The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been the subject of extensive negotiations between Pakistan and China, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to China and his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang marking significant discussions. During these interactions, both sides reiterated traditional phrases and words, emphasizing that the Pak-China friendship has stood the test of time.
Regarding security matters, Pakistan mentioned security issues in a joint statement with China and, following Shahbaz Sharif’s visit, both countries strongly condemned terrorist attacks on the Chinese convoy project in points 4 and 7 of the joint declaration.
Point 4 specifically highlighted that Pakistan and China expressed their determination to jointly confront terrorism through collaborative efforts beyond various other aspects. However, the Pak-China friendship and CPEC involve other facets worthy of consideration, including America’s foreign policy, notably China’s commitment to the China Containment Policy, which prevents China from progressing in various spheres.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a sequence of these divisions, increasing the balance from global west to global east, and if we talk about AIIB, China and India are standing together, and India and China’s trade volume is more than $100 billion, while many analysts agree that China is now advancing from geo-economics to geo-politics.
It remains clear that every country persists in geo-political affairs to safeguard its economic interests, which inevitably leads to boosting military strength. Upon review of the Pak-China joint statement, Pakistan specifically mentioned security, and Pakistan’s general election was six months ago. Pakistan has not only made efforts to secure security for its citizens but also for external partners like China.
Pakistan has also reviewed its National Action Plan, initially comprising 20 points on how to tackle terrorism, but now it includes 14 points, China is certainly convinced that implementation on these 14 points is essential, with Pakistan encountering some setbacks, and that is why China understands the importance of these points.
Pakistan and other South Asian countries, including India, understand well that the destabilization of this region may have a major objective. It is also evident in the world that Pakistan has participated in the war against terrorism and has also fought with the United States step by step against the Soviet Union, and for this reason, Pakistan is still suffering from a headache.
Because the world’s governments have achieved their goals, it is a matter of concern that Pakistan has become a part of the progress in China’s various approaches, and when announced, it is also carried out.
China and Pakistan understand well that the United States and other Western countries regard CPEC as a common project and when external elements assist Pakistan in terrorist attacks, other countries, such as other countries in the region, would be expected to judge foreign policy.
For example, the leader of the Sikh community was murdered in Canada, prompting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to accuse India’s Narendra Modi government during a standing session of the Canadian Parliament. This incident led to cooperation from the United States in investigating various events, complicating relations between Canada and India to this day.
In this context, Pakistan could also consider naming all such elements while citing Canada as an example. However, public interests play a crucial role in foreign policy and the international community, involving different countries’ mutual relations.
The most critical part of CPEC for the ISI is China’s investment of billions of dollars, which has connected 142 countries worldwide. Therefore, our neighboring country cannot be seen behind these projects or in any way weakened. Our neighboring friendly China knows very well that it can strangle its opponents through maritime routes whenever it wants. Therefore, its biggest benefit is in the safe paths of the CPEC from Gwadar to Teheran. Security of Chinese citizens was also an important issue for Pakistan, on which both countries openly shed light and Pakistan certainly has to do more work which will not only be beneficial for China’s CPEC but will also smooth the way for other investors around the world.
Countries including India need to understand that CPEC will benefit not only Pakistan or China but also other countries in the region and the Western countries and this project can prove to be important and key point for giving a new direction to bilateral relations and mutual interests of many countries in the near future, but before reaping the benefits of BRI and CPEC, all geopolitical conditions are in place. There are big bumps in the way and efforts are being made by the Global West to increase these bumps, it is estimated that before receiving the fruits of BRI and CPEC, there are big shocks in all geopolitical situations and it will be known in the near future and in such a situation, a country like Pakistan will have to move forward with caution.
