China’s Assertive Posture, PoK Investments, and China-Pakistan Military Ties Raise Strategic Concerns for India Amid Quad Summit Warnings

Recent analyses highlight the evolving dynamics of the Sino-Indian border dispute and regional alignments in South Asia. Beijing perceives the border dispute with India as contained and unlikely to involve external powers, which supports China's increasingly assertive stance. The 1962 Sino-Indian war influenced regional partnerships, notably strengthening Pakistan's alliance with China, marked by Pakistan's dependence on Chinese military aid and investments. China’s investments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) infrastructure and the export of dual-use drones to Pakistan are viewed as strategic moves rather than neutral policies, prompting calls for India to recalibrate its deterrence doctrine. Meanwhile, Pakistan maintains a dual strategy by engaging with the United States while deepening defense cooperation with China, including acquiring advanced fighter jets, a development that poses risks for India. At the Quad Summit, member nations expressed concerns over China's actions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea's missile launches, and the Myanmar crisis. Indian experts emphasize the need for nuanced understanding of the China-Pakistan nexus and advocate for long-term strategic clarity domestically and expanded foreign policy engagement to counterbalance Beijing's regional influence.