08:13 pm
Will China Force Pakistan’s Hand?
Long-time readers of this blog know that I’m not a big fan of the government of the People’s Republic of China. They have a consistent talent for doing the wrong thing.
But I have to give them major props today:
Security agencies in China are quizzing their Pakistani counterparts about possible links between the attack in Mumbai and terrorist organisations based in Pakistan, informed sources said. Chinese agencies have already taken measures to seal off possible loopholes in the country’s borders with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure that no fugitives sneak in. Beijing is particularly worried that Pakistan based terrorists might seek refuge Xinjiang, the terrorism hit province bordering Pakistan.
“We are ready to cooperate with India and Pakistan to fight terrorists groups that are active in the region,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told TOI. “We face the danger of terrorists’ attacks from supporters of the East Turkmenistan movement. So, we are very concerned,” he said.
China, which is a close allay of Pakistan, is capable of persuading leaders in Islamabad to part with critical intelligence and even hand over terrorists to India. But Beijing might prefer to deal with Pakistani leaders on this score to safeguard itself from terrorism spilling across the border to its own territory.
Liu, the foreign ministry spokesman, said China was ready to join hands with India to track down terrorists groups that may have been involved in the attack in Mumbai on November 26.
Clearly the PRC is acting in its own interest here — it doesn’t want the chaos in Afghanistan and Pakistan (and lately, India) to bleed across its borders into Xinjiang, its predominantly Muslim province. Nonetheless, it’s refreshing to see them do the right thing.
Last week, I speculated as to whether a potential war between India and Pakistan could eventually draw in China on Pakistan’s side, which could have only disastrous consequences. Although that certainly remains a remote possibility, I am reassured to see the Chinese government pushing the Pakistanis to do the right thing.
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