China – Pakistan Future Prospects and their Strategic Compulsions

Pakistan and China are known to be strange bed fellows who found themselves in opposite camps in their genesis, Pakistan being a Muslim majority state much dependent on western capitalist powers for her security while China was communist naturally backed by Soviet Russia. Subsequent events clearly imposed strategic compulsions forcing both states to come closer. It took less time for leadership of both countries to realize ground realities and soon a new epoch of mutual understanding and cooperation ensued. Pakistan’s disenchantment with the western block and rising Indian security threats compelled her to seek Chinese assistance. China, on her turn was parting her ways with Soviet Union while seriously concerned about Indian hegemonic designs. Pakistan proved to be strategic asset for China when she played a pivotal role in bridging gaps between China and U.S. the proverbial friendship between the two states has entered into a new phase in the post cold war era. Afghanistan issue and the U.S-India growing ties coupled with Pakistan’s security and energy problems are the issues around which future Sino-Pak relations would revolve.