PAKISTAN’S DILEMMA IN THE SINO-US STRATEGIC COMPETITION

The US role as the unipolar power is on the decline because of its engagement in prolonged conflicts in Afghanistan & Iraq, economic meltdown since economic crisis of 2007-08, the slowdown of markets during covid-19, and the wars in Ukraine and Middle East. On the other side, Beijing is persistently continuing its focus on connectivity and economic prosperity through BRI project. The continued modernisation of the Chinese forces, introduction of Stealth fighter jets, drone technology as well as continued economic prosperity and its presence in vital strategic locations around the world posed a serious challenge for the US hegemony. This begun the new strategic competition between the two power centres for the supremacy. The battle for supremacy intensified with the wars in Ukraine and Middle East as both sides chose their allies for support. The US became a close security partner of Ukraine and Israel, whereas China provided military and economic support to the Russia, and called for the ceasefire in the Middle East. This increased conflict has divided the world into two alliances; one led by the US/west in support of Kiev and Tel Aviv, whereas other bloc is led by Beijing-Kremlin nexus in Ukraine, and Tehran in the Middle East. Despite being far from the centre of the conflict, Pakistan has remained a major state in the region due to its partnership with Beijing and the security alliance with US since the cold war. Islamabad’s delicate balance throughout theyears have benefitted it but could it continue to maintain the balance in this age of strategic competition. The paper attempts to explore Pakistan’s policy options in the age of Sino-US strategic competition, as Pakistan remained in troubled waters due to its policy of delicate balance between Beijing and Washington.