Better ties vital for Pak-India-China prosperity: ex-FM Kasuri

Peaceful coexistence between Pakistan, India, and China is essential for unlocking regional connectivity, stabilizing trade routes, and combating poverty, according to former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. He addressed a gathering in Lahore celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Kasuri, who also chairs the Understanding China Forum (UCF), emphasized that Pakistan's recent diplomatic achievements position it to pursue constructive engagement across South and Central Asia. He noted that Pakistan has only realized less than 25% of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's (CPEC) potential.

Reflecting on China's development journey, Kasuri attributed its success to four key pillars: people-centered governance focused on improving quality of life through poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and infrastructure; theoretical innovation allowing adaptation to changing circumstances; strong leadership development within the CPC; and a commitment to peaceful development and global cooperation.

Kasuri also provided a historical analysis of global revolutions, contrasting the Chinese Communist Revolution with earlier Western and Soviet milestones. He highlighted Chairman Mao Zedong's adaptation of Marxism to an agrarian-focused movement and Deng Xiaoping's role in modernizing China under the concept of "Socialism with Chinese characteristics," famously encapsulated by the maxim, "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice."