Pakistan’s enduring alliance with China has become a defining element of its foreign policy. While historically rooted in shared strategic interests, this bilateral relationship has grown increasingly multidimensional, encompassing economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation. This deepening partnership, however, has significant implications for Pakistan’s relations with other major powers, particularly India and the United States. As Islamabad aligns more closely with Beijing, it finds itself navigating a delicate diplomatic landscape marked by shifting global alliances, regional rivalries, and evolving economic dependencies. This editorial explores how Pakistan’s alliance with China shapes its external behavior, influences its geopolitical posture, and complicates its ties with both Washington and New Delhi.
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Historical Foundations of the Sino-Pakistan Alliance
The alliance between Pakistan and China emerged in the early 1960s following their mutual estrangement from India. After the 1962 Sino-Indian War, both nations found strategic value in counterbalancing Indian influence in South Asia. Over time, their cooperation expanded beyond security to include economic and diplomatic domains. China supported Pakistan during critical junctures, including its wars with India and the development of its nuclear program. These historical roots created a sense of trust and reliability, which continues to define the relationship. Pakistan has consistently considered China a dependable partner, especially in moments when its Western alliances proved uncertain or conditional.
China’s Strategic Importance in Shaping Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
China plays a central role in Pakistan’s foreign policy by offering a counterweight to Indian regional dominance. Its support allows Pakistan to maintain strategic parity with India, particularly in defense and nuclear capabilities. Furthermore, through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Beijing has become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic policy. This multifaceted support not only enhances Pakistan’s regional standing but also deepens its strategic dependence on China. As a result, Islamabad’s policy decisions increasingly reflect Chinese interests, limiting its diplomatic flexibility with other global actors. This alignment also affects how Pakistan positions itself in global forums on issues involving China, including the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Strained Relations with India: An Unintended Consequence
While the Pakistan-China alliance serves strategic purposes, it further complicates Islamabad’s already fragile relationship with New Delhi. India perceives the growing Sino-Pak cooperation, particularly through CPEC and military collaboration, as a direct threat to its sovereignty and regional influence. CPEC’s passage through Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory claimed by India, intensifies these tensions. Moreover, increased Chinese military presence in the region escalates security concerns. This perception of a joint strategic front contributes to India's hardline stance in bilateral talks and its deepening ties with the United States and other regional powers. Consequently, Pakistan’s hopes for dialogue or détente with India become increasingly unattainable in the shadow of the China alliance.
Erosion of Strategic Trust with the United States
The evolution of Pakistan’s alliance with China has significantly impacted its relationship with the United States. Once a key Cold War ally of Washington, Pakistan now finds itself in a more transactional and often mistrustful relationship with the US. American policymakers express concerns about Pakistan’s growing alignment with Beijing, especially in the context of great power competition. The deepening of CPEC, coupled with Pakistan’s lukewarm response to the US-led Indo-Pacific strategy, is perceived in Washington as a shift away from Western influence. Moreover, differences over Afghanistan, counterterrorism strategies, and democratic governance have further widened the diplomatic gap. As a result, Pakistan’s foreign policy space is increasingly constrained by this shifting balance of power.
Economic Dependence and the Loss of Diplomatic Autonomy
The economic dimension of the China-Pakistan partnership, though beneficial in many ways, also poses challenges to Pakistan’s foreign policy autonomy. CPEC, valued at over 60 billion dollars, is not merely an infrastructure project but a strategic corridor linking China to the Arabian Sea. While it promises long-term economic dividends, the short-term debt obligations and project transparency issues have led to criticisms both domestically and internationally. Moreover, Pakistan’s growing economic dependence on China limits its ability to adopt neutral or independent positions in global affairs. For example, Islamabad’s silence on issues like the Uyghur situation in Xinjiang or China’s assertive diplomacy in Asia highlights a growing diplomatic imbalance in the relationship.
The Regional Domino Effect: Deepening Strategic Alignments
Pakistan’s alignment with China is not occurring in a vacuum; it triggers realignments across the region. India has responded by strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States, Japan, and Australia through the Quad framework. Simultaneously, the United States continues to pursue deeper defense and trade cooperation with New Delhi. These developments create a regional environment where Pakistan is viewed through the lens of Sino-US rivalry. Consequently, Islamabad’s foreign policy is increasingly reactive rather than proactive, as it responds to external alignments shaped by its strategic choice. This regional polarization limits Pakistan’s engagement options and amplifies the challenges of multilateral diplomacy.
Strategic Benefits and Diplomatic Leverage
Despite these challenges, the alliance with China offers Pakistan certain strategic advantages. Beijing’s veto power at the United Nations Security Council has shielded Pakistan from adverse resolutions, particularly those related to terrorism or Kashmir. Moreover, Chinese investment in infrastructure, energy, and technology contributes to Pakistan’s economic modernization. These tangible benefits enhance Islamabad’s regional leverage, allowing it to negotiate from a relatively stronger position in certain bilateral and multilateral settings. Furthermore, the alliance sends a clear message of deterrence to adversaries, especially in times of heightened military tensions. Thus, while the risks are significant, so too are the rewards when managed with strategic foresight.
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Pakistan’s close alliance with China undeniably strengthens its regional position and provides economic lifelines. However, the alliance has come at the cost of strained relations with traditional partners such as the United States and heightened tensions with India. The strategic tilt towards Beijing reduces Pakistan’s diplomatic flexibility, forcing it to align with Chinese positions even when doing so may not serve its national interest. Balancing this relationship with the need for diversified foreign engagements is essential. Without recalibrating its foreign policy to avoid overdependence on one actor, Pakistan risks diplomatic isolation in a rapidly evolving global order.
Pakistan’s alliance with China is a defining feature of its current foreign policy. While it brings strategic depth, economic investment, and geopolitical leverage, it also restricts Islamabad’s maneuverability in global affairs. The implications of this partnership are clearly visible in its increasingly distant ties with the United States and its ever-hostile relationship with India. As global power dynamics continue to shift, Pakistan must assess how to balance its China partnership with broader diplomatic engagement. Recalibrating this alliance with a long-term, diversified approach is essential for preserving its foreign policy autonomy and regional stability.
