Gwadar port
TURNING Gwadar into a modern port must become one of Pakistan’s planning priorities, Indian objections being irrelevant and of no consequence. As the foreign office spokesman said on Wednesday, it was none of New Delhi’s business which country or party Islamabad decided to work with on that port. A day earlier, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony had said that China’s “role” in Gwadar was “a matter of concern”. His remarks came after Pakistan handed over the management of the port from Singapore’s PSA International to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings. Already, Pakistan is quite late in making Gwadar a going concern. Even though it was little better than a fishing village when Pakistan acquired it from Oman in 1958, the decades that followed saw little activity that could develop Gwadar and turn it into a major port to give relief to the overworked Karachi docks.
A flurry of development activity took place in Gwadar and Balochistan during the last decade. Though this produced some justified resentment among a section of the Baloch, who feared they would be denied the benefits of progress, the port was nevertheless developed with Chinese help and is now in a position to receive bigger ships. But sloth has characterised activities at the port for quite some time. This needs to be altered, and Gwadar readied for the vital part it has to play in the region’s economic development. Situated close to the Straits of Hormuz, this Makran coast port has the potential to become the hub of an energy corridor running all the way from China’s western parts to the oil-rich Gulf. But this presupposes both the prioritisation of Gwadar’s development and the improvement of law and order in the hinterland. With unsettled conditions in Balochistan, Gwadar’s development into a bustling commercial port will remain a dream.
Handing over Gwadar to Chinese is a good decision by Pakistan, its irrevelent what India thinks, since there will be no friendly relations with them as we have seen from Musharraf and Vajpaiy days. Its all hogwash.
Agree with raika45, that without a ground based logistical infrastructure, the port facility will not be much of a commercial proposition. Such an infrastructure would likely take decades to build, even if funding was avaialble. That means its immediate and foreseeable usage is going to be essentially military in nature. With China in control of such a facility, India would naturally have concerns. It is of course a decision that only Pakistan can make, and has made. India and Pakistan will both have to live with its consequences.
this is a very good decision in the right direction..china and pakistan are two peace loving nations ,who harbor no ill will to any other nation,,this move by both countrys will generate thousands of new jobs for the baloch ,and lead to the general uplift for balochistan. provide economic securty for the land locked nations around that region…all we need is some good will from india .and not ignite the region..there have been enough killings due to indian animosity,be it kashmir.fata balochistan…we can only urge the indians,please look at other civilized developed nations who carry more clout among the family of nations .
It shows lack of confidence Pakistan has in itself. If Pakistan can object to Indian presence in Afganistan why shouldn’t India object to Chinese presence in Pakistan. If it is bilateral matter so is Afganistan’s choice of friendship with India. Why do Pakistanis object to Indian projects in Afganistan ?
China’s presence here is what maybe causing other foreign governments into getting involved in creating a law and order situation in Balochistan – not that the Pakistani government isn’t doing a wonderful job of it itself.
Handing over Gwadar port to China is NOT a right step towards maintaining Indo-Pak relations. You may rubbish Indian concerns over this handover, however if Pakistan is so concerned about Indian presence in Afghanistan, wouldn’t India be concerned about Chinese presence in Pakistan ? wouldn’t India feel the “encirclement” that Pakistan complains while talking about Indian activities in Afghanisthan ?
There is diffrence between both the situations…. 1) Pakistan is neighbour of China and also Afghanistan but India is not Neighbour of Aghanistan.the only purpose of india’s interest in afghanistan is to destablize Pakistan. 2) Pakistan Donot care about Your and your’s country interest. we evn dont care about US concern about Iran-Pak Gas pipeline.and finally if u want Pak to leave China then you have to leave Israel and russia’s support.
Mao Zedong stated: “Rather than being constantly accused of aggression, it’s better to show the world what really happens when China indeed moves its muscles.”
India should also show some maturity and should not consider china a threat. You guys cant change your boundries and will remain neighbours. India and China’S economical benefits outperform its threat logics! No one can circle any one in this modern era. India instead should be confident of itself and its power without fearing from china! If it fears, its not self-confident!
As far as I know that when one country wants to build a port, it first makes sure it has the proper hinterland connection via roads and railways.Large tracts of port land for the warehouses, container yards, bonded warehouse area for goods meant for reshipment out of the country by overland traffic or otherwise.You had nothing but built the port first.Your Chinese brothers financed it to a part. When the Singapore parties realised that it was nothing but a white elephant, the Chinese gladly took over.Nobody else wanted it.Another opening for the Chinese for their oil and other business if and when trouble crops up in the south china sea where china is seeking dominance.They are keeping their business lines open like in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.Not your problem, yes. You want the port to run.Do you realise that your country is slowly coming into the grip of China? Admitted that other than the USA you have no financial godfather.But don’t you people realise where this is leading your country to?There will come a time when the Chinese will dictate terms to you and you will not be able to refuse.Remember as far as China is concerned,everything is business.Broaden your friendly horizon with other countries Pakistan or you may regret.
Gwadar port was built with utmost importance and dire need for developing Baluchistan. It will be pertinent to say that Gwadar has deep waters which allows large ships and carriers direct access to country, China has always remained a bosom friend of Pakistan as both countries resolved their bilateral issues peacefully acceptable to both partners for the benefit of masses of two sides. now Gwadar port has gained irrefutable strategic importance internationally as well as regionally that act as a gateway to countries lying in the north of Pakistan. It will provide china another way to transport foreign goods which will have brief impact on Pakistan’s economy. nearly 90%of Afghan import and export take place through Pakistani ports especially Gwadar. As far as India is concerned , Its none of her business. India should drive on its own way. If Gwadar port gains extreme heights , India will deprive of its huge income because China also does business through Indian ports. After more than 65 years has gone, India still have not been able to settle its dispute with its neighboring countries. India is solely responsible for inter-regional conflicts as it has been in war with Pakistan, China , Bengla desh. It has always poked its nose in Sri lanka and Maldeevs. I think India should mind her own business instead of igniting fires in other south Asian countries.
Handing over Gwadar Port to the Chinese and if used as a Base would make Pakistan a client state. Even if it a simple development project without Defense implications this move is fraught with risk. Global powers are not interested in allowing China a foothold in this region. This move will make entire Baluchistan a boiling cauldron of conflict and violence, another example of cutting the nose to spite the face.
Long Live Musharraf
it is wise to defend a leader who is right in his words and actions, but the man u r praising is nothing more than a barbaric dictator who killed his own masses for dollar, and let me add to ur knowledge that Americans r right when they say that pakistani nation is such a nation that it sells its mother for dollars.