Chinese troops may enter restive region, warns Baloch leader

A Baloch representative has warned the Indian Government of a “serious and imminent threat” emanating from the deepening Pakistan-China strategic nexus, cautioning that Beijing could deploy military forces in Balochistan in the coming months — a move he said would have grave implications for regional security and India’s strategic interests.In an open letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Mir Yar Baloch, identifying himself as a representative of the "Republic of Balochistan", said the final phases of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could pave the way for a direct Chinese military presence in the resource-rich but restive region.

It is pertinent to note that Balochistan is not an independent country, but a province of Pakistan located along the country's western border.

“Should the defence and freedom forces of Balochistan continue to be ignored and not strengthened, it is conceivable that China could deploy its military forces in Balochistan within a few months,” the letter warned. "The presence of Chinese boots on Balochistani soil without the will of the 60 million Baloch people... would pose an 'unimaginable threat' to both India and Balochistan," he said.

The letter, dated January 1, congratulated the people and the Government of India on the New Year and highlighted what it described as centuries-old historical, cultural and spiritual links between India and Balochistan, citing the Hinglaj Mata Temple as a symbol of shared civilisational heritage.

Mir Yar Baloch strongly criticised Pakistan’s control over Balochistan, alleging nearly eight decades of “state occupation, state-sponsored terrorism and gross human rights atrocities”. He said the time had come to address the issue “at its roots” to ensure peace and sovereignty for the Baloch people.

The Baloch leader also praised the Modi government’s hardline response to terrorism, referring to Operation Sindoor carried out last year following the Pahalgam terror attack. The action, he said, demonstrated India’s “resolve and commitment to regional security”.

Warning that threats faced by India and Balochistan were “genuine and imminent”, Mir Yar Baloch called for tangible and reciprocal cooperation between the two sides in areas ranging from security and defence to trade, energy and countering covert threats.

“The Republic of Balochistan views the escalating strategic alliance between Pakistan and China as profoundly dangerous,” the letter read, asserting that CPEC’s advancement under Chinese protection could alter the regional balance if left unchecked.

The letter concluded with an appeal for stronger collaboration between India and what he described as the 'Republic of Balochistan', pledging unwavering support to India in pursuit of shared interests related to peace, stability and development.

There was no immediate response from the Ministry of External Affairs to the letter.