Pakistan and China’s intrest towards Jammu & Kashmir

Pakistan and China’s interests in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are deeply rooted in geopolitical strategies and historical contexts. For Pakistan, J&K holds significant national and strategic value. Since the partition of British India in 1947, Pakistan has considered J&K as a disputed territory that should have been part of Pakistan due to its Muslim-majority population. This belief has driven Pakistan’s military and diplomatic efforts to assert control over parts of J&K, resulting in several wars and continuous skirmishes with India. The region’s strategic location, providing a gateway to Central Asia and its proximity to key military installations, amplifies its importance for Pakistan. Additionally, controlling J&K would provide Pakistan with a significant strategic depth against India, its primary regional rival.

China’s involvement in J&K is multifaceted and stems from both strategic and economic interests. The region of Aksai Chin, part of J&K but controlled by China, is strategically vital for Beijing as it connects Tibet with Xinjiang. This area is crucial for China’s military logistics and its broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to enhance connectivity and economic integration across Asia and beyond. Furthermore, China views its support for Pakistan regarding J&K as a counterbalance to India, which it considers a significant regional competitor. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project, runs through parts of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), underscoring the region’s economic and strategic importance for China.

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), which includes Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is under Pakistan’s administrative control but remains a contentious area claimed by India. Pakistan has sought to integrate these regions more closely through infrastructure development and political reforms, often with Chinese investment and support.

China Occupied Kashmir, specifically the Aksai Chin region, was seized by China during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. India claims this territory as part of its Ladakh Union Territory, but China’s control remains firm due to its strategic utility. The presence of Chinese military infrastructure and the development of the region indicate Beijing’s intention to maintain and possibly expand its strategic advantages in the area.

Conclusion:

In summary, Pakistan’s and China’s interventions in J&K are driven by a combination of historical claims, strategic imperatives, and economic interests. Their actions in the region are part of broader geopolitical strategies to counter India’s influence and enhance their regional standing.