Kumar Bahukhandi
China seems to be gaining advantage in the fight between Pakistan and India (Photo- Reuters)
Pakistan is using Chinese made weapons indiscriminately in its war with India. Experts say that this is China’s silent support to Pakistan.
Many historians say that Britain partitioned India to create a buffer state, but Pakistan eventually emerged as a duffer state. This seems even more credible given the current impasse between India and Pakistan, where many analysts say Pakistan is being used as a mindless proxy to keep it embroiled in a conflict that is weakening its economy and military.
But who else other than this jihadi general could be interested in keeping India embroiled in a conflict? Could the Pahalgam attack and subsequent events be part of a larger conspiracy against India?
Speaking to a media house on Friday, strategic affairs expert Tara Kartha said that India needs to identify its real enemy. She said, “You have to know why it (Pakistan) is doing what it is doing, why it is doing it, because the events that are happening right now have no logic. It is illogical even for Pakistan. India needs to identify its real enemy who wants you to go to war.”
So then who is this enemy? Who will benefit from India’s conflict with its neighbors?
China under suspicion
Aerial combat between Indian and Pakistani aircraft and evidence from downed missiles and drone debris suggest that Pakistan is using Chinese weapons to fight India. In response to Indian attacks on terror infrastructure in Punjab and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistan deployed PL-15E missiles along with JF-17 Block III and J-10CE fighter jets.
Later, Pakistan used the HQ-9 missile system to attack Indian installations. The HQ-9, and PL-15 E missiles and their platform J-10CE are all Chinese products. This is the first time these Chinese weapons have been used in a military conflict against India. Similarly, the JF-17 has been jointly developed by China and Pakistan and has been used.
This tacit support to Pakistan serves many Chinese interests. It strengthens Pakistan, but also helps China assess Indian establishments.
It is important to note here that the value of Chinese arms manufacturing companies has surged since the conflict began. This means that the Chinese stock market believes that China will continue to supply arms to Pakistan if the conflict escalates.
China is playing a big game
On Friday, May 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a grand parade on Moscow’s Red Square to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Germany. According to the Global Times, in a joint press conference with the Russian President, President Xi Jinping said that ‘China and Russia should maintain long-term friendship and be true friends who have gone through a hundred trials; pursue mutual benefit and always win-win outcome. Always be good partners who help each other succeed.
Ever since Russia started the war with Ukraine, China has stood in support of Russia. China sees itself as the centre of an anti-US coalition that will shape geopolitics and the economy. However, India has been balanced in its approach towards Russia, its oldest ally. But China considers India to be part of the US-led camp by virtue of being a member of the Quad.
To counter the US’s perceived influence in the region, China would want India to remain embroiled in regional conflicts, which would drain its financial and military resources. Therefore, a prolonged military confrontation between India and Pakistan is a win-win situation for Beijing. If Pakistan suffers losses, China does not care much. And if India suffers heavy losses, China will gain undisputed regional hegemony.
Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, professor of political science at Stockholm University, argues in his book Pakistan – The Garrison State: Origins, Evolution, Consequences (1947-2011) that Pakistan was born to serve the purpose of its masters. Ahmad claims that the British agreed to Jinnah’s demand for a separate country because the Muslim League promised ‘them the port of Karachi and an airport in the north’.
