‘China Factor’ in India-Pakistan relationship: A review

In the present geostrategic global scenario post 9/11, India & Pakistan has been playing a dynamic role in molding and reshaping the power politics and geopolitics of the larger neighborhood and has also impacted the international politics significantly. Their growing military strength, potent nuclear arsenal and heated talks, has in some way or other not only influenced the global geo politics but has compelled from time to time various super powers to shift their onus toward the region. Foreign policies of these nations striving to either protect their own sovereignty or to enhance their interest in the international foray have brought larger players in the strategic prism. One such super power and crucial issue that has affected and influenced the South Asian Region politics is ‘China factor’ in the relationship between these two neighbours. China has been the most formidable aspect in accessing and influencing the internal as well as external strategic decision making policies of India and Pakistan, one being the mightiest among the countries of the Islamic world and the other being the most influential developing country in contemporary world politics. The present paper is an attempt to study the intricacies of relationship and their effects in the Indian-Pakistan relationship and focus on how and to what extent such relationship has affected the conflict ridden South Asian subcontinent, in the days to come.