Zubair Qureshi
A 4-member delegation from the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Sichuan University, China visited the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) to exchange views covering a wide range of subjects including the rapidly transforming global politics, Pakistan-China relations, the ‘Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’, water issues in South Asia, evolving situation in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s role in the Indian Ocean Region and its maritime strategy. The delegation was led by Associate Professor Dr. Zeng Xiangyu, and included Dr. Gao Liang, Ms. He Xiangyi, and Ms. Li Jialun. DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood extended a warm welcome to the visiting scholars from China stating that friendship with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and the time-tested, all-weather Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership was a factor of stability in the region and beyond.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he added, was pivotal for Pakistan’s economic turnaround and for regional connectivity and prosperity. He added that Pakistan fully supported President Xi Jinping’s vision to promote peace and development across the globe through major initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). Sharing perspective on major power competition DG ISSI Amb. Sohail Mahmood said it must be managed responsibly and it should not turn into confrontation. Pakistan would continue to stress that the key drivers of international relations should be peaceful co-existence and cooperation, and not confrontation and conflict. Earlier, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC briefed the visiting Chinese delegation about the structure and functioning of ISSI. He lauded the efforts made by China for global development, especially the CPEC. He recalled his recent two visits to China and emphasized people-to-people contacts for enhanced connectivity.
Dr. Neelum Nigar Director Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) discussed the water issues in South Asia. She said that climate change and global warming were exacerbating the water-related issues and underscored the need for collective efforts to minimise such non-traditional threats. Amina Khan, Director Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) evaluated the situation in Afghanistan.
