FROM REGIONAL ALIENATION TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION: POST 9/11 PAKISTAN’S RELATIONS WITH US AND CHINA

Abstract

International relations adhere no permanence in its alliance and enmity, when it comes to bilateral ties and national interests, Pakistan who was a leading companion of US post 9/11, encountered with deepening its bond with China who emerged more assertive regarding its regional role in the wake of 9/11, therefore, the main argument of this study is that 9/11 incident proved a point for Pakistan where it preferred regional security over economic reliability, as a prime factor to determine its foreign relations. The study observed that post 9/11 security scenario pressed Pakistan to opt for a partner rather than a master to combat its troubles in terms of its regional position, therefore this study relates itself to regional security complex theory to purport Pakistan’s diplomatic drive towards China in comparison to US. Moreover, this paper asserts that post 9/11 the shift in regional strategic alliance and regional events pushed Pakistan to grow and expand its equation with China to explore a gateway which is loaded with opportunities and challenges at the same time. China and Pakistan pose commonality and interdependence of interest at regional level towards India backed by US; therefore, this paper signifies itself as its examines that how Pakistan’s relation with China in the wake of 9/11 has contributed towards regional security.