China has been assisting the Pakistani military in constructing defence infrastructure and providing unmanned aerial and combat aerial vehicles in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, according to officials. The move is part of China’s bid to protect its growing enclaves in the region, created under the guise of securing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road and hydel projects, while also further cementing its status as an all-weather ally to Pakistan. Experts warn that the move can escalate tensions in the region.
Pakistan’s defence infrastructure along the Line of Control (LoC) has received assistance from China in the form of communication towers, laying underground cables, and providing the SH-15, a 155mm truck-mounted howitzer gun. China has further bolstered its position by setting up a number of enclaves in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region, under the pretext of securing the CPEC road. These enclaves have raised concerns among India’s defence officials, and recently there were reports of Indian soldiers guarding the LoC with their hard hands and heading to the region in large numbers.
The SH-15 truck-mounted howitzer gun, first presented during Pakistan Day in 2020, has been seen in several areas along the LoC. Additionally, China has provided Pakistan with drones for use in surveillance and military operations in the region.
Analysts warn that Chinese infrastructure in the region and its military involvement could escalate tensions between India and Pakistan. India has consistently opposed China’s illegal activities in the Jammu and Kashmir region and has raised concerns about Chinese projects in the area infringing on Indian sovereignty. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his recent trip to the United States, raised the issue of Chinese involvement in the region with President Biden.
The ongoing presence of China in Pakistan-administered territories has not been well received by the Indian government, with concerns raised about the country’s intentions in the region. The situation in the Jammu and Kashmir region remains tense, with the Indian army reinforcing its presence in the area recently with several newly developed weapons and equipment at disposal.
In conclusion, Chinese assistance in building defence infrastructure in Pakistan-administered territories has raised concerns about the growing Chinese influence in the region. The increasing presence of China in the region could escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, and India’s consistent opposition to Chinese involvement has been emphasized by Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the US. The situation between the two nations remains tense, and the region’s stability remains uncertain.
