China-Iran-Pakistan Nexus to Contain and Isolate US, India and Saudi Arabia

[VelocuR]

The last time I checked the biggest geopolitical force is that of energy markets.

Well, the title is not correct. Please change it to proper title. We need to have ton of energy and that's our neighbor Iran can provide it. Afghanistan can't provide it, what else.

 

[shazlion]

Iran used to be very Near to Modi

 

[kadamba-warrior]

Well, such a pipeline going through Chinese land, will be a chokepoint for India. As you might remember, India did not agree to IPI pipeline for the reason that the pipeline was going through Pakistan. So, there you go. India is being squeezed out of energy markets.

Are you seriously saying that India is being squeezed out of energy markets when more than 2/3 of world oil trade goes through Indian Ocean Region? Last time I checked, India was not a landlocked country. And there is a reason why India maintains a robust Navy!

I will give you this much that India is forced to choose between lesser adversaries - China or Pakistan if we were ever to get access to CAR/Russian Gas due to geographic/political compulsions. But the leaders in Beijing are saner than their countrymen on PDF so the situation between India and China is not as bad you people think/want it to be - not yet, at least.

 

[Desert Fox]

India stranded as region readies for Iran’s surge | Asia Times

The Wall Street Journal report today with an Islamabad dateline quoting local officials that China is willing to build the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline doesn’t come as surprise. But the apparent finality about what has been up until now in the realm of intelligent speculation signifies a tectonic shift in the politics of the region.

The expected dismantling of the sanctions regime against Iran is triggering reverberations in regional politics and the IP gas pipeline project is evidence of it. Tehran, Islamabad and Beijing are positioning themselves to tap into the new vistas opened by Iran’s integration into the international community.

The IP pipeline eminently qualifies to become part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, with the underpinning provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and China’s Silk Road Fund. There is a strong likelihood that the pipeline will get extended to China along the so-called Economic Corridor that is being planned via the Karakorum.

Conceivably, Iran will welcome an extension of the IP pipeline into China, which, in political terms, would make Beijing a ‘stakeholder’ in the Iran-Pakistan relationship and in turn help stabilize that troubled relationship. A China-Pakistan-Iran strategic axis built on shared concerns of regional stability has far-reaching implications for an entire arc of countries stretching from the Persian Gulf through Afghanistan and Central Asia to China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Needless to say, the realization of the IP pipeline, overcoming the pressure from Saudi Arabia on Pakistan to desist from going ahead with the project, constitutes a major policy statement by Islamabad. Simply put, Islamabad is probing a way out of the stranglehold of the Saudi orbit, finally. The Saudi embrace has been a blessing and a curse for Pakistan and Iran will be the net beneficiary if Pakistan asserts its independence from Saudi Arabia.

China’s involvement in the IP pipeline will mean that the Chinese presence in Gwadar is being stepped up dramatically. Pakistan, in turn, is poised to become a major transit route for China to the markets in the Persian Gulf, West Asia and Africa. In sum, Sino-Pakistani strategic partnership is about to touch a qualitatively new level.

On the other hand, the focus on the IP pipeline dampens the prospects of the alternate Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which the US has been promoting. China wouldn’t want the Turkmen gas reserves to be diverted to South Asia, while Iran too has been averse to competition from the TAPI. In short, India’s hopes of having the TAPI may turn out to be a mere “pipe dream.”

From the Indian viewpoint, this is of course a sad moment. Isolation in one’s own region is never a good thing to happen, but Indian diplomacy seems to be failing to build partnerships riveted on regional cooperation.

The blame lies entirely with the Narendra Modi government. The Modi brand of foreign policy is largely built on hot air and grandstanding and lacks substance. Very little conceptual thinking seems to be going into Modi’s foreign-policy peregrinations. It is all turning out to be sound and fury signifying nothing.

The Modi government doesn’t know how to respond to China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives; it has one foot inside the U.S. “pivot strategy in Asia” and another foot outside; it plays the “Tibet card” against China but also expects Chinese investments to pour in; and, it regards China as an intruder into its sphere of influence in South Asian and Indian Ocean region.

As for Pakistan, the less said the better. No one knows what is on Modi’s mind. His government keeps blowing hot and cold. The Pakistani side seems to have understood that Modi is in no real hurry to resolve the disputes and differences between the two countries, and is marking time. Accordingly, it has decided not to unduly press India further for a constructive engagement with India.

When it comes to Iran, that country also probably senses that in the scheme of things of the Hindu nationalist government in India, Islamophobia is the leitmotif for the Hindutva ideologues. The Modi government has neglected to mend India-Iran ties, which have been in a state of disrepair.

The Modi government never really understood the dynamics and alchemy of the U.S.-Iranian engagement through the past year. The stunning fact is that there has not been a single high-level visit from India to Iran during Modi’s stewardship through the past 10-month period. It must be a world record of sorts.

Thus, the plain truth is that India today lacks a coherent, consistent approach toward China, Pakistan or Iran. And no wonder, India is being visibly left behind at the station while the China-Pakistan-Iran train is pulling out.

It is great to see the strengthening of Iran-Pakistan-China relations through furthering of common regional economic interests.

However, i don't think China or Pakistan intend on containing Saudi Arabia. We are neutral in the Saudi-Iran regional rivalry and we should work to promote mediation between the two sides rather than inflame already tense relations between the two Islamic countries.


Iran-Pakistan-China relations should be a priority though, and no country, Saudi, America, or U.K. (and other Western powers) should prevent Pakistan from looking out for its own interests, especially when it concerns the development and well being of the common Pakistani. After all, if certain Islamic countries truly are our brotherly Islamic allies as they claim to be then they should not impede our economic development. Iran is our Islamic neighbor and we have every right to build strong relations with Iran.

 

[shazlion]

Pakistan Wants 'Battlefield' Nukes to Use against Indian Troops
Well, Pakistan will never use Nukes in the beginning of War but If India invade and come inside Pakistan then Pakistan will use them as Last Resort, Hell with India......India as long as I remember Killed thousands of Pakistanis inside Pakistan using Proxies like Pakistani Taliban PTT, BLA etc. Only PTT Just in last 10 years killed over 60,000 Pakisanis and from last 60 years on Pak. independence India have killed over 2,50,000 Pakistanis inside Pakistan using Terrorism plus Indian Army killed over 100,000 Muslim Kashmiris in Jammu Kashmir, rape thousands of Kashmiri Muslim Women, send hundred thousands of Kashmiris to Pakistan as Refugees! This is Real India for all of you People Out there, esp. in West, SA and Arab Gulf Coutries
India is the Biggest Terrorist on the Planet and Supporter of Terrorism inside Pakistan.....

 

[Kompromat]

I disagree.

Pakistan itself will emerge as a strong regional leader from this crisis. Saudi and Iran are Pakistan's two kidneys, we are not going to lose either of the two.

In this case we need to follow an independant foreign policy. What author failed to mention is the fact that the ORIGINAL aim of Pak-China trainst deal is to connect with MENA region for trade and energy.

There is no 'anti Saudi' alliance in the making. Both Saudi and China are close partners, Pakistan will drive them closer.

Iran is also a token member of this project through IP. It will open up Pakistani & Chinese markets for Iran.

Pakistan needs a balancing act for greater good. The only biggest loser in this game will be Modi.

 

[Roybot]

India stranded as region readies for Iran’s surge | Asia Times

Its a blog post by leftist M Bhadrakumar. Zero credibility.

 

[Serpentine]

I don't think we need to be in the opposing front of India. We are in good terms with all Asian countries including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Japan, south Korea and others. Perhaps we can only exclude Israel and Saudi Arabia.

 

[haman10]

Our relations with india is cordial. Iran is not going to threaten that for new countries with unstable foreign policy.

 

[Menace2Society]

Iran surely understands that any country with a close alliance with Israel cannot be trusted.

Economic relations will always be good. But when it comes down to it if Israel attacks Iran, who will have Irans back? Pakistan or India?

 

[Asian.Century]

Expect Arabs and Indian dirty games to rise exponentially in Iran, Pakistan, China, in jealousy, fear and progress in our part of the world.

Iwhen it comes down to it if Israel attacks Iran, who will have Irans back? Pakistan or India?

You hit the nail on the head, a very important question, who will protect IRAN? And we all know who will do it.

 

[ito]

It is hard to think Iran in Pakistan's camp. Iran know where Pakistan's loyalties lie. Iran had an objective of preventing Pakistan from getting involved in Saudi - Iran disputes and it succeeded. Pakistan cannot afford to have two enemies in either side of its borders. So Pakistan had to play a neutral approach in the whole episode and in turn angered Arabs.

There is no US-India-SA nexus and there is no China-Iran-Pakistan nexus. All are looking after their self interests, but for Pakistan it was a difficult choice.

Iran surely understands that any country with a close alliance with Israel cannot be trusted.

Economic relations will always be good. But when it comes down to it if Israel attacks Iran, who will have Irans back? Pakistan or India?

There is no role for Pakistan in Israel and Iran conflict.

 

[illusion8]

India stranded as region readies for Iran’s surge | Asia Times

The Wall Street Journal report today with an Islamabad dateline quoting local officials that China is willing to build the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline doesn’t come as surprise. But the apparent finality about what has been up until now in the realm of intelligent speculation signifies a tectonic shift in the politics of the region.

The expected dismantling of the sanctions regime against Iran is triggering reverberations in regional politics and the IP gas pipeline project is evidence of it. Tehran, Islamabad and Beijing are positioning themselves to tap into the new vistas opened by Iran’s integration into the international community.

The IP pipeline eminently qualifies to become part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, with the underpinning provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and China’s Silk Road Fund. There is a strong likelihood that the pipeline will get extended to China along the so-called Economic Corridor that is being planned via the Karakorum.

Conceivably, Iran will welcome an extension of the IP pipeline into China, which, in political terms, would make Beijing a ‘stakeholder’ in the Iran-Pakistan relationship and in turn help stabilize that troubled relationship. A China-Pakistan-Iran strategic axis built on shared concerns of regional stability has far-reaching implications for an entire arc of countries stretching from the Persian Gulf through Afghanistan and Central Asia to China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Needless to say, the realization of the IP pipeline, overcoming the pressure from Saudi Arabia on Pakistan to desist from going ahead with the project, constitutes a major policy statement by Islamabad. Simply put, Islamabad is probing a way out of the stranglehold of the Saudi orbit, finally. The Saudi embrace has been a blessing and a curse for Pakistan and Iran will be the net beneficiary if Pakistan asserts its independence from Saudi Arabia.

China’s involvement in the IP pipeline will mean that the Chinese presence in Gwadar is being stepped up dramatically. Pakistan, in turn, is poised to become a major transit route for China to the markets in the Persian Gulf, West Asia and Africa. In sum, Sino-Pakistani strategic partnership is about to touch a qualitatively new level.

On the other hand, the focus on the IP pipeline dampens the prospects of the alternate Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which the US has been promoting. China wouldn’t want the Turkmen gas reserves to be diverted to South Asia, while Iran too has been averse to competition from the TAPI. In short, India’s hopes of having the TAPI may turn out to be a mere “pipe dream.”

From the Indian viewpoint, this is of course a sad moment. Isolation in one’s own region is never a good thing to happen, but Indian diplomacy seems to be failing to build partnerships riveted on regional cooperation.

The blame lies entirely with the Narendra Modi government. The Modi brand of foreign policy is largely built on hot air and grandstanding and lacks substance. Very little conceptual thinking seems to be going into Modi’s foreign-policy peregrinations. It is all turning out to be sound and fury signifying nothing.

The Modi government doesn’t know how to respond to China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives; it has one foot inside the U.S. “pivot strategy in Asia” and another foot outside; it plays the “Tibet card” against China but also expects Chinese investments to pour in; and, it regards China as an intruder into its sphere of influence in South Asian and Indian Ocean region.

As for Pakistan, the less said the better. No one knows what is on Modi’s mind. His government keeps blowing hot and cold. The Pakistani side seems to have understood that Modi is in no real hurry to resolve the disputes and differences between the two countries, and is marking time. Accordingly, it has decided not to unduly press India further for a constructive engagement with India.

When it comes to Iran, that country also probably senses that in the scheme of things of the Hindu nationalist government in India, Islamophobia is the leitmotif for the Hindutva ideologues. The Modi government has neglected to mend India-Iran ties, which have been in a state of disrepair.

The Modi government never really understood the dynamics and alchemy of the U.S.-Iranian engagement through the past year. The stunning fact is that there has not been a single high-level visit from India to Iran during Modi’s stewardship through the past 10-month period. It must be a world record of sorts.

Thus, the plain truth is that India today lacks a coherent, consistent approach toward China, Pakistan or Iran. And no wonder, India is being visibly left behind at the station while the China-Pakistan-Iran train is pulling out.

Aah ha...so the axis of evil is finally complete

Badrakumar does come with regular brain farts in Asia times regularly.

Pakistan seems to be a ping pong ball in between Saudis, Iranians, Chinese, Americans and Russians. Till yesterday they were a potential part of the arab league military force and today they are supposedly siding with Iranians against Arabs.

Thus, the plain truth is that India today lacks a coherent, consistent approach toward China, Pakistan or Iran. And no wonder, India is being visibly left behind at the station while the China-Pakistan-Iran train is pulling out.



When were we even part of this nexus? The IP pipeline is going great ..eh Mr.Badrakumar? brain farts galore.

 

[SrNair]

Yes, but the catch phrase in the article actually pertained to US and India's role with its plans:

"The Modi government doesn’t know how to respond to China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives; it has one foot inside the U.S. “pivot strategy in Asia” and another foot outside; it plays the “Tibet card” against China but also expects Chinese investments to pour in; and, it regards China as an intruder into its sphere of influence in South Asian and Indian Ocean region."

You dont get it right .
You are making these big talks on the basis a junk piece of article written by a complete retard of Cold War times known as Bhadra Kumar .None gives a shit about his article.
.Our relationship with KSA and GCC is only on the basis of business and trade ,We also have an excellent trade and business relation with Iran .And we dont have any political relation with neither of them.When it comes to the politics and strategic needs Pakistan is the top partner of KSA .And it will always remain so.
Isolation what a stupidity
We also have a good trade relation with China .

You should also remember the Iran -India underwater pipeline.And feasiblity study is already done.

I disagree.

Pakistan itself will emerge as a strong regional leader from this crisis. Saudi and Iran are Pakistan's two kidneys, we are not going to lose either of the two.

In this case we need to follow an independant foreign policy. What author failed to mention is the fact that the ORIGINAL aim of Pak-China trainst deal is to connect with MENA region for trade and energy.

There is no 'anti Saudi' alliance in the making. Both Saudi and China are close partners, Pakistan will drive them closer.

Iran is also a token member of this project through IP. It will open up Pakistani & Chinese markets for Iran.

Pakistan needs a balancing act for greater good. The only biggest loser in this game will be Modi.

Ya right .He lose a lot of things when we sanctioned millions of $ for Chabahar port.

Iran surely understands that any country with a close alliance with Israel cannot be trusted.

Economic relations will always be good. But when it comes down to it if Israel attacks Iran, who will have Irans back? Pakistan or India?

Israel - Iran relation is none of our business. .And Iran dont need anyones help including yours .Now they have missile inventory that can even target Europe.
We only cares about our interest .

 

[Tshering22]

Well if they can pay for a pipeline they can get one through us.

Our problems with India are not so bad that we would turn down a good business deal. That will get them access to Russian and Central Asian reserves.

Russia, India Planning $30 Billion Oil Pipeline Through Xinjiang China

The Iran pipeline is going to go through Pakistan regardless though, and I'm not sure they will accept that.

This is not the era of a zero sum game unlike cold war.

Russia, GCC, Iran etc have energy; China and India need energy fuels.

The equation is simple. The Russia-China-India pipeline will become a reality very soon so as to diversify our fuel supplies.

I find Bhadrakumar's words shocking. What's wrong with a smart man like him?

Iran surely understands that any country with a close alliance with Israel cannot be trusted.

Economic relations will always be good. But when it comes down to it if Israel attacks Iran, who will have Irans back? Pakistan or India?

The entire Stans of CAR, Indonesia and even your spiritual leaders Turkey have strong relations with Israel despite political disagreements even today. And these are traditionally Muslim countries in modern times.

Are you telling me that Iranians don't know to differentiate between an enemy and a neutral country? Foreign policy is not emotions; it is a lot of brains, analysis and research.

You didn't even send your troops to assist GCC nations which bail you out; what gives you the inkling that your parliament will approve sending troops to fight for Iran against Israel?

BTW all this sabre rattling will stop now that the deal has been reached.

The blame lies entirely with the Narendra Modi government. The Modi brand of foreign policy is largely built on hot air and grandstanding and lacks substance. Very little conceptual thinking seems to be going into Modi’s foreign-policy peregrinations. It is all turning out to be sound and fury signifying nothing.

Bhadrakumar seems to be frustrated on not being given any post in the government.

Modi has a strong respect in both Iran and Saudi, with Israel also wanting to increase ties with India all at the same time and he is saying that the government doesn't have a foreign policy.

There has been no better policy than our current foreign policy till date; relations with China improved; With France and Germany enhanced; with Australia and USA augmented; with Japan further consolidated; with Russia strengthened even more; with IOR and Oceania island nations reiterated.

And this chap is saying that there's no policy.