Aim and Scope

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a comprehensive plan for uplifting socio-economic advancements, and to promote regional integration at the global level .In South Asia, one of the BRI’s plans, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has the potential to exacerbate not only the regional integration but to augment Pakistan’s national integration. CPEC is considered as a ‘game changer’ by both China and Pakistan due to its geo-political and geo-economic implication. Presently, CPEC has generated misgivings between center and provincial governments of Pakistan. This paper evaluates the impact of CPEC to redress inter-provincial and federal-provincial disparities through compromises and dialogues. To comprehend the association between economic development and national integration, the theory of nation-building provides understanding to identify the main proponents of this debate.

Convergence and divergence: two different terms used in international relations. Normally, convergence means coming together or organized while divergence means moving apart, or differences, or disagreement. Both the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China are playing a significant role in South Asia, especially in India and Pakistan. Several interests are converging between Washington and Beijing while major diverging interest is more prominent. South Asian states have good relations with both major powers but face issues owing to their divergence of interest. The primary purpose of this study is to answer the research question about the convergence and divergence of interest of both states in South Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan in the era of President Obama. To answer the research question secondary sources of data are used and the analysis is done based on collected data. This study provides a new contribution and direction for researchers and policymakers in this domain.

Wars always change the course of the history; and not only affect the human lives socially, politically, and economically but also bring new dimensions of brutality and violence. After World War II, the advent of nuclear weaponry altered the conventional war techniques and introduced new warfare methods. Since the conventional war among the superpowers has become antiquated thus states engage in conventional wars only to show their capabilities so that deterrence remains intact. However, in modern times, wars have now become multi-dimensional; and in such a case, hybrid warfare strategy has been proven more effective as it includes both conventional and non-conventional tools. Considering all this, Pakistan and India both are nuclear states and they do not confront each other directly rather they use non-conventional tools to subdue each other. The military modernization and doctrinal change by India has created a security threat for Pakistan. In this paper qualitative method is used to study that how India has employed hybrid warfare against Pakistan, what are the consequences, and how Pakistan can counter Indian hybrid warfare.

It is scribbled in the pages of history that many well-disposed efforts such as, making alliances to reverse the rivalries end up failing or even worsening the situations because of the complexity of the trust operation in relationships. This can aptly be identified in the recent Anglo-Saxon alliance, formally known as AUKUS agreement. Ostensibly, AUKUS is a trilateral security agreement among Britain, America and Australia (O’Connor, Cox, & Cooper, 2021). This trilateral military agreement aimed at augmenting the security in the Indo-Pacific region. America with the help of Britain planned to ensure regional security by providing Australia with Nuclear powered submarines and also aiding in cyber capacities, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. But it has stronger and deeper messages for the world that need keen attentions. AUKUS agreement aptly illustrates that even the closest of friends can become your enemies when the economic concerns are at stake. This article encompasses around the paradoxical statement that ‘an alliance to make your friends your enemies’ and also tries to substantiate it with two things. First, being the robust and aggressive reaction to this agreement by France, calling it “stabbing in the back” and second, mixed and perturbed reactions of other states (Vock, 2021). This agreement also carries both negative and serious Nuclear Proliferation concerns that also put question mark on the security of the region in future.

Pakistan-Russia relations remained chaotic during last seven decades. Their interactions were started in early sixties however; it proved a brief marriage of convenience as there was a divergence of interests during Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. Viewing its national interests and religious affiliation, Pakistan favored and supported Afghanistan. It also extended her support for America’s anti-Soviet operation which caused a chasm between Pak-Russia relations. On the other hand, Kremlin established deep strategic ties with India; arch rival of Pakistan, who frolicked a grievous role in rupturing Pak-Soviet links. Due to these cracks, both have failed to establish durable relationship during last century. However, enmity or amity; nothing is permanent in international political realm but national interest. In the backdrop of fast changing regional and global security milieu, states have reassessed their relations in immediate peripheries to mitigate emerging security threats. Viewing the geopolitical and geostrategic compulsions; Pakistan and Russia are also coming closer and reviving their relations. This study focuses on different opportunities of Pak-Russia cooperation as well as discusses their mutual interests mainly in terms of defense and economy.