Watch out world

I watched a news video today and read information about the much neglected issues in Gilgit-Baltistan, the biggest portion of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

A small percentage of the world is aware of the Kashmir conflict. An even smaller percentage is aware of Pakistan's mismanagement of economic and political issues within Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. More importantly, no one knows the strategic importance of this region to the rest of the world.

Of course, as a political science student, I only speculate. I use theories and ideas to better understand the role of these states in all the reports I hear about in the news. Unfortunately, the analysis and speculation often only leaves me with negative views of states and their motivations. In the case of Gilgit-Baltistan, I'm forced to view the situation from a wary perspective, filled with dread about the self-serving motivations of the leaders of Pakistan and China.

Senge Sering, an advocate for Gilgit-Baltistan's freedom from Pakistan, shed some light on the Pakistani government's inability to fund the area with adequate resources. Situated in the northern-most part of the country, Gilgit-Baltistan was once Indian territory annexed by Pakistan in a war fought in the 1950s (if I'm not mistaken). The area borders the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan and China. At this absolutely strategic location, Gilgit-Baltistan is crucial to China's economic progress and Pakistan's friendship with China which is why, news reports show that the Chinese have deployed 11000 soldiers to the region.

Now let's not be mistaken. This isn't a repetition of Aksai Chin. This time, China isn't sneakily seizing land belonging to another country like it did in the 1960s. This time, China isn't building a highway in legitimate Indian territory and publishing maps showing it to be part of their own nation. This time, the Pakistanis have invited China to do as they please.

The deployment of 11000 soldiers is yet another strategic move to guarantee China's economic muscle. They have been sent to undertake a building of a route to connect the oil-rich Gulf directly to mainland China promising steady oil supplies to the latter. The advantage to China is of course tangible in terms of economic benefit but it is also a political move to disenfranchise India from becoming too powerful. And this is directly correlated with Pakistan's own benefits from this alliance with China.
One can only speculate and the political scientist within me believes that this is inevitable in a world in which every single entity is struggling for a bigger piece of the economic pie. In a world in which economic power is absolutely crucial to gain any form of political dominance, the Sino-Pak friendship has numerous connotations not only within the sub-continent but also to the balance of power in the world at large. The US fears China's growing power and stake within its own economy. It also admonishes Pakistan, while funding it, for not fighting terrorism as wholly as the US would like it to. In the face of these dynamics, forming stronger bilateral relations with India seems to be in the best interests of the US. For how else can the US make sure of its footing in this highly volatile part of the world?

The Kashmir region has always been crucial in world politics. Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan were important parts of the famed Silk Route. Today, the dynamics have changed and while a romantic Silk Route can't be imagined, a greater, mightier trade alliance definitely can, leading to of course, greater power politics. I personally do not know whom to admonish and whether criticizing any state is even an opinion of consequence for the power struggle seems to be the only legitimate way to survive.

There is a load of cynicism in this post but somewhere an optimist lies within me suggesting that no matter the number of wars or the growth of power-hungry officials, there is this lurking human virtue that attempts to avert catastrophe or even hope for a brighter future.