‘Iron brothers’: How China and Pakistan built an unlikely 75-year bond

Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley—a 5,180-square-kilometer territory in the Karakoram range—to China in 1963, a rare act of land transfer driven by strategic necessity. The move followed China’s 1962 victory over India, as Pakistan sought to align with Beijing to counter Indian claims over disputed Kashmir. This transaction, along with unacknowledged nuclear cooperation and Pakistan’s role in facilitating China’s 1971 diplomatic opening, laid the foundation for their enduring alliance. The two nations now celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties, with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasizing a 'converging vision' in recent parliamentary talks. A unanimous Senate resolution reaffirmed their 'friendship and brotherhood,' while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prepares for a four-day state visit to Beijing, accompanied by senior officials. Official rhetoric highlights phrases like 'iron brothers' and 'all-weather friendship,' though analysts argue the relationship’s durability stems from structural complementarity rather than shared values. China’s control over the Shaksgam Valley remains contested by India, yet Pakistan’s transfer of the territory reflects its long-standing strategic alignment with China. The partnership has evolved beyond symbolic gestures, encompassing economic corridors, military cooperation, and nuclear undertakings—though neither side has formally confirmed the latter. As Sharif’s visit approaches, joint statements will likely reaffirm decades-old commitments, masking the transactional nature of their collaboration. Observers note that while public declarations frame the relationship as ideological, its resilience depends on mutual geopolitical interests. Pakistan’s role in supporting China’s global ambitions—from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to diplomatic backing—has solidified their bond, despite occasional tensions. The upcoming celebrations will underscore their shared opposition to India, though the full scope of their partnership extends beyond rhetoric to pragmatic alliances in energy, defense, and nuclear domains.