Gwadar Port and Corridoristan

Abstract

Historically water-waves and their control has played important role in international politics. Today as a result of technological development sea power influences the course of political history more than ever before. Importance of maritime trade and naval security implies construction of seaports and maritime routes. In light of the evolving economic and security architecture in Asia due to regional and global realignments, Gwadar port has gained geopolitical significance for peace, security and economic development in the region. Connecting western China to Middle East and Africa by a shorter overland road and rail infrastructure projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and providing landlocked Central Asia an access route to the Indian Ocean, the port will promote regional economic cooperation and development. The changing geostrategic and Geo-economic landscape in Eurasian region due to great power shift, the unfolding New Great Game in the region, and the role of Asia to influence the growing prospects of multipolar world order, Gwadar port will impact the power equation in Eurasia and the broader Asian region. Connected with other six proposed economic corridors of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the region forms a economic Corridoristan, which will promote inter-regional and intraregional trade and economic development. But due to its geostrategic location and relative advantage for Pakistan and China the project faces geopolitical challenges.