Navigating US Rebalancing and China's BRI: Prospects and Challenges for Pakistan

Abstract

This paper critically examines the geopolitical and geo-economic ramifications of the United States' Rebalancing Strategy and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Pakistan. The US rebalancing approach is principally targeted at counterbalancing China's ascendancy as the world's second-largest economy. Through the recalibration of its foreign policy, the US seeks to reassert its influence within China's peripheral regions by leveraging military, economic, and diplomatic instruments of statecraft. This strategic maneuvering holds significant implications for Pakistan's foreign policy calculus, necessitating a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between these competing geopolitical interests. China initiated BRI which is perceived by the US as a counterbalancing strategy to its rebalancing strategy, aiming to establish China's economic centrality in the region. BRI promotes regional economic connectivity and integration through transportation, communications, and energy corridors. For Pakistan, BRI presents geo-political challenges and opportunities, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Effective mechanisms are necessary to capitalize on BRI's opportunities, enhancing Pakistan's regional strategic relevance. This study aims to explore the possible outcomes of Sino-US competition, geopolitical motivations involving US rebalancing and BRI, and prospects and Challenges for Pakistan. The research employs an explanatory, descriptive, and analytical approach, offering policy recommendations for Pakistan and key regional stakeholders.

Keywords: US Rebalancing, BRI, CPEC, China, India, Pakistan.