It is no surprise that China has vetoed India’s resolution in
UN for re-arrest of Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 26/11 incident
which claimed more than 160 lives. The victims include nationals from plethora
of countries besides India. Lakhvi was released in April on bail in violation
of the UN resolution (1267) of terrorist organisations and groups. India’s move
for re-arrest of Lakhvi was backed by all the four permanent members except
China. China blocked the Indian resolution on the pretext of failing to provide
enough information. With this China has yet again blocked India’s attempts to
stall Pakistan’s state sponsored terrorism across the borders. Over a period of
its seven decade stint in the UN China has exercised its veto power only 10
times, the lowest for any permanent member. Its proactive stand in halting
Indian proposal thus has a greater significance and forewarns of an impending
strategic manoeuvre.
China the all weather friend of Pakistan has performed a
customised choreographed act. But with its latest move China intends to send a
message to the US whose reputation is at its ebb in Pakistan. Till now both the
US and Pakistan has greatly benefitted from each other’s companionship. Though
the US leadership is unwilling to relent, of late there is a growing tide of
dissent among the security advisers in the US for extending uncanny financial
bounties to the Pakistan. Pakistan has been a base for the US for its alleged
activities in the continent of Asia, more so in restricting the headway of
Russia into Afghanistan. On pretext of being relatively ill equipped to tackle
the Indian Forces Pakistan has smartly milked the US to accumulate weapons and
arms on a large scale. But now the US seems to be slowly losing interest in
Pakistan. Hence the inimical Pakistan is eagerly latching onto China, a
befitting counter to the US. Pakistan in fact wants Beijing to help them in
negotiating with Afghanistan and Taliban to completely strangle out India’s
alliance with Afghanistan. Also, with
Indo-US ties reaching all time high, China has become unequivocally generous
towards Pakistan to contain the perceived Indian threat.
While this is not the first time that China has shielded
Pakistan, the veto coming just days after Indian operation across the Myanmar
borders raises serious doubts about the intentions of the China-Pakistan duo.
The resolution against the UN designated terrorist was backed by 14 of the 15
members in the UN Security Council. Previously China blocked sanctions against
Jaish-e- Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar in 2009. In December 2010 they prevented
the UNSC from imposing sanctions on Hafeez Saeed and Jamat-ud Dawa and earlier
this year they blocked Indian appeal to include Hizab-ul Mujahideen Chief Syed
Salahuddin in the terrorist list. These dubious stances of China clearly
reflect its desperation to maintain abiding friendship with Pakistan. China and
Pakistan would continue to be unrivalled partners due to their enmity with
India. Chinese disgruntlement towards India partly stems from its joint oil
exploration with Vietnam in the South China Sea.
The Pakistan-China diplomatic relations were established in
1950, military assistance began in 1966 and friendship deepened as Pakistan
facilitated the Nixon-Mao meeting in 1972 which helped China to resurrect from
a phase of its diplomatic isolation. Subsequently economic cooperation took off
in 1979 and currently China is the largest arms supplier and third biggest trading
partner of Pakistan. Fostering friendly relations with China has been the most
vital aspect of Pakistan foreign policy.
Pakistan was a key country during Afghan Taliban war at a
time when China had severe bickering with Russia. Pakistan’s confrontation with
Soviet Union won the hearts of the Dragon. Consequently, it helped Pakistan
acquire nuclear capability and missile capability through North Korea. In the
aftermath of Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 besides Cuba, Pakistan stood by
China and now it largely supports China on the issues of Xinjiang, Taiwan and
Tibet. In turn China supports Pakistan’s claims over Kashmir. Further Pakistan
acts as a bridge for China to reach out to the Muslim nations. Apart from these
strategic alliances both nations have an ongoing free trade agreement. The
generous $46 billion Chinese investments announced by President Xi on his
recent visit to Pakistan testimonies the profligate friendship. With an eye on
gaining access to Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean China has offered to developed
the strategic Gwadar port. Plans are underway to increase connectivity and
access to Pakistani territory through the Xinjiang province of China along the
PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). With this China would not only revel in having
gainful access from Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea but also would celebrate
containment of India. While China may be
highly elated at its increasing geographical footprint it failed to factor in
the paranoia and the impact of Pakistani bred terrorists on the brewing
Islamist Movement in its Xinjiang province.
Pakistan now considered a Pariah state is looking forward to
China to avert castigation among coterie of nations. Commentators in West now
draw parallels to mutual allegiances between to these nations to that of
Israel- United States relationship. China has been wooing Pakistan
substantially with matching deals of the kind India obtained from the US. China
seriously considers Pakistan as a regional counterweight to counter India.
Hence China continues to block India’s attempts to enter the Nuclear Supplier’s
Group and adamantly refrained from recommending India’s permanent membership to
UNSC.
India and China reciprocally back each other at international
fora (World Trade Organisation & Environment Councils) and have recently
joined hands to raise alternative financial institutions like the BRICS New
Development Bank and the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) to fund
their infrastructure projects. While the economic cooperation between the
nations is commendable a long term partnership is not feasible due to deep
seated trust deficit. Though India helped China in procuring the permanent
membership in the UN Security Council in 1971 India’s help was blatantly
unacknowledged.
Following the Chinese veto Indian government should wake up
and stop misreading Chinese intentions despite the high-profile and
electrifying reception extended to Modi in Xian Province. While $20 billion
worth business deals were signed between India and China during Modi’s China visit,
major breakthrough wasn’t made on boundary disputes. Also Modi and Premier Li
Keqiang issued a joint statement to counter terrorism but unfortunately China fails
to walk the talk. Thus the noble objective of curtailing the cross-border
movement of terrorists has yet again succumbed to the Chinese intransigence.
Under the reign of President Xi, China embarked on a mission
mode of undeterred aggressive expansionism. In a bid to make its global
presence imminent, it initially befriended India’s neighbours with a promise of
building robust infrastructure. Subsequently it partnered with Russia in
vetoing UN resolution on Syria. Brazenly flouting the international law it
fortified its islands in the South China Sea and intimidated all other weaker
nations who have claims over islands in the South China Sea with its economic
clout. While it has been instrumental in floating two multilateral banks to
counter the West, it indirectly started sponsoring dictatorial regimes across
Africa and in the recent instance it has exercised its veto power to block
Indian resolution. In its frantic mode of extending its muscles over the globe
to emerge as a fledging super power, China is out on a wild run. These efforts
of China are going to be inimical in this increasingly multipolar world. With
the recent instance, China has displayed its unquestionable amity with
Pakistan. But the larger issue remains as how its ambitious plans of building
economic corridor between these countries would progress in safe havens of
terror and how Beijing would handle the simmering radical Muslim movement in
its own backyard.
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