The U.S. government recently imposed sanctions on Chinese companies allegedly supporting Pakistan's ballistic missile capabilities, reflecting an extension of the ongoing U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry. While these measures may jeopardize Pakistan's broader defense initiatives, they could also indirectly push the country closer towards China.

Tumultuous developments in Pakistan have created a less welcoming environment for foreign aid, as China’s generous investments into Pakistan seem to have come to a grinding halt.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an essential component of Beijing and Islamabad’s economic relationship, but the CPEC has faced extensive pressures internally and externally, including strong criticism from the U.S. and India.

India and Pakistan share a deeply intertwined and embattled history. And now that India sees China entering the picture to back Pakistani development, the thought of two neighboring rivals growing closer has put India on notice.

India and China have a long history of border disputes, which have heated up recently. Stacked interests between China, India, and Pakistan hold the region on a seesaw, and BRI and CPEC may benefit from the conflict and pandemic.

Many Pakistanis are concerned about how much of the country’s current widening account deficit is a consequence of China’s landmark Belt & Road Initiative.

The Baloch insurgency in Pakistan is now targeting Chinese-investments. The Pakistani government alleges that India wants to sabotage its relationship with China by supporting the insurgents.

Newly-appointed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has two realistic options: to further inflate the country’s Chinese debt, or to look to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout for the 15th time since the 1980s. Both options have serious drawbacks.

Pakistan now has a new government. But will this change Pakistan’s relationship with one of its closest allies - China?

As Pakistan’s new prime minister takes the reins of power, he will be forced to adapt to his country’s shifting relationships with two world powers: China and the United States.