China-Pakistan strategic collaboration: implications for India

China and Pakistan have shared a very special relationship that had been affirmed by the rhetoric of ‘indispensable friendship’ that is ‘deeper than the Arabian Sea and higher than the Himalayas’. The divergence in their political systems, social cultures, overall size, level of development and the consequent absence of visible reciprocity in their interactions and policies have hardly affected this bonhomie. A unique aspect of this relationship is that it is India centric. China and Pakistan's relationship remains driven by their shared concerns and threat perceptions about India and vice versa.

The recent rise of China had brought enormous opportunities for Pakistan. China is investing heavily in major infrastructure projects in Pakistan like the up gradation of Karakorum highway, Gwadar Port and the rail link between China and Pakistan. From the Chinese perspective, Pakistan is a growing consumption lead economy, a conduit of energy and strategic commodities. Pakistan's strategic location makes it vital in order to ensure a smooth flow of energy resources. China since the very beginning has used Pakistan as a proxy state to confine India within South Asia and developments like these will affect India in more than one way.

The present paper will argue why India needs to be cautious and what should be its response against such developments.