Naval base in Gwadar

According to reports, China is going to invest $750 million to turn Gwadar into a full-scale commercial port. China’s interest in the port is obvious. It wants to use the port to transport oil and enhance trade. However, the latest annual report from the Pentagon on China’s security and military developments has added a new element: “China most likely will seek to establish additional naval logistics hubs in countries with which it has a long-standing friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and a precedent for hosting foreign militaries.”

This means we will be hosting Chinese naval ships at the port. Our policymakers seem to have realised that this will not only help secure Gwadar but also take China-Pak relations to new heights. Our search for a big partner is undoubtedly driven by India’s massive arms build-up. We are left with no option but to seek whatever means our smaller economy allows it to beef up our own defences. But this will expose us to a ‘great game’ of another scale and ambition. Naturally, India and the US will be two major players in this game. We should therefore prepare for the consequences – both hostile and friendly – that this game will unfold.

Jahangir Bugti

Dera Bugti