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Nikkei Asia
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
China's SCO leadership is being tested by regional conflicts
Defense ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation nations meet in Qingdao, China, on June 26. © Reuters Hao Nan is a research fellow with the Charhar Institute and a Nuclear Futures fellow (2025-2026) with the Ploughshares Fund & Horizon 2045. On May 7, 2025, India launched missile strikes against Pakistan under the codename "Operation Sindoor," targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Barely a month later, on June 13, Israel conducted unprecedented air strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, prompting a severe regional crisis. Both events unfolded under the watch of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), raising pressing questions about the organization's effectiveness as a regional security platform, especially as China assumes the rotating chairmanship in a year marked by turmoil.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Post India-Pakistan clashes: Pakistan praised for registering diplomatic achievements
BEIJING: Since the India-Pakistan clash in May this year, Pakistan has achieved remarkable diplomatic achievements and successfully shaped a regional situation favourable to itself through a combination of military victories and diplomatic strategies. These views were expressed by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute in a statement here on Sunday. Pakistan achieved an overwhelming victory in the air combat on May 7, which not only shattered India's myth of military superiority in the South Asian subcontinent, but also elevated Pakistan's international status through widespread dissemination in international media. World powers such as the United States and France indirectly confirmed Pakistan's military victory, while India's attempt to downplay its losses has sparked international public questioning, he added. Prof Cheng said that Pakistan's military strength demonstrated in the India-Pakistan clash has enabled it to gain greater bargaining power in subsequent negotiations. For example, India was forced to accept a ceasefire agreement and faced more pressure in the UN Security Council and other forums. Pakistan and the United States have restarted trade negotiations, and the World Bank has pledged to invest $40 billion in Pakistan from 2026 to 2035. Russia and Pakistan have signed a $2.6 billion steel plant agreement. The warming of Russia-Pakistan relations has balanced the traditional alliance between India and Russia, he added. Pakistan has gained widespread support in the Islamic world and the Middle East. Islamic countries such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar have shown firm support for Pakistan. Turkey has raised the target of Turkey-Pakistan trade to $5 billion, and the UAE issues 5-year multiple-entry visas to Pakistanis and has pledged to invest $10 billion in Pakistan. These cooperations not only bring economic benefits to Pakistan, but also strengthen Pakistan's leading position in the Islamic world, he added. Pakistan, he said, has reshaped its peripheral diplomatic landscape. Afghanistan has joined the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the bilateral relations have been upgraded to ambassadorial level, with strengthened cooperation in counter-terrorism and border control. Bangladesh and Pakistan have restored their defence and trade ties that were interrupted for more than 50 years, jointly addressing the pressure of India's regional hegemony. Pakistan successfully classified the conflict as 'Indian aggression' by emphasizing that Indian attacks caused civilian casualties, and exercised its right to self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The United Nations, China, Russia and others all expressed understanding of Pakistan's position, he added. He opined that India has fallen into multiple in multiple passives after the conflict. First, its military deterrence has failed. Although India claims to have struck Pakistan's military targets, it cannot deny the fact of fighter jet losses. Second, international isolation has intensified. India has been criticized for exaggerating combat results in the public opinion war, and faces international criticism of 'water resource war' due to suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Third, its strategic focus is restricted. India is forced to concentrate resources on dealing with Pakistan, indirectly reducing its influence projection in regions such as Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Pakistan has achieved multiple goals including the boost of international status, the enhancement of relations with major powers, and the reshaping of the surrounding geopolitical landscape through a combination of military victory + diplomatic offensive since the India-Pakistan clash in May this. Its achievements are not only reflected in specific agreements and investments, but more importantly, by virtue of strategic flexibility and precise international mobilization, Pakistan has broken the regional hegemonic narrative that India has long maintained, he added.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Modi's threat of water war serious disruption to regional peace, stability: Chinese scholar
BEIJING: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to link 'water rights' with so-called 'counter-terrorism' and Kashmir sovereignty disputes, attempting to use water resources as a weapon to achieve his political and strategic goals, not only goes against humanity, but also seriously violates the basic norms of international relations. This is a manifestation of hegemonism that attempts to achieve its own goals through threats and intimidation. This was stated by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute in a statement here on Saturday. Pakistan will not get water over which India has rights, India PM Modi says At the same time, Modi's threat of a water war against Pakistan is a serious disruption to regional peace and stability, and also damages India's own international image and reputation, which is not conducive to its active role in regional and international affairs. He said that in recent years, extreme nationalism and Hindutva expansionist designs have been on the rise in India. Modi attempts to shape a strong leadership image through this tough stance, catering to Hindutva and extreme nationalist sentiment in the country and garnering more support from domestic voters. In the recent air battle between India and Pakistan, India suffered serious military defeats, including the loss of 5 advanced fighter jets, and Modi's credibility was severely impacted. Meanwhile, India is also facing economic problems such as inflation rate exceeding 9.7% and a sharp drop in the rupee exchange rate, causing dissatisfaction among the public towards the Narendra Modi administration. Modi attempts to shift domestic attention away from his ruling crisis and economic difficulties by making tough statements, directing the focus towards external enemies in order to alleviate domestic political pressure. Prof Cheng remarked that India is located in the upper reaches of the Indus River and has geographical advantages in water resource allocation. The water resources flowing to Pakistan are crucial for Pakistan's agriculture, industry and livelihoods. Modi's threat of 'cutting off water' is intended to use water resources to exert pressure on Pakistan in future negotiations, attempting to force Pakistan to make concessions on core interests. In India, the scandal of India's failure in the Indo-Pak air battle continues to ferment. If not handled properly, it will have a profound impact on India's geopolitics global status and dominance in South Asia. The air battle between India and Pakistan has exposed India's military weaknesses and may also trigger a major crisis in the country's system and military development. The Modi administration attempts to showcase India's tough stance to the international community, restore its image and status in the international community and reduce the negative evaluation of India by international public opinion. In short, Modi's tough stance towards Pakistan is more driven by short-term factors such as domestic political considerations. However, in the long run and in practical terms, this approach will not only fail to solve the fundamental problems between India and Pakistan, but also bring many negative impacts on regional peace and stability as well as India's own development, he added.
