Warming up of relations?
The visit to Pakistan by US State Secretary John Kerry is not just important as his first visit to the country, or by any senior official of the US government after the PML-N government was sworn in June, it is important because his visit may thaw off the ice that has taken over the discussions between the two countries on a number of issues. As both countries need each other for various reasons, leaving the discussion process aside had cast a negative impact on their relation, which it is about time to restart.
John Kerry’s visit is the first ministerial level visit by any US official since the elections this May in Pakistan. This should pave the way for further talks on security issues, drone attacks, better trade facilities, US help in power production, fulfilment of military needs, and others as has been stated by Sartaj Aziz, PM Nawaz Sharif’s advisor on foreign affairs. While the visit was not announced on account of security threats, John Kerry met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. As both countries have interests intertwined, they need to sort out the kinks and make the relation as smooth as possible. Pakistan can benefit from enhanced access to US markets, lower tariffs and lifting off of protectionist policies. It also needs help in managing its power crisis, terrorism, military and civil aid, which the US is in a perfect shape to offer. However, the US, being the superpower of the world in almost every sense of the word, would not oblige Islamabad unless it gets its way through certain issues. That there are militant hideouts in the lawless areas of Pakistan’s western border, against whom the US uses drone strikes, is not a secret. What however needs to be done is a military action against the terrorists thus removing the justification, howsoever flawed, for the US to order drone strikes. The end of safe havens and cross-border militancy would most certainly help stabilise the relation between Islamabad and Washington and Kabul. A strong and secure Pakistan would also be in a better position to help bring peace to its war-torn western neighbour, and to the region.
It is in the interest of both sides to resolve differences at the earliest. Whether this visit has laid the foundation of a long term relation, based on mutual respect and a give and take policy, remains yet to be seen, but it won’t be foolish to hope that both the US and Pakistan realise how much they can achieve by working together.
