Pakistan's Gwadar was purchased from Oman in 1958

Gwadar, a small hammer-shaped fishing village on the coast of Balochistan in Pakistan, has undergone a remarkable transformation. From a sleepy town to one of the most strategically significant locations in the world today, Gwadar's story is shaped by its geographical position, historical evolution, and its current status as the centerpiece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). But its journey, marked by geopolitical decisions, missed opportunities, and shifting powers, has been nothing short of fascinating.

A Storied History: From Oman to Pakistan

Gwadar's history is deeply rooted in its geographical significance. The city’s strategic location on the Makran coast has made it a coveted prize for empires and nations throughout history.

Omani Rule and the Early Years

1783: Gwadar came into the possession of the Sultan of Oman, who used it as a base for raiding and operations across the Arabian Sea.
Khan of Kalat's Gift: The Khan of Kalat, a local ruler in present-day Balochistan, gifted Gwadar to the Sultan of Oman in 1783 in exchange for support, but the Sultan failed to return the area as agreed upon.
British Involvement: From 1763, Gwadar was under British suzerainty, with the Khan of Kalat frequently negotiating for its return. The British, recognizing its strategic value, facilitated the Sultan's hold over the region.

Transition to Pakistani Control

1958: After a series of negotiations, Gwadar was sold by the Sultan of Oman to Pakistan for three million pounds, marking the beginning of Gwadar's integration into Pakistan’s political and economic structure.

The Gwadar India Rejected: A Diplomatic Blunder?

While Gwadar’s modern significance has drawn global attention, its early history involves a critical moment where it could have changed hands. In the mid-1950s, the Sultan of Oman offered Gwadar to India. However, India's Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected the offer. This decision is now often seen as one of India’s great diplomatic blunders, especially in light of the port city’s subsequent transformation into a linchpin of geopolitical rivalry.

The Omani Offer: In 1956, the Sultan of Oman offered Gwadar to India, a move that was likely motivated by Oman’s need for support and India's burgeoning post-independence relationship with Oman.
Nehru’s Rejection: Despite the strategic significance of Gwadar, Nehru turned down the offer, largely due to logistical concerns. Gwadar was a coastal enclave that could not be easily defended or integrated into India’s existing territory.

Why Did Nehru Reject the Offer?

Defensibility Concerns: India was concerned about the defensibility of Gwadar. Situated on a promontory with a narrow isthmus connecting it to the mainland, it would have been difficult to defend against Pakistani attacks.
Logistical Challenges: With no land access to Gwadar, India would have been dependent on sea or air supply routes, which would have been cumbersome and vulnerable.
Diplomatic Strategy: At the time, Nehru was still hopeful about improving relations with Pakistan, making the acquisition of Gwadar a potentially unnecessary provocation.

While many view this decision with hindsight as a strategic misstep, Nehru's rejection was likely shaped by the political and military realities of the time.

The Emergence of Gwadar as a Global Strategic Asset

Though India missed its opportunity, Gwadar’s true transformation began after Pakistan's acquisition of the port city. Its importance skyrocketed with the involvement of China and the development of CPEC, which solidified Gwadar’s status as a critical hub for trade and energy.

The Role of China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

The Strategic Value of Gwadar: China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is perhaps the most significant factor driving Gwadar’s rise. CPEC, a major part of BRI, aims to connect Gwadar to China’s Xinjiang region, creating a trade corridor that bypasses the Strait of Malacca.
Gwadar as the “Crown Jewel”: CPEC’s centerpiece is Gwadar, which is designed to serve as a deep-sea port for China to import and export goods and energy, particularly oil, without depending on the vulnerable Strait of Malacca.
China’s Investment: With Chinese investments in infrastructure, Gwadar has transformed from a modest port into a thriving commercial hub. Its significance extends far beyond Pakistan, as it is now an integral part of China’s global economic strategy.

Geopolitical Repercussions and Rivalries

The development of Gwadar has sparked regional and global competition. India, concerned by China’s growing influence in the region, has invested in countermeasures.

Chabahar Port: India developed the Chabahar port in Iran to counterbalance China’s presence in Gwadar. Located just 200 kilometers to the west of Gwadar, Chabahar provides India with an alternate route for trade with Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.
Balochistan and Local Protests: Despite the economic promises, the local Baloch population views the development of Gwadar as an exploitative venture by Pakistan and China. Protests have erupted, with many Baloch insurgents opposing the CPEC, seeing it as an attempt to extract resources without benefiting the local communities.

The Economic Evolution of Gwadar: Challenges and Opportunities

While Gwadar’s port has been touted as an economic game-changer, its benefits have not been fully realized. Despite the promise of new industries, trade, and infrastructure development, the city’s transformation has been slower than anticipated.

Balochistan's Underdevelopment: Gwadar’s growth has not significantly improved the overall economic situation in Balochistan, one of Pakistan’s poorest provinces. The promise of job creation and local economic growth has not yet been fully fulfilled, leading to local dissatisfaction and insurgent movements.
The Potential of Gwadar: As Pakistan continues to build out the infrastructure around Gwadar, there is potential for the city to become a key player in regional trade, energy transit, and logistics. Its location and strategic position ensure that it remains at the center of global discussions on trade routes and energy security.

What if India Had Accepted the Gwadar Offer?

The history of Gwadar is deeply intertwined with the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia and beyond. What began as a small fishing village has evolved into one of the most strategically important locations in the world, thanks to its access to the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the key trade routes that pass through the region.

Looking back, one of the most intriguing "what-ifs" of South Asian geopolitics is: What if India had accepted the offer to purchase Gwadar in 1956?

A Diplomatic Chip: Had India secured Gwadar, it could have used the port as a diplomatic bargaining chip in negotiations, particularly regarding Kashmir.
Defensibility Challenges: Despite its strategic location, Gwadar’s geography, including its narrow isthmus, would have made it difficult to defend in the event of a military confrontation with Pakistan.
A Temporary Advantage: Some experts argue that Gwadar could have been a temporary strategic asset for India, providing an important position on the Arabian Sea but also posing logistical and military challenges.

The Road Ahead: Gwadar’s Future

Today, Gwadar stands as a symbol of both opportunity and rivalry. Its development under CPEC continues, with China playing a crucial role in its transformation into a global economic hub. However, its growth has also attracted opposition, both locally in Balochistan and internationally from regional powers like India.

A Geopolitical Hotspot: With its location at the crossroads of critical trade routes and the shifting dynamics of global power, Gwadar will likely remain a focal point of geopolitical maneuvering for years to come.
The Unanswered Question: While India’s rejection of Gwadar in 1956 seems like a missed opportunity in hindsight, the full implications of accepting the port would have unfolded differently, depending on political, economic, and security factors at the time.

As Gwadar’s story continues to evolve, it remains one of the most captivating and consequential geopolitical tales of the modern era—an emblem of the shifting tides of power in South Asia and beyond.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies