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“Higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey, stronger than steel, all-weather and time-tested” said - Masood Khan, Pakistan Diplomat, 2009. The statement reflects the time old relationship between China and Pakistan. Nevertheless, the unfolding of relationship between Pakistan and China over the issue of Pakistan’s hand in violence in Xingjian will be of strategic importance to India.

It is the first time that China accused its closest ally for unrest in one of its important province--Xingjian.

Xingjian is largest region of China sharing borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Mongolia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its geographical location makes it an important region of China.

This region has huge natural reserves, particularly of oil which China is planning to utilize. China cannot afford to lose control of this region due to strategic and economic reasons. As a result, China may take a strong position with regard to Pakistan’s involvement in Xingjian province.

In the midst of these allegations, the ISI Chief Gen Shuja Pasha paid an urgent visit to China. This visit had two main purposes. India Pakistan is very often issue seen by every where. First, Pakistan relationship with the US were strained over the issue of terrorism. Pakistan might be looking towards China for its international support. Second, Pakistan wanted to convince China that it will cooperate with it to prevent terrorism in its region.

This visit showed clearly that Pakistan could not afford to lose its ‘all weather friend’ particularly when its relationship with the US were not going well. However, China may face a tricky time while pressurizing Pakistan to deal with terrorism. Pakistan has a history of making visits and promises to deal with the issue of terrorism and to punish the defaulters. However, it has never implemented this in practice.

Therefore, it is clear that Pakistan government is unable to check terrorism in its own country. The recent operation of the US against Osama Bin Laden clearly shows that Pakistan provides sanctuary to terrorist and their activities. Pakistan has faced lot of criticism from rest of the world for its policies; while China shows full faith and confidence in Pakistan’s security policy.

No doubt, China is a close ally of Pakistan and both countries always work together to counterbalance India in South Asian region.

China was responsible for bringing nuclear threat to India’s neighborhood. China has always helped Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programme. Recently, China concluded a nuclear deal with Pakistan on the lines of India-US nuclear deal. China showed its plans to help Pakistan to expand its Chasma nuclear energy complex in Punjab by building two reactors. China stressed on its cooperation despite all international objections and concerns regarding threat of looming nuclear terrorism in Pakistan.

It’s high time that China should understand that terrorism knows no boundary and no religion. Pakistan plays an important part in China’s strategic calculations. However, China should change its policy of downplaying Pakistan’s terrorist threat. China should learn from mistakes of the US who faced the wrath of Taliban in Afghanistan which were its own creation during cold war period. This event showed that terrorism from Pakistan could travel into China easily. China will definitely face the heat of all kinds of threats coming from Pakistan as it also shares border with it. Therefore, China should change its policy of downplaying Pakistan’s threat. India should not lose time to use China’s recent sensitivities against Pakistan’s terrorism and should make China aware of its nuclear dimension. The unfolding of strategic triangle in South Asia can be turned in India’s favor if diplomacy is used effectively.