China’s Policy towards Kashmir Dispute

Abstract

China’s policy towards Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan remains an important chapter of Beijing’s foreign policy towards both contending parties. Endorsing anyone’s stance would inevitably mean Chinese support to one party, so China’s officially declared neutrality appears a calculated strategy. However, Chinese strategic partnership with Pakistan and its military related exports to the latter reveal strategic preference of the former. China’s presence and investments on multi-billion dollar projects in Azad Kashmir show that it intends to stay here for a longer period. In addition to strategic cooperation with Islamabad and investments in the AJK, its geopolitical competition with New Delhi imply that Beijing is likely to support maintenance of status-quo in years to come. ______