ABSTRACT

The rise of China as a major economic, political and military power on the world stage could not be anything but a welcome development for Pakistan. Both countries enjoy a unique relationship affirmed by the rhetoric of ‘indispensable’ friendship that is ‘deeper than the Arabian Sea and higher than the Himalayas’. 1 However, the rise of China when viewed in the context of post—Cold War post-9/11 geopolitical developments in the region puts some constraints on Pakistan's strategic environment as well as on the Sino-Pak entente cordial.