SINO-PAK RELATIONS AFTER COLD-WAR ERA: A GROWING STRATEGIC AND MILITARY PARTNERSHIP

Abstract

Pakistan and China share long standing and time-tested friendly relations since 1950s. Since then, both are co-operating and supporting each other on all fronts- political, economic and military. However, the strategic and military co-operation remained at the core of Sino-Pak relations. This Sino-Pak military co-operation which started back in 1965, has increased to the extent that China has now become Pakistans largest arms supplier. Both countries are also co-operating in the field of nuclear and missile technology with China providing expertise, material and technological support to Pakistan. Furthermore, both countries are co-operating on the construction and development of Gwadar port since 2002, which is aimed to contain Indian influence in Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea and to expand Chinas influence in broader Asian region. This paper is aimed to analyze Sino-Pak strategic and military co-operation since 1990s. The paper is also aimed to analyze Sino-Pak co-operation on Gwadar port and its impact on China and Pakistan on the one hand and on India on the other.