ISLAMABAD: China wants to help ease the long-standing conflict betweenIndia and Pakistan. And it has a plan for it.
Last June, Beijing paved the way for the two countries to join the ShanghaiCooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic and securityorganisation founded by China, Russia, and a number of other Central Asiancounties, Forbes reported.
This year, Beijing wants military personnel from both countries toparticipate in counter-terror exercises under the “Peace Mission 2018.”
There’s an official reason behind Beijing’s plan. The easing of conflictwill foster economic ties between the two countries, the same way easing oftension between China and the US in the 1970s fostered economic relationsbetween the two countries.
But there are a couple of unofficial reasons, too.
One of them is that easing of tensions between the two countries will serveChina’s efforts to complete building of the China-Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC).
That’s the express link between Western China, the Middle East, and Africa– China’s second continent. Ideologically that can explain why Beijing hascommitted $46 billion to the project.
The trouble is that CPEC passes through Pakistani regions claimed by India.That makes it a rough road, to say the least — Pakistan and India continueto fight for control of these regions. That’s why China needs India to makepeace with Pakistan.
Another reason Beijing wants to see peace between the two countries is tofind a market for its products, especially as tensions between China andthe US escalate.
“China has always believed in an economic solution to solve the world’schallenges,” says Vijay Eswaran, Malaysian entrepreneur and Chairman of QIGroup of Companies. “In that context China may be willing to play a role inpotentially improving ties between India and Pakistan” “The ongoing tradethreats from US to China encourage the latter to find a new big market. AndIndia, the largest market for Chinese goods outside of the US is right inits neighbourhood.”
That’s why Beijing wants to use its leverage with Pakistan to easeconflicts between the two countries. But it won’t work, for a couple ofreasons. One of them is that the two countries have a different perceptionregarding what ‘terrorism’ consists of.
Another reason is that China has so far done very little to satisfy India.Quite the opposite: repeatedly blocking India’s efforts to join the NuclearSupplier Group (NSG).
And it has sided openly with Pakistan in the India-Pakistan Kashmirstandoff, as evidenced by statements by China’s senior officials on thesidelines of United Nations General Assemblies.
Then there’s India’s siding with the US in the South China Sea disputes.
The bottom line: Beijing has a long way to go before it can bring India andPakistan to the table and ease long standing conflicts between the twocountries.