As US withdraws aid to Pakistan, China swoops in
US-Pakistan ties seem to be under significant strain following President Donald Trump's outburst against Islamabad on Twitter and subsequent cutting of financial aid. However, this has paved way for China and Pakistan to move closer through boosting their economic and defense ties. According to a media report, Beijing is planning on acquiring a Pakistan's military base near Chabahar in Iran. Here's more about it.
US suspended over $1bn in security aid to Pakistan
On 5th January, taking a strict stand against Pakistan's support for terrorism, the US suspended more than $1.15bn in security assistance to the South Asian nation. Pakistan will get the funds if it shows visible anti-terror measures, the US asserted. This comes right after it placed Islamabad on a "Special Watch List" for failing to safeguard religious minorities.
What context is this happening in?
The US has been toughening its stance against Pakistan for not acting against home grown terror. Along with India, Washington was outraged at Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Hafiz Saeed's recent release from house-arrest and his subsequent announcement to contest in elections. Meanwhile, China has been forging economic ties with Pakistan under the rubric of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), much to India's chagrin.
But, what does China plan to do?
The report which appeared in Chinese state-run daily, Global Times attributes Islamabad's decision to allow Chinese currency in bilateral-trade to the prevailing bad climate in US-Pakistan relations. China has reportedly boosted investments in CPEC. The report also quoted a source stating that Beijing and Islamabad are setting up a military-base in Jiwani located close to the Indian port in Chabahar, Iran.
