Baloch Leader Warns EAM Jaishankar of Potential Chinese Troop Deployment in Balochistan, Citing Regional Stability Concerns

Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has made a significant appeal to India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, cautioning that China may soon deploy its troops in Pakistan's Balochistan province as part of its growing strategic ties with Islamabad.

In an open letter dated January 1, 2026, and circulated on social media, Mir Yar Baloch described the potential Chinese military presence as a major threat to regional stability, with significant consequences for both Balochistan and India. He urged the Indian government to closely observe these developments and support Baloch resistance forces as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) moves into what he called its "final and most sensitive phase."

Balochistan, the largest and most turbulent province in Pakistan, has been the site of an insurgency fueled by claims of political marginalization, economic exploitation, and human rights violations. Mir Yar Baloch suggested that the fast-tracking of CPEC—a central project of China's Belt and Road Initiative linking Xinjiang to Gwadar Port—might lead Beijing to station troops to protect its investments.

He warned that such a deployment, made without local consent, could sharply increase tensions in South Asia, potentially destabilizing India's western security environment and shifting the strategic equilibrium in the Indian Ocean Region.

India has consistently opposed CPEC, arguing that the corridor runs through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), thus infringing on India's sovereignty. The prospect of a Chinese military presence in Balochistan, especially near Gwadar Port, has long been perceived by Indian strategists as a possible extension of China's strategic reach in the Indo-Pacific.

Mir Yar Baloch commended India's Operation Sindoor in 2025, initiated in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a show of determination against Pakistan-backed terrorism. He suggested that India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism aligns with the Baloch struggle against what he described as Pakistan's "illegal occupation" of Balochistan.

Security concerns regarding CPEC have grown amid repeated attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure by Baloch militant groups, exposing vulnerabilities despite Pakistan's promises of protection. Analysts indicate that any visible deployment of Chinese troops could further internationalize the Balochistan issue, complicating China-India relations and introducing a new aspect to India-Pakistan tensions.

Mir Yar Baloch also called for increased international attention to human rights conditions in Balochistan and suggested the need for global intervention to prevent further militarization of the resource-rich area.

As of January 2, 2026, there has been no official response from the Indian government, China, or Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has traditionally refrained from commenting on internal political movements within Pakistan, even as it raises issues of sovereignty and terrorism on international platforms.

Observers suggest that while India remains vigilant to developments in Balochistan, particularly those involving China, it is likely to continue advancing its interests through diplomatic, strategic, and multilateral means rather than direct involvement.

The appeal from Mir Yar Baloch once again focuses attention on Balochistan, highlighting the intersection of local insurgencies, major infrastructure projects, and great-power competition in South Asia.