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Pakistan-China dialogue strengthens CPEC, trade, and regional connectivity; calls for peace in Afghanistan and balanced economic cooperation in South Asia
The 7th round of Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China has concluded in Beijing. The Dialogue was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue is the highest consultative mechanism focusing on the spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments.
During the dialogue, both sides reaffirmed their commitment towards trade cooperation, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While commenting on international morality and the situation in Venezuela, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “China opposes the use of force in international relations and rejects the imposition of one country’s will on another.” Yi also called upon the international community to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Russia and Iran have criticised the US attack on Venezuela as a violation of sovereignty, while Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has called the US attack “an act of state terrorism” and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro “an unacceptable, vulgar and barbaric kidnapping.”
South Asia is an economically deprived region often construed through the prism of confrontational politics. The region has been in the global limelight due to its proximity to Afghanistan and the wars fought there. In the post-9/11 era, South Asian countries faced the spill-over impact of the war on terror in Afghanistan. During this period, India used Afghan soil against Pakistan.
At present, with CPEC and China’s emerging role in South Asia, the region is being seen in the context of economic connectivity. This is a positive development as it reflects the region’s progress and economic uplift. CPEC foresees a future led by geo-economics. South Asia’s regional connectivity with East and Central Asia will expose the region to industrialisation and technology transfer. Importantly, regional connectivity will allow energy-deficient countries access to energy-rich countries. This energy connectivity will promote inter-regional cooperation.
Regional connectivity is for the region’s economic security and peace. Thus, economic connectivity needs to be prioritised to balance out the confrontational politics in the region
Pakistan’s ties with China and CPEC represent a political-cum-economic opportunity. Pakistan can learn from China’s economic practices and development approach, in particular, innovation in research and development and entrepreneurship initiatives. Skill development is another area where Pakistan can learn from China.
In order to reap the economic dividends of regional connectivity, Pakistan needs to build its economic muscle and diversify its trading ties. Pakistan’s economic engagement with regional countries, as well as the economies of East Asia, will promote Pakistan’s narrative of geo-economics. It will also open up opportunities for educational and technological exchanges.
In the context of South and Central Asian connectivity, Afghanistan’s stability is of utmost significance. Afghanistan’s instability carries a domino impact on Pakistan. Peace in the tribal belt of Pakistan (former FATA) and Balochistan cannot be established without peace in Afghanistan. To achieve a durable peace in Afghanistan, regional and extra-regional players will have to step up efforts towards peace.
In South Asia, to pursue regional connectivity and economic integration, what is needed is a change of mindset with a focus on economic development. The approach that regional connectivity projects are dominated or influenced by a single political actor is not in tune with the essence of trade cooperation.
CPEC will provide China with easy access to the Indian Ocean and will also make Pakistan a trading hub. However, coupling CPEC with China’s dominating role in South Asia would not be correct. Likewise, equating Pakistan’s economic growth with India losing ground in the region would also not be correct. Such approaches only reinforce adversarial tendencies in the region, obstructing progress.
Regional connectivity is for the region’s economic security and peace. Thus, economic connectivity needs to be prioritised to balance out the confrontational politics in the region.
Note: This article appeared in The Friday Times.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are of the author and do not necessarily represent Institute’s policy.