After a meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, agreements were inked in Islamabad to strengthen the ‘iron-clad friendship’ between the two countries at the backdrop of the OIC meeting.
A total of five agreements have been signed to deepen bilateral cooperation’s between two countries in various fields.
On receiving an invite from Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, the Chinese counterpart is in Islamabad to attend the 48th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) as a special guest.
About OIC
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization of “the collective voice of the Muslim world” that works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”.
It’s an organisation of 57 member states whose foundation was laid in 1969 with a collective population of over 1.8 billion as of 2015 with 53 countries being Muslim-majority countries.
The OIC aims to preserve Islamic social and economic values, promote solidarity among member states, increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political areas. Along with a goal to uphold international peace and security, and advance education, particularly in the fields of science and technology.
About China-Pakistan Agreements
Views were exchanged by the two respective Ministers: on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing situation in Ukraine and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The statement said, “Ways to further strengthen the iron-clad friendship between the two countries were discussed.”
The first agreement was signed on “Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificates and Degrees” between the Ministry of Education of China and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
There was a Memorandum of Understanding signed on the “Project of China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre (CPJRC) on Earth Sciences” between China International Development Cooperation Agency and Pakistan Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Also, three separate Letters of Exchange (LOE) were inked for agricultural equipment and materials: for joint agricultural technology laboratory equipment and materials; and for agricultural demonstration station equipment and materials.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mr. Qureshi emphasised,
“Both countries must continue deeper engagement to promote peace, and stability in Afghanistan and avert the humanitarian crisis there.”
Implications on India
From Rajiv Gandhi’s watershed moment visit to China to opting of Gujral Doctrine for Pakistan, India had always tried to pacify its neighbours.
As India transformed its dynamics and tactics in a recent act of retaliation: Galwana Standoff, Balakot Airstrike etc. Its relationship with its neighbours especially with Pakistan and China has deteriorated. This has given passage to China-Pakistan to become close allies.
India now faces the threat of the Two-Front War. As the increasing convergence between China-Pak only raises the real phantom of a ‘two-front’ war.
While the string of Negotiation of Lost Territory remains suspended in the air of uncertainty, China now looks at Aksai Chin, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as Chinese territories to be reclaimed from Indian occupation.
While Pakistan positions China to play a role in Kashmir and the region, for Pakistan’s claimed land.
As China and Pakistan both share a common objective to prevent India’s rise, China’s Rising Prominence as a Global Power Status.
As for India, China’s rise as a global power and its partnership with Pakistan only emerge as a greater concern than before.
Published By: Manan Khurana
Edited By: Subbuthai Padma
