5-Nov-2018: Pakistan supports active participation of China at SAARC.
Giving a boost to China’s long standing demand, Pakistan recently said that it supported active participation of China at the platform of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Why China is demanding a greater role?
China has a status of an observer state in South Asia, however an observer state can get involve with SAARC members on specific initiatives, but they do not have voting rights. China entered SAARC as an observer in 2005, supported by most member states.
India’s concerns and fears:
If China is given a greater role, India fears that its neighbours will come together to oppose the country’s interests, particularly under the influence of Pakistan and China. India’s neighbours are attracted to China, because of its greater economic resources, as also it has the potential to counter India. China’s influence can be witnessed even in Nepal.
To enhance strategic ties with Nepal, China has been investing heavily in that country; it has opened land-port between Nepal and Tibet named as Kyirong which will affect the regional strategic balance.
The growing friendship with China and Pakistan is viewed by many as a joint tactic to offset India’s dominance in the South Asian region. One of the most famous project, is China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which strategically aims at providing links between the overland Silk Road and maritime Silk Road. Due to this project China becomes one of the major investors in Pakistan.
It has been agreed that China’s entry in SAARC as a full-member can give a push to SAARC to grow as a regional bloc as China’s global economic influence can help SAARC in international forum. But, growing alliances between China and Pakistan may work against India and which will hamper the regional progress. It has also been feared that China may block the projects which are both strategically and economically important for India.
2-Mar-2017: Pakistan's official elected as SAARC Secretary General
After months of difficulty, Pakistan succeeded in getting its official elected to the post of Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan was backed by all members, including India, which made the selection consensus- based.
Officials at the SAARC Secretariat, however, said the election was of administrative nature and diplomatic intent should not be read in it. As the incoming chair, Pakistan was supposed to provide the next Secretary General and all members of the SAARC allowed the smooth transition from Nepal to Pakistan.
The new chief of SAARC, Amjad Hussein B Sial, is a veteran diplomat, who was expected to take charge a year ago. However, India’s tough stance on cross-border terrorism posed a problem for the candidate, who has been in waiting since March 2016. Election of Mr. Sial was possible as India and Pakistan had indicated a greater willingness to allow SAARC to function.
Earlier, India opposed the holding of the 19th SAARC summit in Islamabad in November 2016 after the terror strike in Uri.