Recently, a piece of news that sparked regional tensions quickly grabbed the headlines - China has started a key military project on Pakistan soilThis project aims to build Pakistan's second Khangel-class submarine. This progress is not only a symbol of technical cooperation, but also a sign of deepening relations between the two countries. This new addition to the Pakistan Navy is seen as a direct challenge to India's maritime supremacy.
The starting point of the project marks China's support for Pakistan not just in words, but in terms of substantive military and technical assistance. This assistance is not only material, but also a strategic support, demonstrating China's influence in the international arena and its commitment to the security of its friendly neighbors.
The contract between China and Pakistan includes a deal for eight Hunger-class submarines, four of which were built by ChinaThe other four were built in Pakistan through technology transfer. This is not only a deepening of military cooperation, but also a manifestation of technology sharing and the enhancement of independent development capabilities. This development is undoubtedly a huge challenge for India.
India has long tried to maintain its maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean regionAnd this cooperation between China and Pakistan directly threatens its military and strategic superiority in the region. The Hunger-class submarines are characterized by their advanced concealment capabilities and long-lasting dive time, thanks to the newly developed sensors, ** systems and the AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) system, which allows the submarine to generate propulsion power without relying on air, so that it can continue to sail underwater for weeks without frequent ascent.
What makes India even more unsettling is thatPakistan claims that the submarine will be equipped with a newly developed Babur III cruise missile, which has a range of up to 700 kilometers, a stealth assault capability that is enough to pose a substantial threat to India. Although the Indian Navy surpasses Pakistan in absolute strength, it obviously lacks effective reconnaissance and countermeasures in the face of such extremely stealthy submarines.
India's unease is not only about military-technical challenges, but also about concerns about China's growing influence in the region. In India's view, the Indian Ocean should be its natural sphere of influence, but while China is providing Pakistan with advanced systems, it is also supporting small countries in the Indian Ocean region and maintaining their independence and security, thus making the Indian Ocean a truly international high sea, which directly hinders India's attempts to expand its influence in the region.
The close cooperation between Pakistan and China extends not only in the military sphere, but also in the economic and geopolitical spheres. Pakistan plays an important role in China's global economic strategy, especially in the construction and operation of the Gwadar portThis not only helps China bypass potential maritime bottlenecks, such as the Strait of Malacca, but also boosts Pakistan's national economic development.
As the economic interests of the two countries become increasingly intertwined, the depth and breadth of the relationship between the two sides are constantly strengthening. Behind this series of actions,India's military and political provocations appear to have served as a catalyst for strengthening China's relations with Pakistan. Whether it's protecting their economic lifelines or defending their homeland, the two countries are aware of the need to join forces to counter India's provocations.
Therefore,Every move by India has invisibly pushed the relationship between China and Pakistan closer together, and this cooperation will only become stronger for the foreseeable future. As India flexes its muscles in what it considers to be its backyard – the Indian Ocean – the joint actions of China and Pakistan reaffirm the complexity of geopolitics and the importance of multilateral relations.
This complexity is not only reflected in military cooperationIt is more about how the two countries can skillfully seek an advantage for themselves in the international arena through common interests and strategic goals. The Hangel-class submarines built by China in Pakistan are not just a simple military project, they represent a far-reaching strategic layout.
In this regard, some netizens said:
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In this way, China not only supports Pakistan in upgrading its military capabilities to counter potential threats from India, but also paves a safe passage for its own interests in the Indian Ocean region. This win-win situation has undoubtedly brought unprecedented challenges to India's regional hegemony.
For China, Pakistan is not only a military and strategic ally, but also a military and strategic allyForeign tradeAn integral part of the initiative. Through the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the ties between the two countries have been further strengthened, and the strategic location of the Gwadar port has made it a key node connecting the markets of the Middle East and Africa. This in-depth economic and strategic cooperation has enabled China-Pakistan relations to transcend traditional alliances and become true strategic partners.
Against this backdrop, India's anxiety and reaction is understandable. India has been trying to build a web of security and influence around its neighborhood in order to assert its dominance in South Asia. However, the close cooperation between China and Pakistan is undoubtedly a direct challenge to India's strategic plan. In particular, in the area of maritime security, India's dominant position in the Indian Ocean has been challenged as never before.
The addition of the Hangel-class submarine has not only enhanced the strength of the Pakistan Navy, but more importantly, improved its strategic deterrence capability, which is undoubtedly a huge threat to India, which relies on sea lanes.
However,India's response to China-Pakistan cooperation has tended to remain superficial in its military and strategic dimensions, ignoring the deeper economic and geopolitical considerations behind such cooperation. With the changes in the global political and economic landscape and the increasing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, the cooperation between China and Pakistan is not only a challenge to India, but also a kind of protection and expansion of its own interests in the new international environment.
For India, the growing cooperation between China and Pakistan requires a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics behind such cooperation, rather than simply seeing it as confrontation and challenge. In this multipolar world, cooperation and competition between countries are all for the maximization of their own interests. India needs to find ways to work with its neighbors, including China and Pakistan, while protecting its own security and interests.
Ultimately, the military and geopolitical contest that revolves around the Hangel-class submarines is not just a wrestling between the three powers, but also part of a game of emerging and traditional global powers. In the process, each country is looking for the best path for its own future and security. For observers, understanding the complexity and multidimensionality of this process will help to grasp the trends in international relations more comprehensively.
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