Pakistan and China Reaffirm Support for Security and Agriculture at SCO Meeting

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Pakistan and China have solidified their commitment to mutual support in security and agriculture during a July 2025 meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, with a continued emphasis on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Critics, however, warn that Pakistan’s growing reliance on Beijing risks compromising its sovereignty. This article explores the reaffirmed partnership and its regional implications.

On July 16, 2025, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin. Both nations pledged to deepen cooperation in security, agriculture, and industry. Dar emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects, addressing concerns following recent attacks in Balochistan. He also expressed Pakistan’s full support for China’s preparations for the SCO Tianjin Summit and highlighted plans to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties in 2026. Wang Yi underscored the goal of building a “China-Pakistan community with a shared future,” focusing on the high-quality development of CPEC.

CPEC, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), involves infrastructure investments totaling approximately $65 billion. However, Pakistan’s $26.6 billion debt to China, as reported by the World Bank in 2023, raises concerns about economic dependency. Agricultural cooperation aims to boost Pakistan’s exports, but some observers question whether the Sharif government’s emphasis on foreign partnerships detracts from urgently needed domestic reforms. Security collaboration, including joint military drills in Gilgit-Baltistan, also draws scrutiny amid fears that Pakistan might be ceding strategic control.

During the SCO meeting, Dar urged the peaceful resolution of regional disputes, including Kashmir, through dialogue and condemned “state terrorism.” Yet critics argue that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is prioritizing its Beijing alliance while sidelining pressing internal challenges such as persistent power outages that have sparked public protests. Pakistan’s alignment with China within the SCO framework may strain relations with Western allies, especially amid ongoing concerns about U.S. sanctions.

While the partnership with China offers significant economic opportunities, it requires careful management to ensure Pakistan’s sovereignty is preserved in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.