(24News) In the seminar organized by the Institute of International Relations and Media Research on “Possible Common Interests and Foreign Policy of America and China in Pakistan”, the speakers highlighted that Pakistan is one of the powers of America or China. What role can play in bringing them together on many issues rather than compromising their relationship with others?
This seminar on the common interests of the US and China in Pakistan and the way forward for Pakistan was held on Sunday under the chairmanship of foreign affairs expert Syed Muhammad Mehdi. Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Asia Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, Professor Zhao of China Renmin University, Dr. Amjad Magsi, Director of the Pakistan Study Center, and Dr. Waheed Khan were prominent speakers.
Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, said that Pakistan is among the few countries that have good relations with both the US and China. As in the past, Islamabad can act as a mediator between the two biggest polluters on issues such as climate change.
Also, China has significant influence over the Taliban as evidenced by its increased investment in energy exploration projects in Afghanistan while Pakistan has lost influence there. He said that in view of the growing threat of terrorism from Afghanistan in the form of TTP and ISET, China can use its influence on the Taliban for the benefit of not only Pakistan but also the region and the world.
He said the US-China conflict is not a new Cold War situation because nowhere does Washington seem to be trying to contain Beijing as it does between the two warring parties. Rather, the US President’s special envoy on climate change, John Kerry, urged the US administration to end its confrontation with China in order to create an environment conducive to working together on climate change.
He said that Islamabad, being one of the worst victims of climate change, can also play a role in bringing the two countries together on this issue.
Professor Zhao of China Renmin University said that it is not only inevitable and important for Pakistan to develop strategic relations with the United States. He said that the fact that the US competes with China in Pakistan makes it difficult for Islamabad to balance its relations with the two states.
He said that developing strategic ties with China is important for Pakistan but not enough to fully address its economic and security concerns. Therefore, it seems reasonable to argue that Pakistan has no choice but to develop strategic ties with the US to secure its export market and arms supply so that it can compete with India to some extent. can help Although America is not necessarily reliable in this regard, trusting America seems to be a kind of habit of Pakistani politicians.
He said that China will not oppose the development of strategic relations between Pakistan and the United States in any case, but it should not harm Pakistan-China relations and that Pakistan should not have unrealistic expectations from a friendly country.
Mohammad Mehdi started the conversation and said that neither America nor China can deny the importance of Pakistan. Pakistan entering into any defense pact with any one power is a death knell for other powers in the region.
Leaving Pakistan alone to face the threat of growing terrorism is not a solution for US and China as this threat can destabilize the region if not the world.
He said that the India-Pakistan conflict is not only harming both countries but also affecting global trade. If the Kashmir conflict is resolved, it will bring much-needed relief not only to the people on both sides of the border but also to the entire world. A trade corridor is being built from India to Israel and Europe under the auspices of the United States, which will pass through the Pakistani seas and will always be unsafe in case of tension between Islamabad and New Delhi.
He said that the shortest and cheapest route for both China and India to get Iranian oil is through Pakistan. Similarly, India can access Central Asian markets only through Pakistan.
He said that although America is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, China invested in Pakistan when no other country was coming forward for this purpose. He believes that through effective diplomacy, relations with both world powers can be balanced.
Dr Mugsi said that the positive relationship between the US and China could help maximize the benefits of CPEC and pave the way for increased foreign direct investment in sectors such as technology, infrastructure and energy. A harmonious relationship between the US and China means a stable environment conducive to economic growth, regional stability and lasting peace in South Asia, particularly Afghanistan. Both the US and China can play an important role in bringing Pakistan and India to the negotiating table.
Dr. Waheed Khan, head of the political science department of the University of Central Asia, said that Pakistan cannot remain neutral in the rivalry between China and the United States like during the Cold War. However, he suggested that Islamabad should keep its geo-economic and geo-political objectives separate and make the US and other countries realize that its geo-strategic and geo-political objectives only extend to its borders with India and Afghanistan. Dr. Raza Zaidi of Punjab University also spoke on this occasion.
2024-08-26 04:53:21