In what observers have described as a significant departure from previous US policy, Mr Obama emphasised this point both in the remarks he made at Beijing and in the joint statement issued after talks with President Hu Jintao. Supporting Pakistan and Afghanistan’s efforts to fight terrorism, maintain domestic stability and achieve sustainable development, the two sides expressed their willingness to ‘work together to promote peace, stability and development in the region’. Once again we can clearly see the difference which the Obama presidency has made to America’s foreign policy, for the Bush administration gave the impression that it viewed China as a threat and sought to contain it rather than seek its cooperation in reducing tensions in its neighbourhood. Mr Obama’s policy is thus a recognition of China’s status as a major economic and political power.

For Islamabad, these developments in America’s China policy are in sync with its traditionally warm relationship with Beijing. Even when the cold war was at its peak, and Pakistan was America’s most ‘allied ally’, Islamabad maintained friendly relations with China — sometimes to the annoyance of the Johnson and Kennedy administrations.

However, Pakistan’s policy stood vindicated when, during the Nixon era, Henry Kissinger flew from Nathiagali to Beijing to start a new chapter in relations between the two Pacific powers. For Pakistan, it is a matter of satisfaction that the US and China have developed a unanimity of views on the South Asian situation, complicated as it has become by India’s refusal to resume the composite dialogue in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack.

We must now wait for India’s reaction. China and India fought a war in 1962, and since then the unresolved border dispute has bedevilled their relations. Nevertheless, the two have a robust economic relationship, with the volume of trade going up. As such Beijing does have some leverage with New Delhi and can use economic incentives to seek India’s cooperation in defusing tension in South Asia.

For Washington, the goals are clear: it wants Pakistan and India to patch up their differences, so that Islamabad can focus on the war on terror. It remains to be seen whether New Delhi will react positively to the Sino-American move. Specifically, the question is whether India will show flexibility and reduce troop strength on its western border to give Pakistan a free hand in crushing the enemy within. This is in India’s interest too.