Pak-China ties a blow to Indian ambitions

Make no mistake in downplaying the significance of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s recent visit to Pakistan. The high level diplomatic visit, a few days after Pakistan’s historic elections, is being hailed as a major step forward in Pakistan-China relations. During the visit, Li assured Pakistan’s new leadership of full Chinese support in meeting all challenges confronted by Pakistan. He was also conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award for boosting relations between the two countries.
During the visit, China and Pakistan entered into agreements covering diverse sectors such as trade, energy, technology and space, maritime cooperation and agriculture. The Chinese leadership also expressed its support to help Pakistan in overcoming the persistent energy shortages and putting the economy right back on track. Most importantly, Pakistan formally handed over the strategic operations of Gwadar Port to China during the visit. This move is expected to have far-reaching implications for the power play in South Asian region.
Located in the troubled province of Balochistan, Gwadar Port is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan approved the port’s transfer from Port of Singapore Authority International (PSA) to a Chinese company on the basis that PSA could not develop or operate the port as desired.
It is worth mentioning that China funded about 75 percent of the $ 250 million initially required for construction of the Gwadar project. Chinese takeover of the Gwadar Port will have both regional and global implications.
Competing for regional dominance against China, India is clearly irked by the development and fears that its interests will face a setback. By maintaining its presence at the port, China will virtually gain control of the Strait of Hormuz, an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf. The Gwadar Port will also reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Karachi as a global trade hub, and may also be used by the country’s military in future.
The cementing of ties between Pakistan and China will most likely deal a significant blow to Indian ambitions of extending its influence beyond the Indian Ocean.
In this perspective, the withdrawal of US-led NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014 is very important and all regional countries share their concerns about this development. Plagued by an internal crisis, a civil war cannot be ruled out in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of coalition forces. Such internal strife has the potential of not only destabilizing Pakistan, but also puts the lucrative Chinese and Indian investments in Afghanistan at risk.
It is no secret that both China and India are engaged in a power struggle to gain deeper influence in Afghanistan. Therefore, Pakistan is hoping to gain full Chinese support to counter the Indian agenda and protect its interests.
However, China is not underestimating the strength of India in the region and is also engaged in broadening its relationship with the country to avoid any regional conflict.
These ties remain exclusive of the Pakistan-China friendship and any attempt by India to disrupt that relationship may further widen the gap between itself and China. In the coming times, it would become clear how the Chinese message of solidarity and strengthening of strategic relations with Pakistan shapes the region.