Pakistan as Ideological Islamic state and relations with China: Historical Perspective

Abstract

The study examines China-Pakistan relations in historical perspective. Pakistan was founded on the basis of the ideology of Islam. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has emerged as China’s closest ally. Pakistan and China got independence after much bloodshed and sacrifices. Chinese adhered to the communist ideology which is opposed to capitalism, while Pakistan followed Islamic principles. Despite having two different and contradictory ideologies, China and Pakistan are not inhibited by barriers to social and cultural differences. The bilateral relations between China and Pakistan gradually grow due to strategic gains for either country overshadowing the cultural and social hindrances and ideological differences. The mutual interest made them all weather friends. Mutual diplomatic interests and pressing regional and international politics brought Islamabad and Beijing adjacent to one another to resolve their issues amicably. So, both countries started to cooperate on the diplomatic front. Pakistan extended its support on each diplomatic front and desisted from intrusive in the internal affairs of China who to is not without problems. China too was in need of a friend and good neighbor in the long struggle of international politics.