NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
International politics is passing through transitory period, as rapidly developing geo-political
differences among global powers in Asia show that the next Cold War is likely to be waged
between the Russia-China alliance and the US-led bloc in Asia, while Pakistan has already
In this regard, US still backs Indian hegemony in Asia to counterbalance China. During
American President Barack Obama’s visit to India, on January 25, this year, the US and India
announced a breakthrough on a pact which would allow American companies to supply New
Delhi with civilian nuclear technology. On November 2, 2010, US agreed to sell India the most
expensive—the new F-35 fighter jets including US F-16 and F-18 fighters, C-17 and C-130
aircraft, radar systems, Harpoon weapons etc. Besides acquisition of arms and weapons from
other western countries—especially Israel, America is a potential military supplier to India. US
also pressurized International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a
waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale. However, US President
Obama also announced $4 billion of new initiatives aimed at boosting trade and investment ties
In this respect, Indian Foreign Mistier Sushma Swaraj was on a maiden visit to China since
January 31, 2015. Along with sideline commitments, she attended 13th trilateral meeting
between China, India and Russia held in Beijing on February 2, 2015. She was having series of
meetings with Chinese leaders in the backdrop of recently concluded visit of US President
In the joint communiqué of their trilateral meeting, the foreign ministers of Russia, India and
China have emphasized cooperation to maintain international and regional peace and stability
and promoting global economic growth and prosperity. But with the support of America, New
Delhi has been playing double game with Beijing and Moscow.
The warming up of Indo-US relations, especially in the nuclear domain poses a direct threat to
Chinese national interests, and both China and Russia feel uneasy over Indian overtures towards
US. Consequently, as part of duplicity, Indian leadership is launching intense diplomatic
activities to conciliate Beijing and Moscow that their overtures to US will not be at the cost of
bilateral relations with Russia and China.
In fact, US in the garb of this controversial deal is enticing New Delhi to assume anti-China role
and would have footprints in India to eavesdrop Chinese activities. China is apprehensive about
the emerging threat, as the intent of President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
quite clear, while mentioning about free sea lanes and air passages in the South China Sea.
Russia, however, remained quiet over Obama’s comments at a press conference in Delhi
slamming President Vladimir Putin’s role in Ukraine.
It is notable that in 2013, during his visit to New Delhi, and after meeting Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said that the two emerging Asian
economies were going to enhance cooperation. No doubt, Beijing wants cordial relationship with
New Delhi. But, India which apparently emphasizes mutual cooperation with China, showing
lethargic approach in the solution of border dispute, has been increasing military build near the
Chinese border, coupled with secret support to the Tibetan insurgents as part of its overt and
In the recent, part, tension arose between India and China when Indian army erected a military
camp in Chumar Sector of Ladakh at the Line of Actual Control (LAC)-disputed border, situated
between the two countries. Similarly, Indian soldiers crossed over the Line of Control (LoC) in
Kashmir on January 6, 2012 and attacked a Pakistani check post, killing one Pakistani soldier.
Afterwards, Indian troops shot dead more Pakistani soldiers on the LoC.
It is mentionable that under the Pak-China pretext, Indian ex-Army Chief, General Deepak
Kapoor, revealed on December 29, 2010 that the Indian army “is now revising its five-year old
doctrine” and is preparing for a “possible two-front war with China and Pakistan.”
Particularly, fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic relationship
with the Third World has irked the eyes of Americans and Indians. Owing to jealousy, America
desires to make India a major power to counterbalance China in Asia.
Besides, it is due to the fact Pakistan has a strategic geo-political location at the corridor of
world’s major maritime oil supply lines, and has close proximity to oil rich Central Asian
countries. Its location could influences Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Besides,
Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with deep Gwadar seaport, entailing
Islamabad’s close ties with Beijing pinches the eyes of the US, India, Israel and some western
countries. Beijing has already invested billion of dollars to develop Gwadar seaport. It is owing
to multiple strategic designs that the US backs India in destabilizing both Pakistan and Iran.
Notably, by rejecting US growing pressure, on March 11, 2013, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali
Zardari inaugurated the gas pipeline project with Iran.
Taking cognizance of the enemy’s intensions, during his trip to Beijing, Pakistan’s Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang signed eight agreements on July
5, 2013 in various fields. The most important one envisages the establishment of China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) between deep Gwadar seaport of Balochistan and the historic Silk
Road city in western regions-Xinjiang of China—connecting to Gilgit-Baltistan through
Khunjerab Pass. Beijing has also offered to build an international airport, while the roads
infrastructure in Gwadar would be connected with the communication network of rest of the
country to facilitate transportation of goods. By rejecting US growing pressure, Pakistan has
handed over the control of Gwader seaport to China.
While, in May, 2013, a day before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Islamabad; Chinese
engineers being driven through Clifton Block-1 in Karachi escaped a major bomb attack. As
regards anti-China diplomacy, Afghanistan has become a hub from where external secret
agencies like Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad have been assisting subversive activities in other
parts of Pakistan—especially in Balochistan through their affiliated militant groups at the cost of
Pakistan, China and Iran. In the past few years, they abducted and killed many Chinese and
It worth-mentioning that during China’s visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel
Sharif, on January 25, this year, China’s Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission Gen.
Fan has assured that China will assist Pakistan in every challenge.
Taking note of US supported Indian plans; Pakistan has also cultivated its relationship with the
Russian Federation. In 2012, Moscow and Islamabad agreed to enhance bilateral relations in
diverse fields. Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in
Islamabad on October 4, 2012, Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov said that the two countries
agreed that they had common goals on regional and current global challenges. Lavrov stated that
Russia supports Pakistan’s stance on Afghanistan by pointing out that any solution imposed from
In 2010, the then Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed Pakistan’s bid to join
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes the former Central Asian
republics as permanent members. Putin also remarked that Pakistan was a very important partner
in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia.
The then President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari participated in the 12th summit of the SCO held
in Beijing. While addressing the summit, hinting out towards Indo-US secret designs, Chinese
president Hu Jintao said, “The international situation has been complex, thus bringing many
uncertainties to the regional situation.” He explained that only when SCO member states remain
united can they effectively cope with emerging challenges. President Putin said, “The SCO
should enhance security cooperation.”
In fact, China, Pakistan, Russia and Iran know that after the withdrawal of most of the NATO
troops from Afghanistan, the US-led NATO has been maintaining military presence in that
country, having eyes on the energy resources of Central Asia, while encouraging Indian role in
It is noteworthy that on July 20, 2011, while hinting towards Pak-China ties, the then US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India to be more assertive in Asia, saying that as
American ally, the country should play more of a leadership role. She explained, “India has the
potential to positively shape the future of the Asia-Pacific.”
Nonetheless, US approach of backing Indian role in Asia would cause imbalance in the region
with serious implications for global security, and will embolden India to attain her hegemonic
designs at the cost of modern world trends such as peaceful settlement of disputes, economic
development and disarmament.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
