In a stark warning that could reshape regional security dynamics, prominent Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has raised an alarm over the deepening strategic ties between China and Pakistan. He has claimed that these ties could lead to the deployment of Chinese military forces in Pakistan's restive Balochistan region within the coming months.
An Open Letter to India's External Affairs Minister
On New Year's Day, Mir Yar Baloch took to social media platform X to publish an open letter addressed to India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar. In his detailed communication, Baloch articulated the grave concerns of Baloch representatives, labeling the growing Islamabad-Beijing partnership as "profoundly dangerous" for his homeland.
He painted a grim picture of Balochistan's history, stating that the region has endured "decades of repression under Pakistan's control," which includes what he termed state-sponsored violence and widespread human rights abuses. "The people of Balochistan have endured Pakistan's state occupation, state-sponsored terrorism, and egregious human rights atrocities for the past seventy-nine years," he wrote, calling for action to ensure lasting peace and sovereignty.
The CPEC Factor and a Dire Military Warning
Central to Baloch's warning is the rapid progression of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that traverses through Balochistan. He asserted that the two nations are moving swiftly toward the final stages of this massive infrastructure undertaking.
The letter contained a specific and alarming prediction. "Should the capabilities of Balochistan's defense and freedom forces not be further bolstered... it is conceivable that China could deploy its military forces in Balochistan within a few months," Mir Yar Baloch stated. He emphasized that any such deployment without the consent of the Baloch people would pose an "unimaginable threat" to the futures of both India and Balochistan.
India's Stance and Praise for Military Action
Mir Yar Baloch's letter also commended India's recent military posture. He specifically praised Operation Sindoor, India's targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. He described these actions as demonstrating "exemplary courage and a steadfast commitment to regional security and justice."
This outreach aligns with India's long-standing and consistent opposition to CPEC. New Delhi has repeatedly objected to the corridor as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, territory India claims as its own. The government views the project as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier this year, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reiterated India's position in the Rajya Sabha. In a written reply, he stated that India has consistently protested the inclusion of CPEC as a BRI flagship project and has asked concerned parties to cease such activities, declaring any expansion of CPEC as "unacceptable."
It is crucial to note that both China and Pakistan have consistently denied any military dimension to CPEC, maintaining that it is purely an economic development initiative. As of now, there has been no official response from the governments of India, China, or Pakistan to the specific claims made in Mir Yar Baloch's open letter.
