The Chinese Foreign Ministry has by far foiled any attempts from Indian side to designate Masood Azhar, chief of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed that is reportedly enjoying a safe haven in Pakistan. In the onslaught of the IAF airstrike on Balakot, Pakistan, China has tendered no words of sympathy or concern for Pakistan which left Pakistan numb-hearted.
Beijing, reportedly has issued a statement addressing Islamabad that Pakistan should not expect any support from China in its conflict with India. Further, Beijing added that it will provide its backing in only limited sectors such as economic development. China responded to India’s retaliation and act of destroying the terror training hub in Balakot through the powerful airstrike with utmost respect.
China is visibly inclining towards strengthening its bilateral ties with India. The Chinese diplomats said that China is vouching for Indian participation in the second belt and road forum in April at a time when many other countries have rejected the ambitious project. The reason why China is expecting Indian presence in the second Belt and Road Forum in April because because it will give another dimension to it which only has China-Pakistan Economic corridor as a showcase project. India, however was absent in the program last year because a section of the Belt and Road passes through POK. India was only the major country to boycott the first meeting of the forum last year although representatives from at least 130 countries were in attendance.
According to the Wikipedia, “Bilateral relations have evolved from an initial Chinese policy of neutrality to a partnership with a smaller but militarily powerful Pakistan. Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, boundary issues resolved in 1963, military assistance began in 1966, a strategic alliance was formed in 1972, and economic co-operation began in 1979. China has become Pakistan’s largest supplier of arms and its third-largest trading partner.”
China has always seen Pakistan as a nation where it can invest and gain control over gradually. Further, establishing a strong friendship with Pakistan is the only means to have access to the vast markets of Central Asia for its goods. That is not all, China has another ineterst, that is to keep its energy highway open which is an alternate route to the Indian ocean.
Now, when no country is immune to the pressures of the national interests, and the whole world is admonishing Pakistan for not taking knee-jerk action against the terrorists, China is backing off from supporting Pakistan in its tiff with India.
You can read the Time of India report here.
