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Pakistan and China — what about India?
India is closely watching but there is a subtle change in Delhi’s reaction to the Pakistani-Chini bhai-bhai bonhomie.
The writer has written for the Indian Express, Times of India, Khaleej Times and Wall Street Journal. She currently writes for the Business Standard in Delhi [email protected]
In conversations with the Afghan leadership during their visit to Kabul last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top Indian officials were stunned to hear that Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Ashfaq Kayani had told their Afghan hosts, during their own visit to Kabul last month, that upon the withdrawal of the Americans from Afghanistan, China should be, both, encouraged and allowed to fill in the vacuum.
I suppose the pieces of the jigsaw were falling into place quite nicely —if only that chap, Osama bin Laden, hadn’t rudely disrupted all those carefully coordinated plans in Islamabad and Beijing.
China is easily the world’s most interesting power, both because of its phenomenal economic rise and because of the debate taking place within the country over the kind of political power it should exercise across the world. And Pakistan, long Beijing’s special friend, is now helping it become top dog in Middle Asia as well.
Sometimes, I wonder why — even if many of you think that is an utterly naive thought. First of all, Pakistan and China share what has come to be known as the “all-weather friendship, deeper than the seas and higher than the mountains”, a turn of phrase that commends the creative juices on both sides.
China has helped Pakistan build both bridges and nuclear plants over the years, and, as the Pakistan prime minister’s very successful just-concluded visit to Beijing demonstrates, friendship cements the permanent interests of both nations.
Of course, India is closely watching the outcome of Gilani’s warm handshake with Hu Jintao, but it seems to me that, this time around, there is a subtle change in Delhi’s reaction to the Pakistani-Chini bhai-bhai bonhomie.
Not that Delhi will underplay the deep significance of Gilani’s visit, which includes the promise of additional nuclear reactors to neutralise the importance of the Indo-US nuclear deal, as well as more Chinese fighter jets to balance the 126-fighter jet deal that India is soon likely to finalise.
The fact is that, for the first time, India holds a card that has the capacity to balance the Pakistan-China primary relationship, and this is the $60 billion trade that is significantly in China’s favour. By 2015, this figure is likely to touch $100 billion annually.
My point here is that Comrade Hu will warmly shake the hand of ‘old friend’ Gilani, but he is smart enough to know his own strategic limits. He knows there is too much at stake in the India-China relationship to make promises he can’t keep with Pakistan.
Which brings me to the question of friendship. Who is Pakistan’s best friend? Not the Americans. Certainly the Saudis, and by all accounts, the Chinese. Sometimes I wonder where India fits in, if it does at all. So here’s my question: Pakistan and China must promote each other’s interests, because of the extremely special nature of their relationship, in Afghanistan as well as the rest of South Asia. But let’s not confuse that feeling with friendship.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2011.
Reader Comments (69)
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In politics, the term friendship refers to sticking up with ur ‘friend’ for the sake of your own interests. Nothing new in that. But the problem here is the way we Pakistanis get carried away by the ‘friendship’ gestures and forget the strategic realities….Recommend
Indian thinkers need to think how to spend more time planning which will equal if not better Chinese plannings. That will help eradicating poverty which will ultimately earn world respect and with it comes power as economy grows much faster. India needs to stop worrying about Pakistan terrorists including Dawood and JUD/LET. Pakistan is not going to hand over these ppl anytime soon and probably Pakistan as a society is happy having these people. So better accept the fact and move on with better things to do..Recommend
The Oil pipeline between China and Iran is why the Chinese wish to cultivate Pakistan as the pipeline has to pass through Pakistan. Another aspect is that as long as China gets Pakistan to make India spend on defence they will be able to neutralise their own issue of competing with America defence.Recommend
You Jealous? =/Recommend
India has already tried the India-China bhai bhai approach 50 years back……at that time Nehru thought that roping in the Chinese and Russians would help India……..and form a block against the US………the results were a disaster with the Chinese attacking India thinking that it was a weak opponent…….it broke Nehru’s heart and he died from that shock……luckily the Chinese did not take away any territory and withdrew otherwise we would have to launch yet another freedom struggle……
Let Pakistan learn its lesson as well by repeating India’s mistake……let them pursue Pakistan China bhai bhai…….they will also get hit in their face when the cunning Chinese tries to exploit their weakness……..if there is one thing China hates, it is muslims………their actions in Xinjiang show how harsh they can be……..finally Pakistan will come crying to India for help one day as it runs out of countries to go to for support…….Recommend
Sino India trade touching $ 100 Billion by 2015 is just based on conservative government projections assuming a very modest approx 15% annual growth rate. While last year in 2010 alone the trade grew by 40%. So do the math, if the trade grows at the same rate by 2015 the Sino-India trade would be $ 320 Billion, at 30% growth $ 220 Billion, at 20% growth $150 Billion.
In a nutshell the trade between China and India two of the fastest growing economies in the world is going to balloon and is going to become one of the most defining trade relationship in the world. Finally at some level money speaks and China will not jeopardize it’s economic relations either with India or the US for Pakistans sake.
Remember US and India had frosty relations in the past, but what turned that around was growing economic clout and collaboration of the overseas Indians with US. The same is happening in China where there are many Indians doing business and also creating jobs for Chinese. Just yesterday Indian IT company, Infosys announced $ 150 million investment in Shanghai and will hire over 10 thousand Chinese engineers. So what China is getting from india is real money, and the clout of Indian business is ever growing with the Chinese. So compare the private sector driven approach of Sino-Indian relationship which is actually based on people to people contact. Anyone who knows China will tell you that with the communist party, money speaks and Indians are carving that influence with China.Recommend
India is not only a military “paper tiger” as China showed in 1960s, it is also an economic one. It is being propped up by the West to counter China, Pakistan and the wider Muslim world. However, in reality it is nothing. No real infrastructure, poor military capacity compared to its neighbours, and only a decreasing service sector.
India is also hated by Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghan (Pashtuns), has problems with Burma and Bangladesh, in addition to China and Pak. (Not to mention Kashmiris, Khalistanis, Moaists, Tamils, Assamis, Nagalanders etc who hate India from within). China’s trade with India can easily be replaced by these partners who hate India just as much.Recommend
There is no such thing as ‘friendship’ between countries. Only countries that support your interest(allies) and countries that oppose them (enemies). If India was to be completely useless to America tomorrow, they’d abandon it faster than a horse with it’s tail on fire. There’s no free lunch in this world. Friendship is a human bond, and cannot exist between nations.Recommend
Astute column by indian for pakistani readersRecommend
Here is something for the author to chew upon while she dreams of breaking the pak china friendship.
The US trade with china is over 1000 billion a year. And that has only strengthened pak china friendship. What makes u think a paltry 60 B trade will cause china to rethink it’s friendship.????
It is amusing for us pakistanis to watch you Indians dream of the distraction of Pakistan while also wanting friendship. Keep going. U provide a good laugh :)Recommend
Well India continues to humiliate Pakistan. China is rising above. March on China, Indians are killing themselves to try to catch you. Look at ethnic cleansing in UP, to make way for road projects.
CCP and China zindabad.Recommend
Agreed Miss Jyoti…….But why is about race in fighter jets and arms when it comes to India and Pakistan whereas when comparing big guys like China, India and US, it is always about comparing annual trade figures.
India and Pakistan spending largest portions of budget on defence and we still export human talent to the world. What if we take half of that defence budget and start spending it on education plus R&D, where will we stand. Recommend
It is a matter fact that Pak-China ties are higher than everest and no doubt deeper than Havaai.This friendship is getting strong roots as it is being injected into the masses and becoming part of human minds of the people of both the countries.
But as u have talked about strategic customer then there are other things also which aree more than shop keepery,Like Corporate Social Responsibility.It is worrissome for the US.Recommend
India will never be a superpower until and unless it has good relations with all its neighbours, the reality is not a single one of Indias neighbours likes it. During the recent world cup cricket, I remember my Sri lankan friends support Pakistan and vice versa, even bangladesh which gained independance thanks to Indias opportunism in 1971 against Pakistan, does not favor India, Nepal and Burma have problems and tension with India, so Indians need to realize their ogoing hostility against Pakistan and its neighbours reflects the reality that they including China are holding back in terms of ful economic and social cooperation.
India wont become a superpower solely based on its relations with the West, it needs a zero enmity policy with its neighbours on the lines of Turkey. India still feels it can instigate Afghans against Pakistan as well as Iranians, but this is short term thinking, the road to the west goes through Pakistan, not Afghanistan or even Iran.Recommend
I can smell sumthng burning :DRecommend
US did become a super power without a single neighbour being prosperous..
While US economy stands at 14 trillion, none of its neighbours Mexico, Cuba, many other countries in South America and even Canada stood at even 1 trillion 2 years back…
Super Powers are made by being selfish just like the Americans and Chineese…Indians also will learn to be more selfish in timeRecommend
Most people in Pakisthan has been brain washed with haatred to US and India. Look at the pathetic situation of their country. Going roing the workd with a begging bowl and at the same time keeping all terroists comfotable in Pakisthan.Recommend
Jyoti,
Ur article sounds like India is too worried about Pak-China shady deals!
Truth is Indians don’t care. This is not new and at least 60 yrs old.
We all know where Pak is headed and where China is headed.
All India needs to take care is Internal security and external terrorism.
Leave the rest to USA.
Stop worrying too much about Pak-China! Recommend
Agreeing with Mr. Tariq Shah, India has to have keen friendship with its neighbours. Those relations dont seem to improve anyway near 2015 or another couple of decades after that. As far as India-China business is concerned, I am a business student in U.K and recent reports have shown that India has been very keen to introduce China in their market and shift some industries there, But lately China has pulled the plug on it. China has been at a rapid speed packing its bags off India.
Coming to the other point, of India’s ally, U.S.A, well economically, by 2015 US will be a fairly weakened state. At least thats what trends show. US is in debt not in billion but trillions of dollars, all these Iraq, Afghan wars and its activities in Pakistan are costing it $3 Billion a DAY! The economy is constantly showing a downward trend. And do you have any guesses, who is paying off these bills right now? Saudi Arabia and Middle East countries. They have been covering all their shortfall. But the moment these countries call back for their money, US cant generate it. It is a massive scare amongst economists in US right now that US can never ever pay the debt it owes to other countries in the next 100yrs, making it next to impossible.
That being said, there is no doubt that India has great potential to rise, if not as a super power, than at least as a worthy contender, but again for that to happen it should definitely improve its ties with China and more importantly Pakistan. Because, that what this rivalry is doing, crippling economy, and leading to a drastic amount of tax payers money to defense budget rather than economic stability incentives. Its a nice article, although i am afraid it appears to tell only one side of the story.Recommend
The average Chinese ‘financial assistance’ to Pakistan annually is 39 million USD.
The total of ALL Chinese international aid over the past 30 years is 26 billion USD.
We all know, how much Pakistan ALONE received from the US in the past 20 years.
End of debate. Now, let us get real about peace with India.
We can do this by building trade links with Iran and Afghanistan.
This in turn will build the ‘trade deterrence’ with India, because both countries,
are big markets for Indian goods and commodities and vice versa.
Pakistan can become a very strong node, indispensible to the region.
Therein, lies our real and true strength. Not in making a nuclear stockpile,
and encouraging ‘strategic assets’. Recommend
It has been very rare anywhere particulalrly in Asia for any country not to have some disputes or dislikings with neighbors/ I am not saying India’s behavior would be 100% exemplary but then India learns as it grows and its behavior towards neighbors and others will also become more fine tuned. Pakistan is a different ball game altogether. Its culture is something that is not agreeable to Indians (loud talks, habitual lying, very short minded thinking, lack of depth and strategy, no concern for countrymen or law,….). Infact it is not agreeable to any country in the world, perhaps Chinese do not complain publicly out of modesty (how can they when Pakistanis go ga-ga about their relationship with China). But Chinese are very afraid of Islam- there can be no doubt about that !
For those who think India is trying to be a superpower, you are mistaken. Others are trying to tell us we are a power, India is simply doing all the right things irrspective of what others say- Pakistani taunts or West’s praises. India knows it has a big To-Do listbefore it can consider itself to be some kind of a power. But it feels the respect that the world is bestowing on it on account of its 60 years of positive behavior both internally and externally. India, unliek Pakistan, has always taken independent decisions. It has never sucked up to any nation, again unlike Pakistan. It has not done many things that Pakistan routinely does in its engagements with other countries.
Recommend
I agree with Tariq Shah that none of India’s neighbour is happy with what it does. Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have all got their problems with India and it’s “wish” to dominate the region and expand itself geographically. They do favor Pakistan because they know if it weren’t Pakistan, India would have made these countries it’s colonies so it’s Pakistan that’s serving as a thorn to India and so India would do anything to break/disturb/dismantle Pakistan which it has been doing since the beginning whether it’s the Mukti Bani of 71 or the current support of terrorists in Afghanistan, Sindh and Balochistan Liberation Army.
India has earned it’s reputation In the west because of the massive media campaigns with the help of Israel and the US otherwise people who have been there knows how it is in there.
Now coming to Pakistan China relationship, what exactly is your problem with that? Wait, I know what is it. You know China will always stand by Pakistan no matter what against anyone and Pakistan would do anything for China. Both the countries have strategic interests and they are going to be one to defend anything that comes from the “shining India” or the US.
The message from Pakistan to India is that of peace and that of a peaceful co-existence but we are not going to accept Indian dominance. If you will try to corner us, remember that we are a nuclear power and we haven’t made the bomb to chew it and we are going to use it when the time comes. So you better play the good kids and stop your false flag operations and your filthy media campaigns against Pakistan.
The world has become a dangerous place and so we should all work to solve problems rather than trying to take over the world.
You know what I mean. Eh?Recommend
India’s neighbors might not like India & its policy, just ask any Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese (not including Taiwan in it at all) if they like China (the country & Admin, not the people), most will not!!!
India needs to improve its relationships with its neighbors just as China has too..(it can’t bully smaller south east Asian nations for the Parcel & Spratly Islands using brute force & financial muscle) or Japan for islands of the Okinawa coast.
Asia needs to create a stable framework like the EU, for peaceful rise & mutual co-existence !!! Recommend
@ Tariq
India cannot become superpower, but will alwys b powerfull. India’s internal dynamics is far too difficult to manage leading to contradictions but there is stability and people understand and adjust.
In regards to problems with neighbours, India has since past few years, significantly improved relations with Sri lanka. Change of govt in Bangladeash has brought some one who understands India’s concern and has helped in kicking out unwanted elements and does not allow anti india activities. As for nepal, their own govt is in state of transition, but people to people contacts have always been best.
Lastly relations with Pakistan, is most complex. With so many incidents and occurences happening in ur country, has huge bearing on India. Pakistan’s establishment has biggest supporter of anti indias elements due to which govt is reluctant to engage seriuoly.
Finally india does not need to support anti pakistan activities as you already have good number of trouble makers in our country and need to do anything more to increase the pain.Recommend
And an indian would not find fault in anything that Pakistan progresses in ? The Americans are always ready to point out we are india centric, however the indians are more Pakistan centric than we could ever be. For right now, ms malhotra a maharashtran automatically anti pakistani because of the attacks in bombay might seem right, but india does not know whats coming its way, we have a very common saying in urdu
“so sonhaar ki, eik loohar ki”
For everything that india does, there are a thousand goof ups, Pakistan just does one thing and outshines india, funny though how a small country of 185 million people, suffering from impoverty, inflation, worst possible leadership, corruption, negligible growth indicators, is always ready and willing to take on the might of such a bohemoth. LOLRecommend
Pakistan is going on suicidal Path. As I always used to think, some thing that has come out of hatred will destroyed by that hatred itself. I am sure, within ten years Pakistan will get dimembered. India do not need to do anything. Pakistan is based on ideology. That ideology was failed on 1971 itself. So, it began to follow that ideology even more madly. So, it will get destroyed. This is true. Pakistan do not have any sense of nationality in common. Now punjabis hegemony keeps u united. Except, Sindh and Punjab, no province shares your sense of nationality. Millions suffers because of the adament of Jinnah.Recommend
If economic concerns were paramount then the world sole super power united states wouldnt go back on dictators and rulers or over run countries where its interest most mattered. So its naieve to state that china’s sole concern is $60 billion trade with india. Lets not forget the history and history is never forgotten, Pakistan has played a big role in introducing china to world, from recognition to even china achieving nuclear power status earlier on in 60′s. So pakistan hasnt always been the reciever in this relation ship it has also given alot to this relationship. As for india, it should get off its Pakistan centric policy, look at the media outlets in india, leaving no chance to bash pakistan, along with the indian lobbyists in america who want pakistan to be declared a terrorist state and striving towards break up of pakistan. India cant achieve regional super power status with out taking pakistan on board and resolving out standing issues like kashmir, siachen, sir creek with us. It cant at the behest of western powers seek something similar to the implantation of the state of israel in middle of arab countries, which is an anomaly as big as the thought of indian super power status without resolving its issues with neighbours.Recommend
@John
ms malhotra a maharashtran automatically anti pakistani because of the attacks in bombay
Brother John, Malhotras are from Punjab/Western Up which is about 1500 kilometers away from Maharashtra. So on this count you are far from the truth. But on the other hand you redeem yourself by accepting Pak hand in Mumbai terrorist attack.
“so sonhaar ki, eik loohar ki”
For everything that india does, there are a thousand goof ups, Pakistan just does one thing and outshines india
Yup, have to agree with you,1971 and now Abbottabad.Pakistan does ‘outshine’ a million Indian ‘goof ups’. Congratulations.Recommend
@Author
What about India? Well Pakistan and China will sing Peans of their friendship while India and China will do business ($100billion by 2014. with infosys opening its offices in Shanghai and Chinese telecoms sourcing software from India and Indians hardware from China)
Business as usual.Recommend
Indian’s whining – typical.Recommend
A good article. I think one should not over estimate the importance of Pakistan China relationship. This relationship is based on the traditional wisdom that your enemy is my friend. But that is self defeating. Whatever the reasons of Indo pakistan differences, the bottom line is to forget the past and start a new approach of reconciliation. This army backed idea of obsession with India must stop. We should systematically, step by step, discuss our differences and move towards removing misunderstandings. I know it is not easy. It is not only the army but India’s politics which is focused against Pakistan. Those who watched Indian TV channels before the cricket match earlier this years noticed that.
So I say, India should be treated as a possible friend. We have so much in common. Most of Pakistanis watch bollyweood movies, try to listen to Indian soaps and music. And whenever I meet north Indians, feel we have similar sense of humor.
So I say open the window of your mind wide and try to forget recent past and think of the bigger picture. If the borders are opened, i can see most of lahories going to Amritsar to see the latest Indian movies and come back and boast about your visit. Recommend
Well….very interesting comments from everyone…particularly the part whr someone mentioned India does not share a gud relation with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Just to let ppl know I am from the eastern part of India, whr we have a huge and vibrant nepali population. Bangladesh has recently struck deals regarding establishing power lines from India to Bangladesh….apart from this as far as the opinion of the common man goes. I hav been here is Saudi Arabia for some time now…and I dont see or hear a single Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi or for dat matter even Saudis dey dont like Pakis….now these opinions from different nationals does not mean that all pakis are bad, however even pakis need to understand dat not all Indians r bad. Both sides shud understand that we hav alot of unsolved internal matters and our governments are utterly corrupt.Recommend
It is India who is playing a very very dangerous game of politics.
India will not get their long desired wish to see Pakistan crumble, but instead are only bringing havoc upon themselves. Is India really so gullible or is it a mere puppet of their supposed allies in the West?
It is a pathetic to see the what lengths they are going and will go in the future to see their ideology come true, or whatever it is.
South Asia needs to work together, it is the only way life will get better in the region for all its people. Recommend
Dear Jyoti,
its useless speaking anything meaningful to Pakistanis. It reminds me of the treaty which Lord Krishna tries to broker with Duryodhana before the Mahabharat war. He tries to make sense with kauravas, to no avail. I guess the Mahabharata war is fought somewhere close to our common borders. What a pity…. History keeps repating.Recommend
@GSR:
Unfortunately you live in lala laland the land of the pure…nananana the land of denial. Nakistan.Recommend
somebody commented tamil against india ? ..Are you serious ? Tamilian are so patriotic just like any indian . For pakistanis north indians have so much similar culture,language and mindset than south indians have with north indians… I would say that is what pakistanis should realise and make peace and enjoy the shared culture … India is one with all differences is because of tolerance and acceptance of others ..this is the secret ..
I doubt pakistanis have any cultural ,religious similarities with chinese and it is bound by …my enemy and your enemy are the same and hence we are friends logic… IT is not a longtime survival plan for a nation …One more point..Chinese have as much neighbours who dont like china’s hegemony namely japan,thailand,vietnam,indonesia,australia (string of pearls was feared by china over american bases around china) …Looks similar to what india fears about china and what pakistan fears about india….Recommend
@kanishka:
i believe 14.225 trillion is their debt. this is BBC was showing a few days back.Recommend
Friendship is all about sharing the same interests. China and Pakistan have tons of shared mutual interests, what shared mutual interests does Pakistan and India have? Our interests always conflict with India’s interests.Recommend
The opinion is clearly well thought and practical.
I will foresee there will be better mutual and peaceful relationship between China, India and Pakistan once the storm in Afghanistan settled down. Recommend
The author has presented her point of view.
I disagree because China has a lot on stake in Pakistan. As someone mentionedm if China can ignore 1 Trillion aid with the US and support Pakistan, 60 Billion is paltry.
Having said that, I don’t know why
Indians and Pakistanis
have used this to spread hatred. While both claim that they don’t consider each other worth mentioning, their indulgence in a debate shows that
they are
quite obsessed with each other. Recommend
respected commenters though each n ev1 of u hav got a point but let me tell u a simple fact that we indians n pakistanis hv livd 2gathr n stood 2gather to western hegemony 2gather n united v r aforce not 2 be reckoned with so basically as per western agenda of divide n quenqer v have been brain washed not only by our media but by our forces also .pepl wake up just hav a look at the defence budjets of india n pakistan its enough to feed a state 4 an year but no v hav 2 built our defences against who eachother be sure fellows that if pakistan falls next turn will be of india cuz we hav been the golden bird years ago n now 2 with our resources n stratigically important geographical locations so stop fighting among ur self n bring a positiv change cuz revolutions always begin with a single idea of an individual.it really hurts to se u mature peple fight on basis of nationality common behav like grown up .our countries need us not our enmity towards each other.Recommend
@To all my friends hailing the Chinese Saviours
Once upon a time there was a Lamb (Dumba). One day the Lamb strayed into the field of a Rich Man and came face to face with the Rich Man’s guard dog. The dog started growling at the Lamb. The Lamb started baaing loudly for dear life. The Shepherd heard the desperate baaing. The Shephered came running and shouting. The guard dog ran away.
The Lamb was now convinced that the Shepherd was his best friend. He sat in the Shepherd’s lap and generally looked down upon the other sheep of the flock.
And then one day the Rich Man said to the Shepherd that he wanted some mutton.As the Rich Man was the biggest buyer of the Shepherd’s produce he could not refuse.
And the Shepherd and the Rich Man had Lamb curry and Mutton Burra kebab for dinner.Recommend
china will not bother about trade with India. china will get gilgit and skardu in exchange of friendship. china wants that route to reach gulf oil.Recommend
This is a typical eg: of Cutting of the Nose to spite the Face.
60-100 Billion $ is a lot of moolah. Even for China. To top it, a favorable balance of trade.
And what can Pakistan offer ????
Over a period of time every country begins to think like individual business men.
” What am I getting out of this ??? ”
Much of the Arab world is feeling the pinch of giving freebies to Pakistan. Soon China will. ( I dont see too much being doled out anyway )
China is no angel here. Giving too much credit and leaning too much on China is not going to help in the future.
China has its own issues with Taiwan, India,Tibet,Japan,Hong kong and others.
Letting in China so generously might mean Pakistani’s having to get out of the tent to make way for the camel.
Beware.Recommend
I am quite amused at the responses from Pakistani readers regarding points of Economics, including the assertion that China does not care about it’s trade ties either with US or with India.
All that I can say is that is an innocent and naive thinking. The rise of China has been the rise of it’s economy and specially trade.
Well friends in Pakistan please continue underestimating economics based on geopolitical and military considerations, while we work with China on business and trade and making both China & India richer and with deep economic ties. Recommend
Pakistan’s current troubles with India and the USA have their roots in its all-weather friendship with China. Those who want to keep China away from taking advantage of Pakistan’s geo-strategic location in order to become the “numero-uno” global power can go to any extent. And the immediate action on cards is Pakistan’s disintegration to snatch Balochistan away, along with the port of Gwadar, from Pakistan by establishing a Free Balochistan State. It can now be clearly understood that insurgent movement in Balochistan was fanned and funded just for that purpose. This is in order to block the use of Gwadar port and development of ancillary terrestrial infrastructure in the province to deny an energy corridor to China for its energy needs. Read more at: http://pksecurity.blogspot.com/2011/05/beijing-washington-dc-and-gwadar-port.htmlRecommend
Pakistan’s current troubles with India and the USA have their roots in its all-weather friendship with China. Those who want to keep China away from taking advantage of Pakistan’s geo-strategic location in order to become the “numero-uno” global power can go to any extent. And the immediate action on cards is Pakistan’s disintegration to snatch Balochistan away, along with the port of Gwadar, from Pakistan by establishing a Free Balochistan State. It can now be clearly understood that insurgent movement in Balochistan was fanned and funded just for that purpose. This is in order to block the use of Gwadar port and development of ancillary terrestrial infrastructure in the province to deny an energy corridor to China for its energy needs. Recommend
Friendship between the two countries is always a two way affair. Pakistan has been a traditional ally of US, right from the day one but time and again it was let down by the US. We may consider US a selfish and unreliable friend but the lesson to be learnt is that between the two unequal friends the friendship is by the stronger, for the stronger and of the stronger. Recommend
@mind control:
Very good story !!
It is a universal truth that when you make “friendships” with the powerful, over and beyond the formal relationship, you get ‘used’. if you can give something, you have to keep giving otherwise it will be taken from you without your consent. The same thing happened when Pakistan went to sit in the US lap in 1940′s- CETO, SENTO expecting all kinds of things, making all kinds of assumptions, offering all kinds of incentives when it offered itself to US for ‘services’.
This is what Pakistan is doing with respect to CHina- Offering ‘Services’ and its assets. So it offered a chunk of Kashmir, then its minerlas and mining rights, its ports and strategic pathways.Recommend
Fareed: Your numbers are incorrect. China is spending $50 billion in Pakistan, $30 billion in the next five years
Editor Rupee News
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@GSR: Ha Ha Ha…………………………. Good Joke……………..Recommend
Seems like the author is writing this to console herself rather than carrying out any real analysis. China is an excellent friend which means it lends diplomatic support in all forums to our cause and we do vise verse. This isn’t oz Jyoti. Just because you say something over and over again doesn’t make it happen. So tap your heals 3 times and wish for something else.Recommend
Common interest is the basis of all international friendships, why China needs Pakistan is not for the economic wellbeing, but due to its Geo Strategic location, and The intentions of the US towards it, they killed Osama in Abbotabad which lies on the only road link between Pakistan & China. what a coincident.
Why Pakistan needs China is clear to all, But Pakistan can never stand on its feet until the system is changed, the leaders are changed, and the attitude is changed.Recommend
Why are we forgetting that we were together, our forefathers fought with Britishers together for freedom? Because some selfish people for their personal interests separated us and made two nations, we are still fighting. There can never be any benefit of common people in any war. We are the Biggest Power only if we are UNITED. Otherwise there is no meaning of anyone being Super Power, we are deluded by term Super Power. And we are getting brain washed by selfish people and FINALLY we are unnecessarily becoming over emotional against each other.
How sad our forefathers will be who were united and together. Think of Maulana Azad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AbulKalamAzad), Mahatma Gandhi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MohandasKaramchandGandhi) and countless so many others.Recommend
Just look at the map and you’ll know why China is interested in Pakistan. After getting a part of Kashmir and now the port, the Chinese can take a real short-cut to the Arab and other parts of the world.
I am just wondering – if 5 years from now, Pakistan wants to get the port back, will it get it? It is almost guaranteed that like the once all-weather friend US, China will also be disliked by the Pakistanis a few years down the road. What will happen then? Trust me. China is not going to let it go. It will help Baloch be an independent nation and control it. Also, there might very well be Pakistani communist terrorists (sound weird, but knowing China, anything is possible) creating problems for Pakistan on China’s behalf. China does nothing out of pure generosity.
I play chess but can’t figure out one move. Why would China want to become the time-tested all-weather friend of Pakistan? What is so great Pakistan has (other than it’s geographical location and hatred toward India) that China will come running for? Pakistan is a country in a state that no one (included India) would want even for free. Recommend
@rk singh:
Be happy in your country, let us be happy in ours, so whats the problem? I am proud to be a Pakistani and glad I am not part of anything to do with India, so go on and live in peace.Recommend
Firstly, i consider it a shame to beg, borrow and steal.
At least having to beg and borrow is acceptable as long as the beggar and borrower behave like beggars and borrowers.
Today, beggars and borrowers speak like millionaires and billionaires.
It shames me that Pakistan is happy about grant of fighter war planes. Instead it can ask china for food items to feed its people. Same with US. Who give more alms? is this topic worth it? What is so great in getting alms anyway.
Rather be a scavenger, to live a life of self respect.
I am rest assured that the chinese figher jets are of junk quality as always. God bless everyone.
Also please dont compare Pak with India and US with China. Democracies are always like that.Recommend
@Avanti: I agree. The Chinese control of Gwadar is the first step to the balkanization of Pakistan, with Balochistan becoming an independent state. Balochistan is very rich in resources and the Chinese will first develop those mining operations on the Pakistani side of the border and then likely try to get concessions on the Iranian side as well, because that country is an international pariah state and desperate for additional revenues. There is doubtless an element of arm-twisting here behind the scenes which the public is not aware of.
This is not just plain wrong, it is indeed very sad for Pakistani people. Recommend
@mind control: to John
“Brother John, Malhotras are from Punjab/Western Up which is about 1500 kilometers away from Maharashtra. “
Please read fully before rushing off to comment. What John meant was that “a maharashtran (would be considered as) automatically anti pakistani because of the attacks in bombay (which would be an error)”, NOT that Ms Malhotra is a Maharashtrian. Then, just because Malhotra is a Punjabi name it does not mean that, ipso facto, she cannot be a Maharashtrian. Such associations have lost all meaning in modern India. So, control your mind, mind-control!
@Ajay:
“But it feels the respect that the world is bestowing on it on account of its 60 years of positive behavior both internally and externally. “
60 years? The only country for whom the world named an entire ocean out of three or four was India. That was a bit more than 60 years ago!Recommend
@kailash:
Hi Kailash, India may ignore these terrorists but the thing is whether Pakistan will allow India to ignore them… when the events and incidents like 26/11, 7/7 and March 93 bombs on Mumbai happen the thing ignorance or to forgive has less meaning. India lost security because of these Pakistani terrorists which are funded and guided by ISI. Everytime we push our hands for peace purpose these people take it granted that we affraid of war or even a small battle. The thing is importance of piece and peace is to be recognised.Recommend
The india has very bad and harmful neibour it is one of the true. Pakistan is going on the suside path because the relationship of china and pakistan means the china president Hu Jinto is help the pakistan because the country has many terroust and that use for the india. The china is making development in their cultrue and he has the need of more land hence the india has a biggest country of the world and also big land the china wish is grabbased the indian land for chinas development and it is done only the pakistan. The china help for making Nuclear Power Plant in the pakistan and give the money for their preperation but pakistan gives that money to the terroust to attacking Indian big millitry collage for decreasig the indian protection power and also destory the soldiers. The pakistan has not know that the he destory his country because the terroust are one type of snake which one time bite the pakistan official officer who help the terroust. That type of the cold war is invited to the big and very harmful war which is destory first pakistan country and after other country , Recommend
India and China have a relationship that spans before the birth of Christ, this relationship was later cemented by Xuanzang, a famous Chinese buddhist scholar in the 600s, who led the first ambassador of the Tang Dynasty to India.
India and China will become friends again. Friendship was initially built up through Silk Route trade, increased trade will reopen the gates of friendship. 60 years is nothing in a relationship of millenia.Recommend
@Ranjit: You are so correct………..and it will happen , but I hope it happens sooner than later so that Pakistan wakes up finally!!Recommend
@GSR: that’s your wishful thinking, like many Pakistanis…………wake up my friend !!!Recommend
@Noor: You are talking sense; but who can convince Pakistani politicians??Recommend
@Golden horde: Just wait for you “Pakistanis” to wake up or should I say grow up………it is going to be a rude awakening form China……..
By the way US-China relationship has two aspects: 1. Trade 2. Power Struggle
China-Pak is only unidirectional> A Big Begging bowl of PakRecommend
@Mansoor: It is Pakistan,………….and your own hatred and delusions are the causeRecommend
Response to Ranjit,Rajput, Satish, Kailash Kher, Avanti, RD etc.
Just like India,Afghanistan and Iran, China is yet another next door neighbour of Pakistan. All my Indian friends, in their comments, seem to be critical of Pakistan’s time tested relationship with China while some of them have advised Pakistan to have good relations with India instead of China. To me it sounds odd to have good relations with one neighbour and not have with an other. Ideally Pakistan should have excellent relations with all its neighbours, particularly with that neighbouring country which has no dispute with you and stands by your side in your difficult times. I am myself a strong advocate of having excellent India- Pakistan relations but can that ever happen when you still have so many disputes to be resolved. Any relationship in which we have all our irritants intact but put on the back burner, will be fragile and prone to sudden shocks. My Indian friends have also criticized China – Pakistan military collaboration which really doesn’t make any sense. India itself is carrying out massive expansion and modernization of its Armed Forces and is out to procure advanced and sophisticated weapons,submarines and aircraft worth billions of dollars. India is already maintaining world’s second largest Armed Forces which enjoy overwhelming numerical superiority over the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force. Today India has 80% of its troops deployed along its Western border against Pakistan. It is maintaining a large fleet of over 7000 tanks which cannot be employed across Himalaya against China. Under such circumstances when the disputes remain unresolved and you have bulk of India’s military might deployed against you, Pakistan is left with no choice than to look for sources which can look after its bare essential defense requirements. My sole aim of dwelling on these points was to bring out the need to address the root causes of the present state of confrontation between India and Pakistan. Re-starting of India – Pakistan composite dialogue once again gives me a hope for peace between the two nations provided the process of dialogue turns out to be result oriented. We do not have unlimited time at our disposal and we have act very fast. American invasion of Afghanistan has triggered a constantly rising wave of terror. Americans may stay in Afghanistan for some more time or may leave at any time suiting their own national compulsions. At this moment Pakistan is facing very very bravely the total brunt of the fall out of the Afghan conflict. Instead of lending a helping hand to Pakistan if its neighbour, particularly India, try to create difficulties then they should also remain prepared to face the terror of suicide bombers as a spill over from Pakistan. Terrorists have their own agenda and they are not bound by the international boundaries. By resolving their disputes India and Pakistan will be in a better position to join hands to fight terrorism and poverty which are our common enemy. Pakistan today is navigating in troubled waters. Its economy has suffered a huge set back on account US lead war in Afghanistan. Present state of affairs on account of terrorism has provided our Indian friends an opportunity to write sarcastic remarks about Pakistan. But our friends and neighbours must remember that this difficult time is a temporary phase and is going to be over very soon. As a proud Pakistani, I have no doubt that our nation has more than the requisite determination and resilience to bounce back to glory from its weaker moments of today. Recommend
It takes very less time in shaking hands and to promote peace. It takes a lot of time, effort and energy to foster enmity and to hatch conspiracy resulting in short term gains and creation of future enemies. It time to decide which option these Asian trio want to exercise. Its now or never.Recommend