STRATEGIC BALANCING IN SOUTH ASIA: PAKISTAN’S FOREIGN POLICY BEHAVIOR AMID U.S.–CHINA RIVALRY AND THE EXPANSION OF THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

Abstract

This study examines Pakistan’s foreign policy behavior amid the intensifying U.S.–China rivalry and the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a focus on strategic balancing, economic imperatives, and regional security implications. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from official documents, policy statements, and secondary sources, and analyzed through thematic content analysis. Findings indicate that Pakistan strategically aligns with China through CPEC for economic development while selectively engaging the U.S. to maintain security cooperation and diplomatic leverage. Domestic political and economic factors further moderate policy decisions, shaping the intensity and timing of strategic engagement. The study highlights Pakistan’s sophisticated hedging strategy, which enables it to preserve autonomy, maximize economic benefits, and manage regional security dynamics. The findings contribute to the literature on multipolar foreign policy behavior and offer policy insights for enhancing strategic decision-making in South Asia.