Pakistan — between Beijing and Washington      

In the wake of Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s nimble counter through Operation Bunyan Marsus, Islamabad has managed to claw its way back onto the global stage, reshuffling the deck in its favour. The US slapped India with stinging tariffs while giving Pakistan a comparatively lighter blow, opening the door to lucrative trade, oil exploration, and mineral deals. For a country often painted into a corner by Indian propaganda, these moves have breathed fresh life into its image and created new openings with the West, though not without whispers of risking the ironclad bond with Beijing. Yet China’s measured diplomacy and long-standing camaraderie with Pakistan mean that a dalliance with Washington need not spoil the brotherhood forged over decades.

This tightrope act between Beijing and Washington is nothing short of a diplomatic high-wire performance. Pakistan has managed to keep both giants in its orbit, extracting oil deals from America while remaining a flagship partner in China’s Belt and Road. With its mineral-rich mountains, untapped offshore hydrocarbons, and newfound trade advantages, Pakistan stands at the cusp of rewriting its economic fortunes. But in this great game of shifting alliances and transactional politics, one misstep could send it tumbling. For now, the world watches as Islamabad waltzes between superpowers undaunted, unbowed, and as Mr Bhattacharya put it – undefeated.

Overview:

This article dissects Pakistan’s evolving role between the US and China in a post-Operation Sindoor landscape, showing how skillful diplomacy can turn geopolitical headwinds into tailwinds. It explores US tariffs on India, strategic oil and mineral deals, and Beijing’s enduring friendship, all against the backdrop of Sino-US rivalry. For CSS exam aspirants, it’s a rich case study in balancing great-power politics without falling into bloc traps.

NOTES:

After Operation Sindoor and its swift counter through Operation Bunyan Marsus, Pakistan has regained strategic relevance, earning US favour without alienating China. Washington’s 25% tariff on India versus 19% on Pakistan created new trade leverage, with Islamabad eyeing offshore hydrocarbon reserves and vast mineral wealth that could transform it from an energy importer to an exporter. China’s approach remains steady and non-intrusive, ensuring that Pak-China ties stay resilient despite Islamabad’s warming relations with Washington. By sidestepping bloc politics, Pakistan has kept China, the US, and even Russia in its diplomatic orbit, using economic diplomacy alongside military capability to strengthen its position. This balancing act reflects Pakistan’s skill in handling great-power politics while securing strategic deals in energy, minerals, and trade that could redefine its economic future.

CSS syllabus relevance:

• International Relations: Great Power Politics, Strategic Balancing
• Current Affairs: US-China Rivalry, South Asian Geopolitics
• Pakistan Affairs: Foreign Policy, Economic Diplomacy, Strategic Resources
• Political Science: Realism vs Cooperative Engagement

Notes for beginners:

Pakistan is managing friendships with both the US and China, much like a person keeping peace between two rival friends. After a military clash with India, the US hit India with higher tariffs and offered Pakistan trade deals and oil exploration opportunities. Example: ExxonMobil may start drilling off Pakistan’s coast which could bring big money. At the same time, China is still Pakistan’s long-term ally, like a childhood friend who stands by you no matter what. The key is Pakistan’s ability to deal with both without making either feel sidelined.

Facts and figures:

• US tariffs: India 25%, Pakistan 19%
• Pakistan’s exports to US: $6 billion; imports from US: $2.4 billion; surplus $3.7 billion
• Pakistan holds the world’s fourth-largest offshore hydrocarbon reserves
• Potential mineral wealth: estimated $8 trillion
• CPEC remains the flagship China-Pakistan project

In a nutshell, this article is more than a tale of shifting alliances. It’s a masterclass in how a middle power can punch above its weight by reading the room and playing its cards right. Pakistan’s ability to stay in the good books of both Beijing and Washington is a rare feat in today’s fractured world. Whether this balancing act leads to a golden age of economic revival or a stumble into geopolitical quicksand will depend on the cool heads steering its foreign policy ship.