Pakistan Turns To China For Naval Base -- Financial TimesPakistan has asked China to build a naval base at its south-western port of Gwadar and expects the Chinese navy to maintain a regular presence there, a plan likely to alarm both India and the US.
“We have asked our Chinese brothers to please build a naval base at Gwadar,” Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar, Pakistan’s defence minister, told the Financial Times, confirming that the request was conveyed to China during a visit last week by Yusuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan’s prime minister.
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More News On The Growing Chinese - Pakistan Military Alliance
Beijing Agrees to Operate a Key Port, Pakistan Says -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistan asks Beijing to help build naval base -- Asia One/AFP
Taking charge: China ready to operate Gwadar port -- Express Tribune/Reuters
‘China agrees to run Gwadar port’ -- DAWN
China to take control of Gwadar Port -- Express Tribune
My Comment: China's navy now has its port of call near the Middle East. I predict that this move is going to change the strategic balance in the region within the next few years.
Hat Tip to WNU reader Colin McCabe for this story.