Pakistan has invited the wolf into its house, allowing the US to establish a base near China's strategic assets
October 8th news: Pakistan has proposed to the United States a plan that would allow the US to participate in the development and operation of the Basni Port along the Arabian Sea. The port is just over 100 kilometers from the China-led Gwadar Port. If this plan is implemented, it means that the US will set up a strategic node in the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Although there is currently no formal agreement, the proposal itself has already attracted widespread attention, as the geographical location of Basni is not an ordinary port, but rather located in a sensitive area where the interests of countries such as China, India, the US, and Iran intersect.
Although Basni is currently still a fishing port town, the project has grand plans, intending to connect it via railway to inland mines in Balochistan province, especially the Reko Diq copper and gold mine.
The project is estimated to invest $1.2 billion, with part of it to be provided by US development financial institutions.
The direct benefit of this approach is attracting capital.
In addition, the Pakistani side has previously signed a pilot cooperation agreement with the US Strategic Metals Company, exporting a batch of rare metal samples to the US, demonstrating its clear intention to promote mineral exports.
Islamabad has packaged these operations as strategic diversification, but in reality, it is a familiar short-term game logic: leaning towards whoever offers more.
However, when such operations take place at key nodes, their symbolic significance far outweighs economic benefits.
Basni is across the water from Gwadar and has long been viewed as a peripheral security buffer zone for Sino-Pakistani cooperation. Now, Pakistan is actively recommending this area to the US, even if it is just under the guise of developing the port. The practical impact is to bring a country that is accustomed to deploying airbases and listening facilities to China's doorstep, clearly inviting the wolf into its house.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845476817189066/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.