China rejects Pakistan’s request for Nuclear Ballistic Missile submarines (SSBNs) amid Gwadar Port dispute
Source : IgMp Bulletin
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| Chinese PLA-Navy Type-094 Jin-class Nuclear Ballistic Missile submarine (SSBN) |
The negotiations between Pakistan's military and China regarding the strategic use of Gwadar Port have reached a critical impasse. At the center of this standoff lies Pakistan’s request for Chinese assistance in developing nuclear second-strike capabilities, a demand that has deepened tensions and revealed underlying cracks in the long-standing Sino-Pakistani relationship.
Pakistan sought to leverage the strategic value of Gwadar Port—an integral component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—to obtain advanced nuclear capabilities. The second-strike capability, critical in modern nuclear strategy, would enable Pakistan to maintain the ability to retaliate with nuclear force even after absorbing a first strike. Typically delivered through nuclear-armed submarines or hardened missile silos, this capability is a cornerstone for ensuring credible deterrence and discouraging potential aggressors.
China’s outright refusal to provide this advanced technology has led to a significant diplomatic and strategic deadlock. This setback comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with a range of internal challenges, including severe economic hardships, widespread political instability, and mounting unrest following the controversial arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. These internal crises have amplified Islamabad's dependence on foreign support, adding urgency to its demands during negotiations.
Gwadar, initially touted as a vital hub within China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was once considered a symbol of the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China alliance. Reports had previously indicated that Pakistan was open to allowing China to establish a military base at Gwadar, which would have bolstered Beijing’s presence in the Arabian Sea. However, the latest round of negotiations has highlighted a sharp divergence in priorities. While Pakistan remains focused on enhancing its strategic security through nuclear means, China appears increasingly reluctant to meet such demands, emphasizing instead its own strategic and military concerns.
China’s hesitation also stems from growing security threats to its personnel and investments in Pakistan. The safety of Chinese nationals involved in CPEC projects has been jeopardized by repeated militant attacks, creating additional friction between the two nations. The risks to Chinese assets, coupled with Pakistan’s deteriorating internal stability, have cast a shadow over the future of their bilateral ties.
What was once seen as an unshakeable alliance now appears to be under considerable strain. China’s rejection of Pakistan’s request for nuclear-armed submarines reflects its broader reluctance to deepen military entanglements in the region, particularly when its own interests are increasingly at risk. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s inability to secure these strategic concessions has exposed vulnerabilities in its approach to leveraging Gwadar Port as a bargaining chip in its partnership with Beijing.
The Gwadar Port dispute marks a turning point in the China-Pakistan relationship. While China’s economic investments through CPEC were expected to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and strengthen bilateral ties, the stalled negotiations underscore growing mistrust and misaligned objectives. If these disputes persist, they could significantly impact the broader geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, potentially reshaping alliances and strategic priorities in the region.
With public and private disagreements intensifying, the future of the once-robust Sino-Pakistani alliance remains uncertain. Both nations face critical decisions that could either bridge their differences or further strain their relationship, with far-reaching implications for regional stability and global geopolitics.
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