Latest news with #China-PakistanEconomicCorridor
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dar defends decision to nominate Trump for Nobel prize
ISLAMABAD: Defending the decision to nominate US President for Nobel Peace Prize, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan still backs its choice and considers Donald J Trump as a 'Man of Peace'. 'The decision rests with the Norwegian committee. We are uncaring to the outcome, having only acknowledged what Donald Trump initiated,' Dar told this during a news conference here at the Foreign Office (FO) on Friday to brief the media about his recent multi-nation foreign tours. The foreign minister clarified that both the government and the establishment recommended US President for the peace prize in a letter signed on June 11. 'We consider Donald Trump the 'Man of Peace' and I myself signed the nomination letter,' he remarked. Pakistan recommends US President for Nobel Peace 'Donald Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in raising the Kashmir issue, as this matter had been sidelined since the former US President Bill Clinton era,' Dar added. He; however, claimed that Trump's willingness to arbitrate to settle Kashmir dispute and assure a peaceful resolution marked a significant shift in global perception. He stated that a tariff accord with the United States is set to be announced on 'win-win' basis. Dar announced that China has principally agreed to Pakistan's proposal to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. In addition, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are set to sign a trilateral railway framework agreement with Afghanistan in the near future for better regional connectivity and economic cooperation. He said that Pakistan and the UAE have signed a protocol during the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting in Abu Dhabi for visa exemption for Pakistan's diplomatic and official passports holders. With regard to economic cooperation, the Emirate leadership has agreed to invest in Pakistan in a manner similar to its previous deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan, Dar said. He disclosed there were positive developments in long-stalled negotiations with Etisalat to settle the issue pending for last 18 years. To a query, Dar said Pakistan continues to plead for improved visa processes for its citizens. Responding to questions, DPM/ FM reiterated that Pakistan did not seek or begged a ceasefire with India but agreed to it in a dignified manner. 'Pakistan is always ready for dialogue— on terrorism, trade, Kashmir, and the Indus Waters Treaty— but only through a composite framework,' he stated. On Israel, he reaffirmed Pakistan's stand, stating there would be no recognition until a two-state solution is realised. Pakistan will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in July, with peaceful resolution of disputes set to be a central theme, Dar announced. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
A China-led trilateral nexus as India's new challenge
Last week, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh held their first trilateral meeting in Kunming, China. The discussions focused on furthering cooperation and exploring the possibilities of deeper engagement. This meeting closely follows another trilateral meeting between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, held in May, with the aim of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and increasing cooperation. These trilaterals, led by China, come at a time of Pakistan's little relevance to the region, India's increasing relations with Afghanistan, and New Delhi's deteriorating ties with Bangladesh. The use of trilaterals underscores China's fresh attempts at making Pakistan a stakeholder in the region and keeping New Delhi preoccupied with immediate concerns. A war that shaped alignments The 1962 war between India and China has largely shaped regional alignments and geopolitics. Following the war, China found Pakistan to be an ally that could keep India engaged with immediate threats and limit it from challenging Beijing's interests, security, and status. On the other hand, Pakistan deemed China to be a country that would unquestionably offer economic and military assistance to support its aggression against India. To date, Pakistan is highly dependent on China for assistance, investments and infrastructure development. In fact, by the end of 2024, Pakistan had a loan of over $29 billion from China. It is estimated that over 80% of Pakistan's arms imports are from China. In addition, China has also shielded Pakistan-backed terrorists at the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral platforms. This camaraderie was largely visible during India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025. China termed India's retaliation to the Pakistan-sponsored attack in Pahalgam as 'regrettable' and urged a political solution and dialogue. It backed Pakistan's stance of initiating an investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. The latest escalation also saw Pakistan deploying various Chinese-made hardware and weapons that ranged from surveillance radars, drones, missiles, guidance systems, and fighter jets. In the immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's Foreign Minister met his Chinese counterpart to reaffirm its 'iron-clad friendship.' The trilateral with Afghanistan and other countries likely emerged from this meeting. The resurfacing of an idea This idea of China and Pakistan using plus one against India is not a new phenomenon. Even in 1965, Pakistan flirted with the idea of using East Pakistan, China and Nepal to cut off India from its strategic Siliguri corridor. This idea of using South Asian countries seems to have resurfaced as both China and Pakistan face a confident India. Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks in Uri (2016), Pulwama (2019), and Pahalgam have seen India retaliate in a befitting manner. It has shown that India will no longer tolerate Pakistan's nuclear blackmail. India has also used its diplomatic clout and growing economy to isolate Pakistan. India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, halting trade, restricting port access, and targeting military installations — all as a part of its retaliatory measures against the Pahalgam attack — has damaged Pakistan military's operational capacities and confidence, highlighting Rawalpindi's limitations and weaknesses. India's military and diplomatic responses to Chinese border intrusions in Doklam and Galwan have also likely taken Beijing by surprise. New Delhi has also increased close cooperation with like-minded countries to limit Chinese aggressions. At the same time, India's pragmatic engagement and domestic politics of the region have slowed down China's momentum in South Asia. In the Maldives, Beijing appears reluctant to trust President Mohamed Muizzu and the country's economy, despite his initial anti-India rhetoric. Mr. Muizzu has now turned to India to keep the country's economy afloat. In Nepal, despite signing the framework for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, major differences in funding remain unresolved and the progress of projects has been slow. In Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is developing close ties with India by respecting its redlines. Despite ideological and historical differences with Delhi, he visited India before China. In the case of Bangladesh, despite differences, India has not hindered the trilateral energy cooperation with Nepal. These increasing anxieties are likely to have motivated China to push for trilaterals with Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Before their respective regime changes in 2021 and 2024, both countries were staunch supporters of India's fight against both Pakistan and its state-sponsored terrorism. With the change in regimes, however, Pakistan and China have attempted to draw both countries closer to their orbit. They remain cautious of pragmatic engagement between India and the Taliban, fearing that Pakistan would lose its leverage. At the same time, Pakistan has increased security, economic and political engagements with the new government in Bangladesh. Historically, both Bangladesh and Afghanistan have enjoyed close ties with Pakistan and provide a fertile ground for cross-border terrorism. Pakistan's influence, supported by China and its economic clout, could thus create new terror and security-related challenges. This will help Pakistan become a relevant country in the region, create rifts between India and its neighbours, and keep Delhi preoccupied with immediate security and terror-related challenges, making way for Chinese BRI projects, interests and investments in the region. China efforts and setbacks The developments in the region demonstrate, once again, that China, and not Pakistan, is India's biggest challenge. With both Pakistan and China confronting a confident India, China sees an opportunity to challenge India through the trilateral nexus. At a time when India is seeking support from South Asian countries to fight terrorism, Chinese efforts will create new setbacks. South Asian countries will thus have to learn to balance between India and China, as Beijing uses Islamabad to create new complexities in the region. On its part, Delhi will have to continue to express redlines and convey the point that any misadventures by its neighbours could have severe economic, military, and political costs. Harsh V. Pant is Vice-President, Observer Research Foundation. Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy is Associate Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies, Observer Research Foundation
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan-China Game Plan Foiled: Why India Refused To Sign SCO Joint Statement
Last Updated: Rajnath Singh's dissent at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet signals India's growing resolve to call out terror sympathisers, even on multilateral platforms In a major geopolitical move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's refusal to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) joint statement has exposed deep divisions within the grouping, dealt a blow to China's leadership credibility, and derailed a coordinated strategic narrative pushed by Beijing and Islamabad. Singh is currently in China's Qingdao to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. The summit is being attended by member states, including Russia, Pakistan and China, to discuss issues related to regional and international security. This marks the first time in the history of SCO that a joint communique was not adopted, signalling a serious fracture in consensus. Intelligence sources tell CNN-News18 that India's dissent was not a procedural objection, but a calculated disruption of what was a China-Pakistan strategic objective to corner India diplomatically. Rajnath Singh refused to sign the joint statement because it made no mention of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives, and failed to reflect India's strong position on terror. While skipping any mention of Pahalgam, the document mentioned Balochistan, tacitly accusing India of creating unrest there. Pahalgam's exclusion from the document appears to have been done at Pakistan's behest as its all-weather ally, China, currently holds the SCO Chair. What China And Pakistan Were Planning The plan was to reclaim victimhood by showcasing unrest in Balochistan as proof of India's interference, thereby justifying crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in the region. India's refusal effectively derailed this narrative offensive, sources said. Intelligence Dossiers, Satellite Proof Shared India had in advance shared intelligence dossiers and satellite imagery with SCO members, providing hard evidence of Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism. These included updates on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and proof of state complicity in sheltering terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Despite this, China, as chair of the summit, attempted to sideline India's terrorism narrative and position Pakistan as a responsible ally. According to intelligence sources, China has consistently resisted acknowledging India's right to defend its sovereignty or to call out Pakistan's terror record, even when presented with hard evidence. China In Pakistan's Trap? The exclusive inputs reveal that China has walked into Pakistan's double game. With a $62 billion investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under threat from rising insurgency in Balochistan, China is now deflecting blame and pushing to internationalise Balochistan as a conflict zone, conveniently avoiding any conversation around Uyghur oppression and its own double standards on terrorism. On the other hand, Pakistan is desperate to avoid scrutiny over its terror infrastructure, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which drew sharp international attention. Intelligence sources say Islamabad wants to divert the global spotlight from its deepening terror links and India's Operation Sindoor, using SCO as a stage for a diplomatic cover-up. Strategic Disruption, Not Procedural Dissent India's refusal to sign the joint statement wasn't just procedural dissent, it was a strategic disruption, as per sources. The move ensured that Pakistan and China's joint narrative did not go unchallenged or get legitimised by consensus. With this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has not only stalled a dangerous China-Pakistan diplomatic gambit, but also reinforced India's uncompromising position on terrorism, sovereignty, and regional integrity. The SCO's credibility has taken a hit. Its image as a consensus-driven body has been tarnished, and for the first time, its joint voice has been disrupted — a strong signal that India will not tolerate whitewashing of terrorism, even at multilateral forums. First Published: June 26, 2025, 14:12 IST News india Pakistan-China Game Plan Foiled: Why India Refused To Sign SCO Joint Statement | Exclusive
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
A strategic triad rewiring Eurasia
The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@ Listen to article On May 28, 2025, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan gathered in Lachin to formalise a trilateral partnership that could reshape how countries in this region trade, cooperate and respond to crises. This wasn't just another summit. It was the beginning of a serious effort to build a new kind of regional alliance - one rooted in shared history, mutual respect and a desire to chart a more independent future. At the heart of this vision is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Originally a bilateral project between China and Pakistan, CPEC is now evolving into something much larger. The plan is to connect it with the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, creating a seamless land bridge from Gwadar to Istanbul via Baku. That's not just a logistical improvement -— it's a strategic shift. In an era where global supply chains are vulnerable to disruption — from Red Sea piracy to Indo-Pacific militarization — land-based corridors offer resilience, speed and autonomy. The proposed tri-corridor integration could reduce cargo transit time from China to Europe from 35-40 days to just 15-18 days, while slashing freight costs by up to 15%. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper narrative: the emergence of a multipolar Eurasia, where regional actors assert agency through cooperation rather than dependency. The Lachin Summit laid out a comprehensive framework for trilateral cooperation across energy, defense, crisis response and diplomacy. That vision is already taking shape: Pakistan has exported over 100 JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, cementing a strong defence partnership. On the energy front, Azerbaijan's hydropower capacity — exceeding 1,000 megawatts — could help develop a regional energy grid that includes Pakistan. Türkiye, with its modern infrastructure and transit corridors, provides a natural gateway to European markets hubs. Economically, Pakistan and Türkiye have set a targeted bilateral trade goal of $5 billion, with prospects for expansion through trilateral mechanisms involving Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's LNG exports to Pakistan are shaping a new East-West energy corridor. With these three countries connected through CPEC, the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Route, the population impact stretches across 1.5 billion people — turning this trilateral framework into a strategic and economic force across the wider Eurasian region. To understand why this matters, it helps to look back. The ancient Silk Road once connected China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, allowing goods, ideas and cultures to flow freely. What we're seeing now is a modern revival of that vision — but with new players and new priorities. At the same time, we must remember the lessons of dependency theory which warns that countries that rely too heavily on external powers often find themselves trapped in cycles of underdevelopment and political vulnerability. This new alliance is, in many ways, an attempt to break that cycle. Of course, there are challenges. The global balance of power is shifting. The US-China rivalry, Russia's evolving role in Central Asia and India's assertive diplomacy — all create uncertainty. There's also the risk of overextension — building and maintaining thousands of kilometers of infrastructure is no small task. And political changes in any one of the three countries could slow progress. But the potential rewards are worth the effort. For Pakistan, this alliance offers more than just economic benefits. It provides a stronger voice on the world stage, greater energy security and a chance to move beyond traditional dependencies. For Azerbaijan and Türkiye, it's an opportunity to deepen their influence in South and Central Asia and to work with a partner that shares their concerns on issues like Kashmir and Karabakh. So what needs to happen next? First, the alliance should establish permanent mechanisms for coordination - something more than just occasional summits. Second, it should invest in digital infrastructure to make trade faster, more transparent and more secure. Third, it should focus on people-to-people ties: student exchanges, academic networks and cultural programmes that build trust and understanding from the ground up. This triad also has the chance to lead by example on multilateral platforms like OIC, ECO, SCO and the UN. At the 51st OIC Summit in 2025, Azerbaijan reiterated its support for Pakistan's position on Kashmir. That kind of diplomatic alignment can amplify each country's voice and help shape a more balanced global order. In the end, this isn't just about roads, railways or pipelines. It's about rewriting the rules of how countries in our region work together. It's about learning from the past — both the promise of the Silk Road and the warnings of dependency theory — and building something better. If the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan alliance can stay focused, flexible and fair, it could become one of the most important stories of our time.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC projects
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan's commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a flagship project of the longstanding strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing. In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, the prime minister reiterated support for the timely implementation of key infrastructure schemes, including the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway upgrade, the Karakoram Highway expansion, and the development of Gwadar Port. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, talks also touched on broader cooperation in agriculture, industry, and information technology. 6th China-S Asia Cooperation Forum held in Kunming: Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to high-quality development of CPEC PM Sharif conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and expressed hopes for the successful convening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which Pakistan is expected to attend later this year. Consultations are currently under way regarding the prime minister's planned visit to China, likely to take place in late August. The prime minister thanked Beijing for its continued financial and economic support, which he said had contributed significantly to stabilising Pakistan's economy and improving its macroeconomic indicators. Regional security was also discussed, particularly recent developments in the Iran-Israel conflict. Ambassador Jiang praised Pakistan's role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy in international forums, including the UN Security Council. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination ahead of the SCO summit, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace, development and regional connectivity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
