Washington: Gwadar is a “Strategic Prize”; Islamabad Must Decide the Winner
Written by: Joe Tabet
For decades, especially since the post-September 11 period, the United States has regarded Gwadar port as a strategic point on the frontier near Iran.
A U.S. Department of Defense official stated that Gwadar could become a pivotal point in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, describing the region as “the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.”
America’s aspiration to control this vital point in southwestern Pakistan simultaneously represents a strategic goal for China. A U.S. State Department official describes Gwadar port as a “geopolitical and economic opportunity.”
Gwadar for China!
For China, Gwadar port is the cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), providing a shorter and safer route for energy imports from the Persian Gulf. Linking Gwadar to Xinjiang via highways, railways, and pipelines significantly reduces the distance for China’s oil and gas supply routes, enhancing Beijing’s energy security. Notably, over 60% of China’s oil imports come from the Gulf region.
Beyond energy, according to a U.S. State Department official, Gwadar functions as a potential commercial hub connecting China’s western provinces to global markets. Operated since 2013 under a 40-year lease by China Overseas Port Holding Company, Gwadar aligns with Beijing’s broader naval ambitions.
In this context, a Pentagon official stated that Washington does not believe China’s claims that Gwadar serves purely commercial purposes. Pentagon leaders insist on viewing it as militarily exploitable, providing China with logistical footing in the Indian Ocean. It currently serves as a diversified supply station used in China’s expansive influence strategy on the African continent.
The Importance of Gwadar to the United States
For the U.S., Gwadar port’s strategic value lies in its potential commercial and military influence on the power balance in the Indo-Pacific region.
A Defense Department official mentioned that the Pentagon recognized Gwadar’s significance early in 1954, seeing it as an ideal location for a deep-water commercial and military port.
Washington’s interest intensified due to China’s growing presence. The Pentagon has intelligence indicating Beijing’s use of Gwadar to project naval power, potentially challenging U.S. maritime dominance in the region.
A U.S. State Department official expressed regret that Washington lacks direct control over Gwadar but emphasized continued American strategic interest, seeking to establish a foothold there.
The official recalled U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome’s 2023 visit to Gwadar in Balochistan province, during which he openly stated that the U.S. could indirectly benefit from Gwadar by supporting Pakistani stability and economic development and countering Chinese influence through soft power and economic incentives.
The State Department official further noted that U.S. support for India’s development of the nearby Chabahar Port in Iran is a strategic counterbalance, enabling the U.S. and India to monitor Chinese activities in Gwadar globally.
Converging and Diverging Interests
China and the U.S. view Gwadar port as a gateway for economic and strategic influence. According to the U.S. State Department official, China’s objectives differ fundamentally from America’s. China aims to integrate Gwadar into its global commercial and security structure, while the U.S. seeks to prevent Gwadar from becoming a Chinese stronghold, threatening regional allies, particularly India, or disrupting critical maritime lanes.
Therefore, according to the State Department official, developing the Pakistani port through American companies is essential in broader competition with China.
The official acknowledged Gwadar’s current modest potential due to ongoing Baloch insurgency, weak infrastructure, and Pakistan’s economic problems, all hindering the port’s growth as a thriving hub.
A Defense Department official concluded that Gwadar lies at the heart of competition between Washington and Beijing. The Trump administration believes the U.S. alone has the capability to transform Gwadar into a global commercial and economic hub.
The Defense Department official emphasized that Gwadar has become a “strategic prize,” and Islamabad must decide to whom it will award it.
About the author
Joe Tabet is a Lebanese-American specialized political analyst and journalist based in Washington, D.C., with over two decades of expertise covering U.S. National Security. He was a senior Pentagon and National Security correspondent who covered major domestic and international events relating to U.S. general elections and meetings of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and Syria against terrorist groups. He founded The Tank Report, where he lobbies for corporations and advocacy groups and provides consultancy and analysis services on national security, U.S. policies, and military affairs.
