I had the opportunity to share my views on China–US relations and how Pakistan navigates its complexities at a roundtable hosted by the Centre for Policy Research, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore. The event brought together scholars from the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), providing a timely forum to reflect on Pakistan’s evolving role in China–US relations. Pakistan has historically functioned as a facilitating actor in great-power politics, most notably during the China–US rapprochement of the early 1970s. In July 1971, US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger travelled secretly to Beijing via Pakistan after consultations in Islamabad. This initiative culminated in President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 and his meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong. At a time when Washington and Beijing were ideologically opposed and lacked diplomatic relations, Pakistan played a decisive intermediary role.
Since 1978, however, the nature of China–US relations has changed substantially following China’s policy of reform and opening up. China gradually integrated into the global economy and expanded commercial, scientific, and diplomatic ties with the Western world, including the United States. Economic interdependence became a defining feature of bilateral relations. After the 9/11 attacks, both China and the United States also appeared broadly aligned on counterterrorism, particularly about stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan emerged as a key country with which both Washington and Beijing closely engaged in counterterrorism efforts, and Islamabad effectively served as a diplomatic bridge, facilitating cooperation, coordination, and communication in this domain.
This relative convergence eroded during Donald Trump’s first presidential tenure, as heavy US tariffs on Chinese goods, followed by Beijing’s reciprocal measures, triggered a trade war and significantly intensified strategic rivalry. Trump’s return to office has once again unsettled bilateral relations. Nevertheless, despite heightened tensions, senior Chinese and American leaders have continued direct communication in recent months to manage differences and avoid escalation.
Within this context, Pakistan’s geopolitical relevance has re-emerged, particularly in the Middle East. Since 1947, Pakistan has sought to play a leading role in the Muslim world. This orientation was evident in its participation in recent diplomatic efforts concerning Gaza, alongside Muslim and Western-backed states. China’s decision not to veto UN Security Council resolutions aimed at establishing a peace framework in Gaza has enhanced Beijing’s standing among Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan. This creates space for Pakistan to act as a situational diplomatic facilitator, helping bridge perspectives between China and the United States on peace and stability in the region.
Another important area of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement concerns the resurgence of terrorism along its border with Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly drawn attention to cross-border militancy and the deteriorating security situation in its western provinces. In this regard, Pakistan should further encourage China and the United States to initiate a trilateral dialogue on counterterrorism, as cooperation in this domain serves the shared interests of all three states.
Drawing on its historical experience, strategic location, and balanced relations with both Beijing and Washington, Pakistan remains well positioned to act, situationally and pragmatically, as a facilitator, contributing to regional and global stability
For South Asia to achieve long-term peace and economic viability, the unresolved dispute over Jammu and Kashmir remains central. China has consistently supported Pakistan’s call for a peaceful resolution in line with international norms, whereas the United States has largely avoided sustained engagement. Pakistan should urge Washington to take the conflict more seriously, as China does, since enduring regional stability is unlikely without addressing this core issue.
At the strategic level, the Indo-Pacific has become the primary focus of US national security policy, while China has vital economic and strategic stakes in the region. Pakistan has recently expanded its engagement with ASEAN, particularly with countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, whose president visited Pakistan recently, reflecting its growing interest in broader Asian connectivity. As China–US rivalry intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, Pakistan can play a constructive diplomatic role by promoting dialogue and reducing misperceptions between the two powers.
Pakistan’s consistent support for the One-China policy, including its principled stance on Taiwan, further underscores its alignment with Beijing on issues of core sovereignty. In the event of heightened China–US tensions over Taiwan, Pakistan could again assume a de-escalatory role, aimed at encouraging restraint and peaceful dispute management.
Economically, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is firmly embedded in Pakistan through the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Infrastructure development and the strategic potential of Gwadar Port position Pakistan as a key regional connectivity hub. Recent US interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector, particularly in Balochistan, presents a potential opportunity for pragmatic China–US economic engagement in Pakistan. While challenging, limited cooperation, through infrastructure use, technology, or private-sector investment, could be mutually beneficial.
Despite the prevailing trust deficit between Beijing and Washington, current trends indicate relatively improved US-Pakistan relations, which are likely to continue. This provides Pakistan with diplomatic space to convey its core foreign policy concerns to the United States, particularly the need for sustained engagement with China in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.
In an era of intensifying China–US competition, renewed confrontation would harm not only the two major powers but also middle powers such as Pakistan. Drawing on its historical experience, strategic location, and balanced relations with both Beijing and Washington, Pakistan remains well positioned to act, situationally and pragmatically, as a facilitator, contributing to regional and global stability.