Indo-Pacific strategy : Challenging China’s dominance in Asia-Pacific

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• The American strategy to contain China is nothing new. Access to the

Pacific Ocean is controlled by U.S. allies, starting with Japan and South
Korea in the north, moving south through Okinawa, Taiwan, the Philippines
and Singapore. Indonesia and especially Vietnam are also concerned
about China becoming too powerful. Ironically, for all these countries –
except Japan and Singapore – China is their largest trading partner.

• As a counter to China’s BRI, the U.S. proposes the “Free and Open Indo-
Pacific” strategy, which heavily involves Japan, India and Australia. It is
seen as an association of democracies, assuring the economic and trade
links between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

• India plays a big role in this strategy. During the Cold War, New Delhi
leaned more toward the Soviet Union than the U.S. This has changed,
especially due to India’s increased concerns about China. India sees
China as a threat to its territorial integrity across the Himalayas, worries
about Beijing’s political and economic flirtation with Pakistan and has
begun to challenge China’s rising naval presence in the Indian Ocean.

( The End)

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