Tag:China

Despite being rich in natural resources such as natural gas, coal, gold, and copper, Balochistan remains one of the poorest regions in Pakistan. The benefits of resource extraction projects largely bypass the local population, fuelling resentment.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, Yunus expressed optimism about the visit, emphasizing its potential to deepen relations between Dhaka and Beijing.

The decision to terminate these grants reportedly came after a suggestion from Trump’s close aide, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk advised the administration to cut down on what he described as unnecessary foreign aid spending.

The Trump administration’s focus on Mexico and Canada reflects the fact that they, along with China, are by some distance America’s major source of goods imports, each accounting for in excess of $400 billion in 2023.

As Sri Lanka navigates these complex international relationships, concerns persist about the nation's sovereignty and its ability to maintain a balanced foreign policy amidst mounting external pressures.

Pakistan can see the writing on the wall and knows that it must refrain from using the heyday of the alliance during the early years of the Cold War as the baseline because that world no longer exists. More importantly, Pakistan is no longer the same.

While safeguarding investments aligns with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative objectives, overreach risks fuelling resentment and triggering regional pushback.

Trump’s tendency to view alliances through a cost-benefit lens might lead to heightened expectations for India to share more of the regional security burden.