Choice Paradox: How South Asian Countries Choose Between China And The Us

Abstract

In international relations, countries engage, disengage, and re-engage, keeping in view their core interests in the region. While engaging or making friends in the region, countries need to have a careful choice. Such type of advice came from one of the top diplomats in Pakistan. It is also a well-established fact that ‘nothing is permanent but the interest of the countries’. The dilemma among underdeveloped countries is that, for one reason or the other, they opt to engage with a country that is more powerful: economically, militarily, and technologically. This article explores the choice paradox of the South Asian countries while choosing between China and America. Further, it explains the choice paradox as theorized in International Relations, and sheds light on how and why South Asian states engage with Beijing and Washington for their economic stability, security, and democracy in the region. What is the impact of this engagement (China and American engagement with South Asian states) in the region? Based on the Choice Paradox theorization in IR and qualitative research (secondary and primary sources of data), this paper will reach its findings and conclusion.