Balochistan as an Energy Corridor: China, United States and Pakistan in focus

Abstract

This research attempts to study the geo-strategic significance of Balochistan, located at the juncture of the Middle East, Central and South East Asia, as an energy corridor for Pakistan, China, United States and other regional powers. With its geostrategic location and the deep sea port of Gwadar located only 180 nautical miles away from the Strait of Hormuz, Balochistan not only provides world powers a transit route to the landlocked and energy-rich Central Asian statesbut also serves as a gateway tothe Middle Eastern and African energy reserves and markets forChina.With the independence of the five Central Asian states in 1991, its significance as an energy outlet has increased even more in the arena of geopolitics. Since this research aims to focus particularly on Pakistan, China and the United States, the implications of Gwadar port development are explored for each of these states in detail, while also briefly, for India, Iran and Russia.Among the main research objectives of the study is to explore the implications of China’s recent takeover of the Gwadar Port for the United States’ prospects of funneling out the Central Asian energy supply to the Indian Ocean, as has been part of its stated policy towards the Central Asian States.The implications of the US prolonged presence in Afghanistan, India’s increased involvement in Afghanistan,Iran’s development of its Chahbahar port, and theinsurgency in Balochistan on the future of the Gwadar port are someof the aspects analytically examined in this research using theoretical frameworks within the domain of International Relations.