ISAS Working Papers

Sino - Pakistan relations stand out as one of the few enduring friendships that have withstood the pressures of time and shifting geo - strategic conditions. This paper discusses the defence and security dimensions of the Sino - Pak relationship which have been based on shared strategic interests and geo - political goals. It analyses some of the important political and geo - strategic issues affecting this relationship. The paper also looks at the regional and international dimensions, in particular the relevance of India and the United States to Sino - Pak relations. It examines the trajectory of Indo - US strategic ties and the downward spiralling of US - Pak relations which triggers its own logic on Sino - Pak security dynamics. The paper argues that as long as India - Pak istan peace process remains grounded on the issue of terrorism and Kashmir, and Pakistan ' s relations with US are a downward spiral, Pakistan would continue to view China as its most strategic ally in counterbalancing India, and to some extent the US. China will also have an inherent stake in shoring Pakistan ' s political and military stability in terms of its long - term security interests in the South, Central and Western Asian region, and checking the rising presence and power profile of the US. Finally the paper concludes that notwithstanding some strains and pressures in the relationship, Sino - Pak friendship will endure in the foreseeable future.