CHINA’S STRATEGIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

This paper examines the principle propositions of current literature on China’s strategic and commercial relations with Pakistan vis-à-vis China’s rising demand for energy needs to become an economic power as well as to counter India’s hegemony. Both states have developed bilateral relations in line with their domestic and international political environment. The paper also highlights the interactive proposition of China’s relations with Pakistan, like the current debates on the implications of China’s relations with Pakistan for regional and international actors. In this backdrop, points of differences exist in India and the US politicians, policy makers and academics towards China and Pakistan strategic relations. The paper responds to the questions: Why China-Pakistan strategic partnership grew and what were the opportunities, challenges and prospects? How the successive governments both in China and Pakistan maintained the partnership? Has the nature of China-Pakistan strategic partnership transformed and what were the determinants?