Dr Shabir Choudhry

New Round of the 'great Game': a Study on Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir Dr Shabir Choudhry

A New Chapter of the Great Game is unfolding. In the past the main threat was from the Russia, now this danger is from other players with greater interest in the region. New threat is from China and the USA, with India also having keen interest in the region and ambition to revive the old Silk Route to boost economic and strategic goals. China was not, and is not, part of the Kashmir dispute, although it is in possession of the Kashmiri territory; and some quarters are advancing such theories that China should also be a party and a stakeholder in the Kashmir dispute. No doubt we need peace and stability in South Asia, but it cannot be achieved by adding more fuel to the fire or by cutting out some role for China in matters of Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese attitude over the past months and especially over the past 15 to 18 months has changed ? it is more assertive and pro active. They are substantially increasing their influence and hold in areas of Gilgit Baltistan.