China's deft diplomacy

China often prefers to move quietly. Yet, as the world undergoes what many describe as the most profound transformation in a century, Beijing is steadily expanding its global footprint. The first few months of President Donald Trump's second term have rattled Washington's allies more than its adversaries. The biggest casualty of Trump's tariff wars and coercive tactics is the US-India strategic partnership. For two decades, successive US administrations propped up India as a counterweight to China. But Trump appears to have abandoned that approach, relentlessly criticising New Delhi for buying Russian oil and weapons and for "ripping off" the US with high tariffs.

As ties with Washington unravel, India seems to have hit the reset button with China. For the beleaguered Modi government, this appears to be a tactical hedge in the face of Trump's unpredictability. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing's special representative on border issues, visited New Delhi. It was his first trip to the Indian capital in three years. He held talks with his Indian counterpart and the National Security Adviser, besides meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides agreed on several confidence-building measures, including the resumption of direct flights and easing of visa restrictions.

The timing is significant. Wang Yi's trip came just ahead of the SCO summit in Tianjin later this month, which Modi is set to attend — clearly signalling a shift in India's policy. In recent years, Modi avoided SCO summits both because of tense ties with China and to placate Western allies. For Beijing, even a tactical reset with New Delhi is a diplomatic win. Despite its suspicions of India's western tilt, China has never abandoned engagement. Engaging adversaries lies at the heart of Beijing's foreign policy.

It was this very approach that nudged Pakistan to engage the Afghan Taliban government, seeking solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. After New Delhi, Wang Yi also traveled to Kabul and then Islamabad. Speaking about his three-nation tour, he emphasised that it reflected China's desire to deepen mutually beneficial relations across South Asia.

"Indeed, I visited three countries, and Pakistan is my final stop and the most important stop," Wang Yi remarked. He underlined that the 21st century should be the century of Asia, particularly South Asia, where accelerated development must be the shared priority. A stable, peaceful and prosperous South Asia, he stressed, serves the common interests of all.

Wang Yi's visit came amid shifting regional and international alignments. On one hand, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic upswing in relations with the US, while India's ties with Washington have plunged to their lowest point. Amid this turbulence, China and India appear to be recalibrating their relationship.

Some observers speculate that Beijing's outreach to India may be linked to Pakistan's warming ties with Washington, China's principal rival. Likewise, Islamabad's growing closeness with Trump's America could tempt it to maintain some distance from Beijing. But both Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar dismissed such speculation, insisting the Pakistan-China partnership is not subject to external influences. Both sides delivered a collective message that the current geostrategic developments and realignments are not going to have any negative fallout on their "iron clad and all weather" strategic partnership.

"As a trusted friend and strategic partner China is the mainstay and cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Our bilateral friendship occupies paramount importance. We would continue to maintain our strategic communication and coordination and further deepen and expand our ironclad friendship and brotherhood as envisioned by our leadership and peoples of Pakistan," emphasised Dar while speaking at a joint news conference with his Chinese counterpart.

Islamabad understands the more Beijing extends its diplomatic reach in the region and beyond, the more Pakistan stands to benefit.