China, the emerging economic power: options and repercussions for Pak–US relations

Abstract

Washington established relations with Pakistan immediately after the independence when Moscow was diplomatically avoided by Pakistan elite policymakers to opt for one of the superpowers as a need for the Cold War. The article aims to analyses Beijing as an emerging economic power with special reference to Pak–US relations. During and after the Cold War period both the USA and Pakistan have close relations to deter communist expansionism in South Asia and Central Asia but post 9/11 when the US decided to overthrow the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Pakistan aligned its policies and strategies with Washington. Despite Pakistan’s huge sacrifices and loss of life and economic suffering, the US still doubts Pakistan’s intentions. In this backdrop, Pakistan tilted wholeheartedly toward its all-weather friend China for its diplomatic moral, political, and military support.