China’s Foreign Policy towards Bangladesh and Pakistan: In the Context of Geo-strategic Issues (Early 21st Century)
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Abstract
Geo-strategy is a geopolitical branch of foreign policy that is largely influenced by geographical variables in terms of warning, limiting, or influencing political and military preparation. The term geo-economics has been used in recent years to describe the perceived superiority of economics in interstate affairs over politics. The key purpose of this research is to concentrate on the geostrategic and economic value of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf, where there is a great interest in China. In addition, the study found that the Bay of Bengal, southeast Bangladesh-Pakistan, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and Port of Gwadar are of considerable significance to China for trade and investment purposes, as well as for exports and imports. The study attempted to examine the ongoing development of China-Bangladesh-Pakistan relations in the diplomatic, military, and economic spheres. These trends have had a significant effect on South Asia in general and on the relations between China and Bangladesh and Pakistan in particular. China-Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have developed in the diplomatic, military, and economic realms in the early 21st century. This analysis was carried out on the basis of secondary sources. The study argues that the Bay of Bengal is an important region for China because of its easy access to the Indian Ocean, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Pakistan is situated at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, lying astride China, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia, and has the potential to become a crossroads for trade, transportation, and oil.
Keywords: China, Foreign Policy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bay of Bengal, Geostrategic, Indian Ocean, Geo-economic, Port of Gwadar, Persian Gulf
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