Is the Increasing Chinese Influence on Pakistan a Cause for Concern?

New Delhi, May 3 (NationPress) Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton voiced significant apprehensions regarding China's escalating influence over Pakistan, particularly in light of the ongoing "sensitive situation" in the region after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, executed by four terrorists, two of whom were identified as Pakistani.

"I am troubled by the increasing sway that China holds over the Pakistani government, which poses a significant threat to the peace and stability in this area. With so much at stake, I believe the role of the US should involve closer cooperation with India, as we have historically done in counterterrorism efforts, and perhaps engage more actively with the Pakistani government to emphasize the need for a resolution to this situation," Bolton stated in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Having served as NSA to President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019, Bolton underscored that the terror threat has resurged in the region following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, reiterating that Washington remains "very interested" in the Af-Pak situation for "very valid reasons."

"Concerning Afghanistan, even the Biden administration acknowledged in open Congressional hearings that the return of foreign terrorist fighters to Afghanistan likely indicates that ISIS-K could once again launch terrorist attacks globally. This unfortunate resurgence of the terrorist threat has occurred since our exit," he remarked.

"However, the larger issue is China, which continues to pursue a strategy of hegemony along its Indo-Pacific periphery and in disputed territories, particularly near Kashmir. The situation is very precarious, with numerous provocations from China over the years. I am genuinely concerned about the rising Chinese influence on Pakistan, as it does not serve the interests of the US, India, or the pursuit of peace and security in South Asia. Addressing this, along with the threats of terrorist activities originating from Pakistani territory, are critical priorities for the United States," Bolton elaborated.

The former US Ambassador to the UN also criticized China while expressing discontent with the current Trump administration for instigating a trade war with "every country globally" rather than taking a firmer stance against Beijing.

"I believe the primary adversary is China. We have all suffered from Chinese practices like intellectual property theft and government subsidies to their companies competing with ours, while failing to open their domestic market as promised. This approach contradicts Trump's strategy, but it remains our most significant challenge," he concluded.