247

PAK-CHINA PARTNERSHIP: US AND INDIA’S

RESPONSE
Asma Rashid *

Abstract
Pakistan and China have always enjoyed multidimensional and cordial
relations on the basis of mutual trust and understanding. These relations have taken
a further boost in the post 9/11 era. Though they made policy adjustments in the light
of global transformations, yet their relations continued to be in harmony with each
other. The year 2015 marked the big boost in these relations through the culmination
of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement worth $ 46 billion. CPEC
brought forth many opportunities for both the countries to promote their interests
respectively, is viewed negatively by US and India, as a step to contain US role and
Indian ambitious designs in South Asia. Many other countries who were previously
against the CPEC, are now taking interest and wanted to be a part of it. US has
developed Asia pivot to contain China’s rise and to reinforce its position in the Asia
pacific region and also supports India’s reservations over it .While India views it from
the prism of its security concerns in the light of its rivalry with both China and
Pakistan. As an emerging global power, China has the potential and willingness to
support and promote Pakistan more than any other power of the world. This paper
looks into the interests of Pakistan and China associated with each other, CPEC and
the US and India’s responses over their strategic partnership.

Keywords: China, Pakistan, US, India, CPEC, Interests.

Introduction

P akistan and China are ‘all weather tested allies’ yet the signed agreements
needs to be implemented in their true letter and spirit to grasp the actual
potential of this partnership. In fact, it is the mutuality of interests and shared
threat perception that not only have led to the convergence of their interests but
also have made complementary to each other. Pakistan and China both depends
on one another for the fulfillment of their strategic interests as nations have
interests not the friendships. Whenever, Pakistan faces any external pressure or
threats to its security, China has always extended its support to Pakistan via
giving its air cover, supported its nuclear program, and protected its economy
form external pressures. It also supports Pakistan on various international
forums like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG) and the G-20 etc. Pakistan reciprocates with supporting China on

*
Asma Rashid is a PhD scholar at Quaid-i- Azam University, Islamabad. She is a lecturer at the Politics
and International Relations Department of International Islamic University, Islamabad.

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every issue either pertaining to national security related to Taiwan or Xinjiang or

any other matter etc. However, growing China-Pakistan association is often seen
with skepticism by the US and India. US is apprehensive due to China’s rise as a
major challenger to U.S. hegemony while India sees growing China-Pakistan
partnership through the prism of its security interests. This paper examines the
Pak-China partnership by addressing the following research questions. First, how
and Why Pakistan and China are important for each other? Second, How
Pakistan and China are supporting each other? Third, how this entente between
Pakistan and China is viewed by US and India? This paper’s research
methodology contains the use of appropriate secondary sources and the official
statements issued by the leaders of concerned countries during different timings.

This paper has been divided into three sections. First section after giving
a brief description of historical relations, spells light over the importance of
China and Pakistan for each other. Second section probes into the Pak-China
cooperation during the war on terror, explores CPEC and discusses the role of
regional states over it. Third section looks into the US and India’s concerns and
actions to derail this strategic partnership. The final section concludes the whole
article.

Historical Relations between Pakistan and China

Since China’s inception in 1948, both countries started their relations on
the basis of cordiality as Pakistan was among those few countries who accorded
recognition to the newly born state of China in the first week of its
independence. On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan established diplomatic
relations. Relations were amicable and were on good note. Though China did not
like Pakistan’s entry into west sponsored defense pacts like SEATO, CENTO, etc.
However, it did not criticize Pakistan as it understood that these pacts are driven
on the basis of Pakistan’s security needs. In 1951, China had to intervene in the
Korean war to protect its security interests in the region at that time, Pakistan
did not vote against China, in the United Nations General assembly (UNGA) to
label it as an aggressor, this gesture helped both states to strengthen their
relations and was appraised by Chinese leadership.

At systemic level either commonality of interest or shared threat

perception led the states to cooperate with each other. In case of Pakistan and
China, India is a common enemy. The matter of fact is Pakistan’s policies are
Indo-centric but China is a state who never cherished to have good relations with

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India at the expense of Pakistan. Though, initially Pakistan was less careful in its
anti-communist rhetoric as Prime Minister Bogra at a conference in Colombo in
May 1954 spoke of international communism as the biggest potential danger to
democracy in the region1. Premier Zhou Enlai communicated it to the departing
ambassador that he was hurt by Pakistan. Yet still he said that, he fully
understood Pakistan’s circumstances. This signal was carefully taken by Pakistan
and at a meeting after the Bandung conference (April 1955) between Prime
Minister M. Ali Bogra and Premier Zhou Enlai, it was explained to China that
Pakistan’s entry in west sponsored pacts were not to encircle China and that
Pakistan would not take part in any alliance and war against China 2. In 1956
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan and in a joint communique it was
stated that the differences of opinion on various issues would not block the
strengthening of relations among Pakistan and China 3. Developments during
1957 and 1969 had brought the relations of both countries into a new phase of
cooperation. India put an allegation on China for supporting the war within
parts of Ladakh (Kashmir) and North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). At the same
time, the American and Soviet inclination towards India revealed the fact that
India got all kinds of military support from both power blocs while Pakistan’s
request was ignored and put down. In the same way Pakistan openly opposed
India’s acts of waging war to get the weapon from West and U.S. in particular.
Amidst the 1965 Indo-Pak war, China fully supported Pakistan not only by
extending diplomatic support but also provided necessary military technology
and financial assistance. All this moved the partnership to the new horizons
beyond the state level interactions and extended to the people of both states4. In
1971, Pakistan was disintegrated and Bangladesh was created due the Indian
conspiracy. Remapping of Pakistan after Bangladesh creation suited well to the
interests of China and they touched the new heights of friendship.

Connected to late 1970s’ politics of Cold War, Pakistan at western side

was essentially a focal point of the Cold War rivals—especially due to
Afghanistan in the aftermath of Soviet invasion. Pakistan suited well to China’s
strategic interests within South Asia and across the region owing to Pakistan’s
centrally-located position in southern Eurasia; its nearness to the Muslim world
and due to its role in Afghanistan-Iran-Pakistan triangle which held its influence
upon Central Asian Republics, Gulf States, and the Middle Eastern states5.

In 1970’s and 80’s China supported Pakistan especially in the field of

defense. It also provided the economic aid and financial assistance in 1977 to

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overcome economic difficulties and in 1979 to cope up with the Afghan migrant
issue, who came to Pakistan after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Then, the
ending of the cold war and the shifting of the world’s focus from traditional
security to socio-economic matters changed the spectrum of Pak-China
relations. During this period, China maintained a neutral stance over the
Kashmir issue because, it wanted to settle border dispute with India. Yet, India’s
reluctance to sort out Indo-China border disputes had given further boost to
Pakistan-China entente.6 In 1998 nuclear explosions first by India and then by
Pakistan, China held that India's nuclear explosion test had created a threat of
War in the region and it had damaged the atmosphere of trust among the two
nations7, while it kept quiet over Pakistan’s explosions. The dawn of the new
century further strengthened their ties.

Importance of China
China is a state that is bordering the fourteen countries of the world,
namely Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Korea, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Russia and Tajikistan. China is a
peace loving nation and they believe that peace with neighboring countries is
vital for their own security and well-being8.

The pace of Chinese progress is so fast and its progress is not limited
only till China but it is recognized internationally. It is contributing a lot more
for regional integration and for integration of the economies of the friendly
states. This century is said to be of Asians due to shifting of world political focus
from Europe to Asia, and due to the rise of Asian powers like China, India, etc.
There is increased US presence in the region that is on one hand to constrain and
counter increased Chinese influence and on the other to have access and control
over the untapped resources of Central Asia. US’s defence pacts with Australia,
South Korea, Japan, India and ASEAN states are steps to contain China’s
increasing power and influence in Asia Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. On the
economic front, the US and its allies (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan,
Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam)
were negotiating and successfully signed Trans-Pacific Partnership was signed on
6 October 2015, aiming to strengthen US business opportunities in the region
and counter China–ASEAN trade9.

Keeping in view the regional and global dynamics, China has tried to
pacify its image by replacing the term “Rising China” with the Peaceful Rise of

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China. It is making its advances to engage the states with whom it was having
hostile past like India and Japan.

Pakistan’s Importance for China

Pakistan due to its the strategic location as a gateway to the Strait of
Hormuz (which enjoys strategic importance) in the Indian Ocean, blessed with
natural resources and sharing of borders with two Islamic countries, Afghanistan
and Iran, has always been a center piece for Regional Politics 10. Like China,
Pakistan has always supported China in its times of crises. During the isolation
period of China, Pakistan supported China and played a vital role in establishing
its relations with the US.

During his visit to Pakistan in 2013, Chinese Prime Minister made it

clear that the development of China cannot be separated from the friendship
with Pakistan.11 To make the friendship more strong, the Chinese Prime Minister
gave a proposal which emphasized "strategic and long-term planning",
"connectivity and maritime sectors" and "China-Pakistan economic corridor
project". China has a great strategic interest in the Silk Road and Gwadar. In the
same year 2013, president Xi Jinping presented China’s vision for a “Silk Road
Economic Belt” during a speech in Kazakhstan. The basic idea of this project was
to increase and expand the cooperation and develop economic ties for the
development of the Euro-Asia region12.

The strategic location of Gwadar is very important because it lies on the

gateway to the Strait of Hormuz. It is situated at a point that can link three
regions i.e. Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Gwadar port provides
the shortest, cheapest and a safer route through Karakoram Highway (KKH).
Currently, China is dependent on the Gulf oil that has to follow a strong route
through the Strait of Malacca that is under US influence and after reaching
China’s east coast, it has to travel thousands of miles for reaching west of China.
China relies on the Middle Eastern oil reserves, under CPEC Pakistan would give
a naval base to China at Gwadar Port to minimize the cost of transportation of
oil to China.

China is highly sensitive over the growing partnership between India

and US that is aimed at encirclement. China’s increasing influence and power in
Asia. To counterbalance this problem, Pakistan is a best alternative who has
supported Chinese stance right from its inception. Pakistan played an active role

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in normalization of US China relations and also supported its stance on Tibet

and Taiwan’s issue. Pakistan has never sit behind to extend its support to China.
So, Pakistan is a very important state for China. China favors stable, prosperous
Pakistan, and helps Pakistan to come out of extremism and terrorism menace as
these issues have its spillover effects over China. China fears the rise of terrorism
and extremism in its Muslim majority Xinjiang province.

U.S. has been making use of India for advancing its interests in South-
Asia. In fact, it has been a tactic to pressurize China and put down its rising
power. China’s pace of progress is so fast in every field of life and in order to limit
it, U.S. has developed strategic partnership with India that has been evident from
Indo-U.S. nuclear deal 2005, maritime strength and moving forward towards the
New Silk route. Against this background, China-Pakistan partnership becomes a
necessity to maintain the balance of power in Asia, and to tackle the moves India
and U.S. have been making against Pakistan and China. Pak-China friendship has
also been very unique in the sense that both the states are ideologically different,
having different administrative set-ups and have formed such a lasting and
durable partnership between them.

China has supported Pakistan's stance regarding Osama Bin Laden and
defended that Pakistani government may not have known about Laden's
presence on its soil.13 During his April 2015 visit to Pakistan, President Xi publicly
stated that Pakistan has played a productive role to resolve the Afghan problem
and that China would continue to cooperate with Pakistan to promote the
reconciliation process to ensure the peaceful transition of Afghanistan 14.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Cooperation &

Opportunities
CPEC is a project of $46 billion that is under progress. It consists of a
3,000-km, long extensive network of roads, railways, pipelines, special economic
zones, dry ports and other infrastructural projects across Pakistan. The idea of
CPEC dates back to the Musharraf era and gained popularity in May 2013 when
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed the agreement for the construction of the
CPEC during his visit to Pakistan.

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Operational Activities of CPEC

The game changer project of CPEC has been operational and it’s first
ever trade activity took place on 31st October, 2016 when the hundred Chinese
containers reached at the Sust port in Gilgit Biltistan 15. The First operational
activity at the Gwadar port took place on 13 November, 2016. Three conveys of
containers originated from Sust, Sailkot and Lahore reached at Quetta by
following the different routes, from where they moved to Gwadar through N 85
Highway.

Response of Regional States

CPEC is not a project that is only limited to Pakistan and China rather it
is an international project. Being a multidimensional mega project it will change
the regional dynamics through its road networks, energy projects, trading
conveys and people to people contacts in the coming years. International as well
as regional countries are taking interest in the project. Some are attempting to be
a part of the project while others are viewing it as prosperity gate for China and
Pakistan only.

Afghanistan is the landlocked country and CPEC has operationalized

the Gwadar port first time in its history. Being a bordering state, CPEC appears
likely fruitful for Afghanistan, if it becomes a part of this project. Afghanistan’s
Ambassador to Pakistan said that, Kabul will obviously want to become the part
of CPEC and it is equally important for Afghanistan as it is for Pakistan. It will
enable Afghanistan to recover the damages of the decade’s long war. 16 The
western route of CPEC will connect Pakistan and Afghanistan through Chaman
and it will provide the shortest transit route between the two countries.

US and India views Pak-China Partnership

United States Views
US does not openly oppose the idea of CPEC and a US State Department
official said," we very much support and share the idea of regional economic
connectivity. Fundamentally, we hope that eventually not only Pakistan and
China, but other neighbors, particularly Afghanistan would be a part of it. 17 But,
US has concerns about the project, due to its strategic interests in Central Asia
and close proximity of this region to Russia, Iran, and China. 18 It keeps an eye
over the resources of energy rich states of Central Asia. That’s why US makes use
of all the instruments of power-diplomacy, information, military, and economic

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to pursue these interests. Pakistan is a state who facilitated the establishment of

the relationship between two erstwhile enemies the US and China during the
cold war era. The sole super-power US sees the rise of China with caution.
Ideological and territorial conflicting relations between China and the former
Soviet Union have given way to cooperative ties between Pakistan and China.
China and India fought a war in 1962, have since stabilized their relationships,
the casus belli, i.e., the unresolved border dispute notwithstanding” 19. All these
factors lead to the closing together of India and US for their interests that is
problematic for Pakistan and China. The growing cordiality between U.S. and
India has been disturbing the balance of power in South Asia in favor of India
which is directly effecting Pakistan and China 20.

In the last thirteen years during its global war on terror, US has
supported Pakistan by providing $10.5 in economic assistance, $ 7.6 billion
security assistance and $13 billion as a reimbursement for counterterrorism 21.

It shows that US wants to contain China and is cynical of the rising

partnership between Pakistan and China and wants to dissuade both the states
from this cordiality. Pakistan owing to its geo-strategic location in South Asia has
been an important player in world politics. U.S. has always exploited Pakistan for
the pursuance of its strategic interests. After the fulfillment of these interests
Pakistan is left alone to cope up with the whole situation. As being the front line
ally of the US and after sacrificing a lot in terms of material and human
resources. Pakistan has now developed the feeling to explore other foreign policy
options like the growing partnership between Pakistan and China and Pakistan
and Russia, in order to survive and act according to its national interests, yet this
partnership is viewed with skeptical eyes.

In 2011, US gave the idea of New Silk Road Initiative (NSRI) and the
basic aim behind this initiative was to integrate Afghanistan with the region and
to link the regions of south and central Asia. All this would be done through
regional energy markets, trade and transport, increase their customs and border
operations and people to people contacts. 22 CPEC is also for integration and it is
integrating China and Pakistan currently and other states like CARs,
Afghanistan, Iran, Russia are showing their interest and taking initiatives to be a
part of this mega project. Russia has sent its elite forces for military drills in GB
and FATA to support CPEC. It seems that the US role from South Asia is likely to
decrease due to China’s presence as a balancer and CPEC might also challenge

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the US influence on the oil CARs, yet the strong US-India partnership can't be
ignored in this regard, as both countries have developed strong strategic,
economic and political partnership. While, Pakistan is viewed only through a
security lens and in the future US and India may work together to contain
China's role in the region.

India’s View
India keeps a strict watch over China’s developments. Though, the thaw
is coming in India-China relations as both are engaging in successful diplomatic
engagements, India is cautious and suspicious enough over every China’s moves
to Pakistan. For India and China, the point of annoyance is the balance of power
considerations, although both put down this proposition 23. It is attempting its
best to disrupt and damage China-Pakistan cordiality through its antagonist
diplomacy.”24 It sees the growing warmth between Pakistan and China as an
attempt to counter India. It considers that China avoids discussion over the
nuclear issues with India having the fear that it will give de facto recognition to
Indian nuclear power status.

India is having the aims of getting the regional superiority in South Asia
and China Pakistan cooperation is a direct challenge to Indian hawkish policies.
Indian Prime Minister is openly criticizing CPEC and says that it poses a great
threat to the Indian interests because it passes through the disputed areas of
Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan that is very near to Indian borders.25 India and
China both are energy consumers and both are emerging economies.

India considers CPEC as a thorn in its paw, has chalked out new ways to
put obstacles in the smooth implementation of CPEC. Indian intelligence agency
Research and Analysis Wing’s (RAW) opening of an office in Delhi and allocation
$300 million to disrupt the projects associated with CPEC 26 has been a clear
indication of Indian plans and actions. Pakistan has handed over Gwadar port to
China and India feels perturbed due to the edge China will get in the Arabian
Sea.

Evidences suggest that India has been involved behind the Baluchistan’s
insurgency, the province that is abundant in oil and gas reserves. India strongly
object to the civilian nuclear deal between China and Pakistan on the charge that
it would violate international protocol related to trade of nuclear equipment and
materials27.

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India develops new ties with Iran and this Indo-Iran nexus is founded to
counter the CPEC. Indian Prime Minister in his historic visit to Iran in May 2016
showed his deep interest in Chahbahar Port and signed MOU for the
development of port. India, Afghanistan and Iran has signed a trilateral treaty for
developing the port and other projects 28 . India is renewing its relations with
UAE, Prime Minister Modi visited UAE and both countries vowed to establish
the infrastructural investment fund and aim of reaching the target of 75billion. 29
All this has been done to counter and contain the Pak-China partnership and
particularly CPEC.

Analysis & Conclusion

China and Pakistan will continue to be time-tested in the contemporary
world. In order to sustain this cordiality, both the countries need to work more
closely to counter the hurdles, enemies posing in their way to distract them from
each other. The competitors like India and US will continue to not only suspect
this growing cordiality, but will attempt to contain it. Evidences suggest that
Chinese developmental projects and efforts have proven more beneficial and
fruitful than US support to Pakistan. It is due to the fact that Pak-China
partnership is based on development and cooperation while the US-Pakistan
partnership is security driven. Under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act, the US has
provided the civilian assistance of $5 billion but, the scale of China's investments
suggests that it will be more effective for the economy of much more than the US
civilian aid. So, Pakistan should now say “no more” to the U.S. in response to “do
more” demand. Instead of relying and looking towards the US, Pakistan should
work closely with its all-time tested ally China.

Both countries have proven committed, reliable and friendly towards

each other in the times of crises. Pakistan has always supported China and China
has understood Pakistan’s sensitivity and security vulnerability vis-à-vis India. To
make their ties more concrete, strong, meaningful, and mutually beneficial,
Pakistan needs to develop an independent Foreign policy on the basis of its
national interest and needs to relinquish its “YES SIR” approach to U.S. orders.
China has been propelling Pakistan, in order to sustain it further on a good note,
Pakistan needs to stay very active and vigilant in the light of internal and
external dangers, and otherwise in the future China might have other priorities
as well as alternatives.

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NOTES

1
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3
Abdul Sattar, “Relations with China and other Developments”, Pakistan’s Foreign Policy 1947-
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6
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26
MussaratAbid& Ayesha Ashfaq, “CPEC: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan”, Accessed
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