Abstract:
Chinese Foreign policy is of vital importance in the South Asian region which in turn carries
highly significant prominence in defining the course of events that affect the contours of
international political order. The strategic importance of the region centers on the fact that it is
the gateway to the Indian Ocean which is known as the energy jugular of global trade. The
changing political dynamics of South Asia particularly in relation with Pakistan and India, the
two major nuclear capable actors, are also significant. In order to assess the foreign policy of
China with two regional rivals a constructivist analysis is undertaken based on a rational actor
model. A comparative rational analysis based on the five principles of coexistence i.e., respect
for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, noninterference in each
other‘s domestic affairs, equality and mutual cooperation is formulated along with strategic
and economic policies of China towards India and Pakistan. This dissertation also analyzes
the foreign policy of these actors namely China, Pakistan and India, to asses paradigm shifts
in policy from 2000 to 2014. The thesis highlights changing trends on various economic and
military levels to understand foreign policy.
