Strategic Horizons: Pakistan’s Foreign Policy and Engagement with China (2018–2025)

Abstract

This study examines Pakistan’s foreign policy and evolving strategic engagement with China from 2018 to 2025, a period marked by deepening economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation. It evaluates the political, economic, and regional factors driving Islamabad’s alignment with Beijing, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. Using a qualitative research design and semi-structured interviews with policymakers, diplomats, and scholars, this research identifies key strategic motivations, challenges, and outcomes of the bilateral partnership. The findings highlight how Pakistan balances domestic political priorities, regional security considerations, and global power dynamics in shaping its foreign policy toward China. The study applies Realism as the guiding theoretical framework, explaining the pursuit of power, security, and strategic autonomy in Pakistan’s policy calculus. The paper also analyzes the implications of Pakistan-China cooperation for South Asian geopolitics, including India-Pakistan tensions, Afghanistan, and broader U.S.-China strategic competition. The research concludes with policy recommendations emphasizing strategic autonomy, economic diversification, and multilateral engagement to strengthen sustainable bilateral relations.