Regional Connectivity: Challenges, Prospects and the Way Forward for Pakistan

Abstract

Regional Connectivity and linkages among the states via land, sea or air, are the viable means to bring sustainable peace, infrastructural development and meaningful prosperity in a region. Regional Connectivity is deemed to be excellent opportunity for ensuring peace and development in Pakistan. The geo-strategic location of Pakistan brings it at the cross roads of South, East, and Central Asian states. This location may be used as an asset or may be opted as a liability. Owing to the contemporary strategies and policies of Pakistan and the regional states especially China, Pakistan is at the center of regional connectivity as it provides access to Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics, Russia onto European nations, Middle Eastern states, Arabian Peninsula, Persian Gulf, Gwadar and Chabahar ports and other straits in the region. Chinese flagship projects of BRI and OBOR are the manifestation of regional connectivity for ensuring peace and development in the region. Nevertheless, there are certain challenges that these projects have to face, which ranges from local to national, national to regional and then becoming global in nature because of local issues of the stakeholders, national interests of various states, regional groupings and global political scenario respectively. Nonetheless, by taking onboard all the stakeholders and ensuring win-win game for all may prove pivotal in minimizing these challenges.
OBOR, CPEC, GWADAR, CHABAHAR, Regional Connectivity