Comparative Study of the US and China's Policies towards South Asia in the 21st Century: Implications for Pakistan

Abstract

Since as a hegemon, the US has dominated the world through its unilateral policies and put diverse effects on different regions. Since 2001, China is emerging as a powerful country on the world stage and increasing its influence in its neighbourhood, especially in South Asia, under Belt and Road Initiative. In South Asia, the US is exploiting Indian skepticism about Chinses policies to get its support against China. The Sino-US new Cold War is on the brink, and South Asia is a potential theatre. The competition has created a precarious situation for Pakistan, and it had to pick options with great care. This paper aims to analyze the US and China's policies in the economic, military and political spheres in South Asia and how their competition or cooperation will affect the region's stability, security, the balance of power and how it will affect Pakistan's policy options.