Pakistan’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, is visiting China this week to further strengthen economic, security, and defence ties between the two countries.
Beijing is Islamabad’s “all-weather strategic co-operative partner" and "ironclad friend,” according to readouts of the meetings. In addition to receiving investment totalling tens of billions of dollars through China’s Belt and Road Initiative, more than 80 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware comes from China.
That imported Chinese technology was reportedly on display earlier this month: Dar told Pakistan's national assembly that Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10C jet fighters “shot down three [French-made] Indian Rafales.” The J-10C was previously untested in open conflict.
India has yet to officially confirm any losses incurred during the recent military confrontation.
The ceasefire announced earlier this month between India and Pakistan has held, and rhetoric has cooled, but New Delhi is still eyeing Dar’s trip with concern. Although it was likely organized in advance of the current India-Pakistan dispute, Beijing’s public show of support for Pakistan — and the deepening security partnership between the two countries — is still a source of deep worry for India.
China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, also brought together Dar and the Taliban's acting foreign minister. The two sides agreed to appoint ambassadors in each other’s country and hold formal trilateral talks in Kabul soon.
