Sino-Pak ‘Entente Cordiale’* and India

Abstract

The rationale behind ‘Sino-Pak Entente Cordiale: A Look into the Past and Future’ is to stimulate reflection and open debate on this sensitive topic. The article analyses the three Indo-Pak wars and the India–China boundary conflict in historical and geopolitical contexts to explore whether there is a correlation between these and the formation of an entente between China and Pakistan. The resulting perspectives have been further supported by China's military assistance to Pakistan, the nuclear and missile proliferation in the subcontinent as well as the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. In conclusion, the general framework of the article helps us to understand the fact that India–Pakistan military engagement continues to serve Chinese strategic interest regionally as well as globally. Therefore, for India, the policy of engagement with both Pakistan and China on all fronts including trade and commerce is the best option—for the policy of engagement has been successful in mellowing down the tensions between the triangle.