What is the primary strategic rationale Pakistan cites for maintaining close ties with China despite Western criticism?
Q1. What is the primary strategic rationale Pakistan cites for maintaining close ties with China despite Western criticism?
Answer: China offers development finance without political conditionalities
Explanation: Pakistan consistently argues that Chinese investment and loans, particularly under CPEC, come without the governance conditionalities attached by Western lenders and the IMF, making China a more politically convenient development partner.