Online published on 18 October, 2017.
Since its inception and until recently, the People's Republic of China repeatedly proclaimed an independent, non-aggressive and non-ideological foreign policy on the permanently evolving and insecure international scene. However, its stupendous economic rise has propelled the country near the top of the global pyramid and the government has become increasingly involved and assertive in world issues in order to expand its area of influence. This article traces the changes in Chinese diplomacy with special reference to India, Pakistan, other South Asian countries and Russia. It points out that the Sino-Pak alliance has grown out of converging interests, although Beijing is wary of Pakistan's internal instability and support of Islamic radicalism in Asia. It concludes that India has no choice but to simultaneously collaborate with and stand up to China.
