News Highlight
Recently, China used its status as a permanent member of the UNSC to put a hold on the UNSC’s listing of Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
Key Takeaway
- Earlier, China had blocked the listing of US designated terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaishe Mohammed (JeM).
- These terrorists are based in Pakistan.
- There is little doubt that China uses Pakistan as a proxy military and nuclear power against India.
China-Pakistan relations
- Military ties:
- Strong military ties have been the bedrock of China-Pakistan relations since the 1960s.
- Around 47% of China’s military exports go to Pakistan.
- Misuse of P5 status in China:
- China’s misuse of its P5 status in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) disrupts collective efforts to counter-terrorism.
- For example, recently, China used its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to put a hold on the UN Security Council’s Al Qaida, and ISIL (Daesh) Sanctions Committee’s terrorist Sajid Mir, one of India’s most wanted in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
- Five permanent members with veto power:
- China.
- France.
- Russian Federation.
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America.
- Missile proliferation:
- The Sino-Pak nexus in nuclear and missile proliferation is recorded.
- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reported that between 1991 and 1993, China supplied 34 M11 short-range missiles to Pakistan in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
- MTCR refers to an informal political understanding among member states seeking to limit missile proliferation and missile technology proliferation.
- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):
- The CPEC, which runs through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), is one of the mainstays of connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Investment:
- Today, China is one of Pakistan’s largest lenders, holding more than 27% of Pakistan’s debt.
- Bilateral trade:
- Bilateral trade hovers around $20 billion but is skewed in favour of China, which enjoys a substantial favourable balance of trade in the region of $18 billion.
- The abrogation of Article 370:
- After the abrogation of Article 370 by India in August 2019, China vehemently opposed the internal political changes effected by India.
- China unsuccessfully tried thrice to trigger discussions on J&K in the UN Security Council at the behest of Pakistan.
- Political support:
- China and Pakistan have created new tandems extending to other international organisations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
- Pakistan is trying to block India from being a member of the OIC.
Content Source: The Hindu