Gwadar port holds key to a major geopolitical game in South Asia.
In Pakistan, Punjab has been the province that has often come to dominate its national politics. A large chunk of Pakistan Army officials, politicians and administrative officers hail from Punjab. Though Punjab's importance in Pakistani politics remains unchanged, port city of Gwadar is faraway Balochistan region has increasingly come into focus not just in Pakistan, but in regional inter-state politics.
Gwadar port is currently being developed by China as a part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which in turn, is a part of China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. Through Gwadar, China is trying hard to secure a friendly base in Arabian Sea which is considered to be in the sphere of influence of Indian Navy.
Location of Gwadar is denoted by the red marker in the map.
Not just Gwadar, China is also developing a rail and road network which will connect the port to the northern tip of Pakistan and subsequently, chinese region of Xinjiang. In other words, China will be able to bypass seas dominated by the Indian Navy and will be able to supply goods to impoverished regions in eastern China which are very far away from Chinese capital and megacities.
Gwadar gives China easy access to Strait of Hormuz through which global oil trade takes place.
Problems in Balochistan
Balochistan region is formally administered by Pakistan but a strong resentment exists in the local population against the Pakistani rule. Locals have often picked up arms and attacked Pakistani Army which they claim has "occupied" their homeland. Many armed groups have organised attacks against the Pakistani state.
Gwadar falls in Balochistan.
Chinese presence in Gwadar has increased tensions in the region as local population perceives it as another attempt by the Pakistani state to assert its power over it.
Pakistan has often accused India of supporting armed groups in Balochistan against Pakistani Army.
To counter Chinese influence in Gawadar, India is developing Chabahar port in Iran. Chabahar is closer to strait of Hormuz than Gwadar and can prove a vital port to serve Indian strategic interests in Afghanistan.
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