CSS Notes > China, Pakistan-Russia cooperation – What are its future implications for Pakistan and the Region?
Introduction
Regional and global political repositioning is a reality. Nations alter their diplomatic, political and economic engagements with each other based on their interest. Pakistan is no exception in this regard. The country has been a close ally of the United States but to its offence, Islamabad is shifting its tilt towards Beijing and Moscow specifically for the last few years. This shift of engagement brings Pakistan enormous new opportunities along with some regional and global challenges.
China and Pakistan
China and Pakistan have been economic and political allies for several decades now. They have engaged in multiple economic ventures including the flagship project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).The relations between the two are pacific and free from any serious contention. Their mutual economic interests in the region and across the world have brought them more closes than they ever have been in the past.
Russia and Pakistan
The relations between Moscow and Islamabad have been sort of reborn. Pakistan remained engaged with Russia in multiple economic plans in the past but following 1980s, it has mostly relied on the United States along with giving up strong ties with Moscow. But, now in the background of growing difference between Islamabad and Washington, Pakistan has once again made an effort to reignite the ties with Russia. This can with the recent visit of PM Imran Khan to Moscow where he help meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the moments of Moscow’s attack on Ukraine.
Future Implications from Pakistan-China and Russia Cooperation
The cooperation and growing ties between Pakistan, China and Russia can bring following opportunities at regional and global levels:
- It will open new ways of trade between the three nations.
- Pakistan can utilize the skills, experience and techniques of China along with the energy resources of Russia to make itself prosper and grow in economic terms.
- The new alliance can be utilized to enhance regional trade.
- In political terms, this new cooperation can prove beneficial for Pakistan to lower the impact of Western pressure on Islamabad in different aspects.
- In terms of national security against external threats, this alliance can lead of a collective defense policy between the three nations.
Besides these positive opportunities, the relations between the three nations bring a few challenges as well that need effective consideration. Some of these challenges are as following:
- The cooperation between Pakistan, China and Russia might force Islamabad in any misadventure that the country has faced in the past.
- The alliance might be considered by the West as a challenge to its hegemony in South Asia.
- This cooperation, if promoted in sense of defense and military engagements can invite unwanted attention of the West.
Conclusion
The cooperation between Pakistan, China and Russia bring opportunities as well as challenges. Pakistan needs to adopt and open and cautious policy in this regard. Pakistan needs to utilize economic aspects of this alliance and avoid excessive military engagements which might invite the undesired attention of western powers.