The 20th century was the century of western countries. On the back of alliances such as NATO and the UN, they largely remained united and prospered. The same is not true for Asian countries. Intra-continental rivalry is up there, and Sri Lanka is emerging as a new battleground.
Chinese loans to Pakistan
Months of waiting are over for Pakistan. The cash-stripped and flood-hit nation is finally going to get some hard cash. China has agreed to hand out a dole worth $9 billion to Pakistan. The huge sum has come off as a bailout package for Pakistan. The Chinese are so enthusiastic about their future with Pakistan that Xi Jinping himself told Shebaz Sharif not to worry as China won’t let them down.
Zhao Lijan, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, “China has done its utmost to help Pakistan stabilise its financial situation. We have been doing so, and we will continue to do so.”
Also read: India fries the circuits of Chinese ship docked at Hambantota port
American doors shut for Pak
For both of these countries, it is a refreshing change in their relationship. For the last few years, their relationship had hit a roadblock. The reason is that after Biden took oath as president, the USA started to tilt more towards Pakistan. On one hand, supporting an Islamic nation would secure Muslim votes for Biden, while on the other; it would also help in the anti-China drive.
The US poured money, re-established diplomatic warmth, and even provided arms and ammunition to Pakistan. It even became ready to galvanise the countries under its sphere of influence to support Pakistan’s Kashmir agenda.
To be honest, it did happen, and lots of countries pitched for a UN resolution on Kashmir. However, everything came crashing down in the United Nations General Assembly. Pakistan backtracked and did not support the West’s lobby on the Ukraine issue.
Around the same time, Pakistan did not find any mention in the US’ national security strategy as well. And, Biden’s rant on Pakistan did the rest of the damage.
Also read: Indian mission in Sri Lanka destroys China with undeniable facts
Pakistan: A testing ground for China to re-enter Sri Lanka
The doors had now been opened for China to enter, which it did. Simultaneously, reports are emerging that Sri Lanka may be the next country on the Chinese radar to reclaim its dominant position. Currently, the island nation has become a hot property for both the USA and China.
America is playing a long game in the country by building an institutional base for itself. By September of this year, the US government had provided assistance worth over $240 million to Sri Lanka. Americans are signing financial contracts with Sri Lankans and not giving lines of credit or any other humanitarian form of grant like India is doing. This is nothing but debt trap in a new form.
Moreover, lots of American agencies have landed in the country, establishing soft power for their own country. Even the national-level protests forcing Rajapaksha to fly are directly attributable to the National Endowment for Democracy, a US organisation.
Also read: Pakistan wants Russia to treat Pakistan as it treats India. Cuteness meter explodes
This is a cause of concern for China, which has gripped this country for over a decade now. India gave it more reasons to worry, with India giving assistance worth over $4 billion to the Lankans. China saw a glimpse of India’s increasing power when its spy ship got delayed permission to land at Hambantota Port. Even after it landed, the infamous Yuan Wang 5 could not carry out its spy operations.
China knows what India is capable of. It is seeing how India is finding means to act according to its capability. Furthermore, the fact that the US and India are in the same boat as China is giving Jinping nightmares. Pak is under its command, and now China will try to gain a foothold in Sri Lanka. Reason? Of course, India.
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