|
China’s newly elected President’s recent remarks about carrying forward China-Pakistan relations to new dimensions in the near future does not seem to be merely a customary clamour. When seen in the backdrop of its indulgence with other countries in India’s neighbourhood it gives multi-dimensional indicators to any South Asian analyst. Considering that the bulk of ISAF troops are going to pull out by 2014 from Afghanistan, China seems to be ready with its strategic moves to satiate the arising vacuum. Realising the diminishing interest of US and Russia, Pakistan seems comfortable with its old backdoor ally making overt moves in the region.
The newly acquired warmth between China and Pakistan was further evident at a seminar arranged by the Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chen Jidong, Director, Sichuan University, Chengdu China Pakistan Study Centre,said, “The railway project will connect Pakistan with Xinjiang region in China and enhance the capacity of transportation between the two countries. As per the Express Tribune(A Pakistan Daily) dated 16 March 2013, Jidong claimed that the project has strategic advantage for Pakistan and will build trade and transport corridors by connecting South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and Western China.
Inspite of India’s position over the 1300 km Karakoram Highway project, Pakistan and China have already initiated a dialogue about a railway transportation corridor in the region. With China already having the Gwadar port project in hand, gas/oil pipeline project does not seem too far either. With each new project between Pakistan and China which will pass through the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir(POK), India’s claim over the region will increasingly be contested not just by Pakistan but by China as well.
China’s success story in Myanmar was also scripted on similar lines.In 1990, when India and the world shunned Myanmar’s military regime, China moved swiftly and provided much needed succor to the military Junta in terms of political and economic support. In spite of the past bitterness in their relations, China also supplied large amount of military hardware and training. Politically, China blocked the US backed UN resolution against Myanmar in 2007. As a result, it gained not only close proximity to the regime but went a step closer to the shores of coveted sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean. Immediately after this it bagged the pipeline project from Shwe oil and gas fields of Myanmar to Yunnan province. This was considered to be a big leap towards securing its energy needs for the underdeveloped southern province and would in turn reduce its dependence on Straits of Malacca in future.
Another very recent and noticeable involvement of China is seen in Sri Lanka. While India dithered in either supporting or opposing the US backed resolution in UNHRC, China assured Sri Lanka of its unflinching support.It may be remembered that China had backed Sri Lanka when US had brought a similar resolution of human rights violation and reconciliation with ethnic Tamils in 2012. Recently, Chinese premier gave a verbal assurance to his Sri Lankan counterpart of Chinese support. India’s actions on this score stand in contrast.
China’s indulgence in Nepal is over a decade old and is known to all. Its recent interest in Bhutan too has not gone unnoticed by India. These subtle but strategic moves by China cannot be ignored by India as all its benevolence is directly directed towards India’s immediate neighbours.As far as India is concerned, the writing on the wall is crystal clear; China wants to degrade India’s position as a key player in South Asian affairs.
These developments purportedly are indicative of three specific Chinese aims in the region. One, China wants to juxtapose new markets in the developing economies of South Asian nations with its under developed western and southern provinces namely Xinjiang and Yunnan Provinces and connect them with rail and road communications. Secondly, it apparently aims to display(to US and Europe) its ‘big brotherly’ role in safe guarding the interests of smaller nations in the region. Also, by displaying empathy for the smaller nations in South and South East Asia, it hopes to win their confidence and their markets. While doing so, it is ready to compromise on even the actual situation on ground and turn a blind eye to blatant human right abuses.Thirdly, and of greatest consequence to India, such moves by China are blatant attempt to seriously degrade India’s influence not only in the region but also in its immediate neighbourhood.
Strategically, China’s new found love in South Asia arises from its geo-strategic insecurity due to its land locked south, west and northern fronts. It seems focused on exploring the southern gate into Indian Ocean to open new markets and to fulfill its growing energy requirements from a shorter and secure route. To that end, China will continue to leverage its influence with the smaller countries in the region, some of whom are either unstable of have strong military presence for cheap trade, commerce,military hardware and infrastructure development in terms of construction of roads and laying of pipelines. India needs to be conscious of Chinese designs in the region or risk losing influence in its immediate neighbourhood.
Lt Col Mohinder Pal Singh is presently on study leave at Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Allahabad. Views expressed are personal.
|
