Pak-China-US Triangle vis-à-vis Soviet Union in Afghan War

Abstract

A triangular alliance was made among Pakistan, China and the United States to oppose the Soviet’s presence in Afghanistan. Common interest brought together these states to form a united front in 1980s and to help the anti-Soviet resistance forces in Afghanistan. The paper discusses and discovers the reasons of triangular joint front, their concerns and objectives. Pakistan was concerned about its western border with Afghanistan which was directly threatened. The eastern border was also not safe, as India had backing of the Moscow. Indian Ocean was another area under threat for which Kremlin had long been aspired to have access there. China was mainly concerned with its Muslim dominated Xinjiang region, having a common border with Wakhan area of Afghanistan. A direct threat was existing and could ignite the turbulent society of Xinjiang. Encirclement was an additional concern for China in the wake of Red Army’s climbing over Kabul. The US was fighting its ideological Cold War and used the Mujahideen against the Soviets. The paper analyzes that how the three states (Pakistan, China, US) strengthened their efforts against the Soviet and trained the Mujahideen. A descriptive-analytical and qualitative method is used for research.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2192