Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 17: As part of its incredibly ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, China has made large investments in the conflict-prone Pakistan-Afghanistan region. According to top diplomatic sources, China intends to station its own military in specifically designed outposts to secure its interests in the two nations.
Through Pakistan and Afghanistan, China hopes to enlarge its influence in central Asia and has made significant investments in both nations.
Amid snooping concerns expressed by India, a Chinese ship equipped to detect satellites and intercontinental missiles arrived at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on Tuesday morning.
Pakistan, whose estimates place Chinese investments at around USD 60 billion, is heavily reliant on China for financial support as well as military and diplomatic assistance.
China has started to exert pressure on Pakistan to enable the construction of outposts where it would station its armed forces because of the extreme power disparity in its favour.
However, Afghanistan, where the Taliban are currently in power, has yet to live up to China’s and Pakistan’s expectations in many ways. According to the source, the Chinese envoy has consistently pressed for the protection of Chinese citizens and projects.
In addition to requesting the use of the Gwadar International Airport for its fighter jets, China has already sought security outposts in Gwadar.
Another insider said that the facility, which can be used for military purposes, will soon be operating as evidenced by its fencing. The Pakistani populace might not be at ease with a significant Chinese military presence there, thus the problem has its own delicate aspects.
There have been worries that the nation is already in a scenario like a debt trap and that Chinese actions may reduce it to the status of a colony. Pakistan is caught in China’s debt-trap diplomacy on the one hand, and the Chinese government is continually telling Pakistan that they do not have faith in the Pakistani security apparatus on the other.
Pakistan does not want to irritate China, whose financial assistance it frequently receives. However, sources who sought anonymity for this study owing to their close connection to decision-makers in the country argue that accepting the demand would not only further damage its reputation abroad but might also result in domestic issues.
Pakistan is in a difficult situation as a result of China’s most recent pressure tactic because whether it complies with the demands or not, it will suffer the repercussions.
