By Mahnoor
Makhdoom
ISLAMABAD: Rapid progress in the pace of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects has changed the dimensions of Pakistan’s foreign policy with its neighboring countries and other states in the region.
A broader shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy has been noted since the launch of CPEC. Pakistan’s foreign policy is now focused on regional integration, peaceful coexistence and socioeconomic development.
Ongoing Pak-China cooperation under CPEC was also recently highlighted by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Addressing the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) through video link, he said “The foreign policy goals of my government are in sync with SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic integration”.
He also remarked that SCO is destined to play a pivotal role in the emerging confluence between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Pakistan’s geographical location provides it an ideal opportunity to crystallize the benefits accrued from this process. CPEC, the flagship project of BRI, is poised to play a vital part in this regard, he added.
The objectives of CPEC are in line with the tenets of foreign policy of Pakistan.
CPEC is not a bilateral project between China and Pakistan only, but it will have a positive impact on the whole region. The tree of Pakistan-China friendship has been growing for many decades. The leaders of both countries have nurtured it passionately with a deep sense of strategic commitment for seventy years now. The countries’ leaders, with the support of their people, ensured that this friendship evolved into a strong bond. Leaders of both countries believe that a military approach to dealing with security issues in South Asia will further damage the interests of countries in the region.
Therefore, the best approach would be to focus on the promotion of economic, social and cultural ties which would be helpful to resolve these issues in a non-military way and will also promote regional security.
