Rahul Gandhi's self goals in Lok Sabha : When he said China and Pakistan 'came closer' due to Modi Govt

The fact of the matter is China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier and its third-largest trading partner. Beijing is a sort of Islamabad's most trusted friend and guide.

All these could not have happened in just seven-eight years. The fact is diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan were established in 1950, boundary issues were resolved in 1963, military assistance began in 1965.

One PM, Two potential PMs and 'fourth' with a remote control PM

In 1971, China saw from a distance Pakistan's humiliation but provided moral support and diplomatic assistance. China-Pak strategic alliance commenced in in 1972 and deeper economic cooperation came about in 1979. The circa 2014 was far-off.

What was stated by Rahul Gandhi could be done only by a part-time politician, who thinks 'good debate' is what sounds well in a meeting or in one parliamentary discussion. Politics is more than 9 to 5 job, former Congress president and perhaps also the future Congress president does not realise this.  

The geo-strategic environment has dramatically altered from what was in 1949 or even 1980s. Even a few decades back, both China and Pakistan were mostly underdeveloped or developing nations with GDP almost at parity. But in 2022, China is a "Super Power" and a fierce competitor to the United States. 

Beijing has reasons today to do the testing about its power hegemony in the neighbourhood. India in contrast was a diplomatically shy country for years and most of these years, no other than Rahul's grand old party has been in power. 

Of course in shyness of India's foreign policy was non interference in internal matters of any other country. China following the communists' strategies gave unto itself the subversive roles. 

Even in north east of India, the Central government under Congress looked the other way or just could not understand what it should do. China had seen in India a growing regional power in the eastern front and thus they wanted their love-hate relationship with India to go to a logical end and that through subversive elements like the multiple militant groups.

On the other hand from Pakistan's perspective despite the 1971 humiliation in its eastern wing, Islamabad kept a focused approach in pushing its foreign policy. It might not be based on principles. But somehow the Islamabad-Beijing nexus flourished. There was an element of paradox in that too. 

A pro-American Ayub Khan dispensation had drafted Zulfikar Ali Bhutto into politics. Bhutto in his foresight decided that wooing the People's Republic of China could be a worthwhile long-term investment. Do not miss the point that in 1949-50 too, Pakistan had voted against China's admission into the UN. 

In fact, on Feb 2, 1971, the American embassy in Islamabad had reported to Washington that the Sino-Pak relationship is "an emotional quality especially in West Pakistan (now mainland Pak)".  Rahul Gandhi and his speech writers would have done well to realise that China had only enhanced ties with Pakistan after the 1965 War. Beijing had begun to supply defence hardware particularly to the Pakistani Air Force. 

Later on for many years, China's contribution to Pakistan's nuke and missile programmes were critical and vital. 

Rahul Gandhi must first re-look at all the blunders committed by his great grandfather Nehru, grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhi.