The acerbic allies?
The former foreign minister, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, termed US and Pakistan as the Odd Couple in his book, and for good reason. Their seventy years old relationship has every now and then resorted to highs and lows at different times and in the wake of varying global scenarios. Consistency, stability, and shared interests and objectives, supposedly the key elements in nurturing bilateral relations between two countries, have been the missing links in Pak-US relations. The camaraderie between the two countries has been need-driven rather than a pre-determined notion. Pak-US relationship, dominated by the US, has more often been blind-folded by persuasion of individual interests, and the significance of strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral relations has remained underestimated.
Though the United States has remained on the top of Pakistani policy makers list, it is difficult to ascertain if the case is the same vice versa.
Pakistan, till date, has paid a heavy price in terms of security, and economy for opting for the US block instead of USSR in the once bi-polar world. Staying true to its commitment in the relationship with the US, Pakistan at every critical juncture has extended its full support to the US, from being a member of SEATO and CENTO, to introducing and bringing together China and the US in late 70’s. The Afghan war against soviet invasion cannot be missed out here as Pakistan remained a frontline state to counter the Russian aggression in the region, having to accommodate approximately four million Afghan refugees afterwards who brought along the Kalashnikovs and drugs culture to the country on a grand scale, the grave consequences of which Pakistan is still facing three decades down the line.
Pakistan’s critical strategic role against the USSR was rewarded by the US through Pressler Amendment and the sanctions following it. September 11, 2001 once again opened the gates to Pakistan, as the US designated the latter as a frontline non-NATO ally in the War on Terror. The contribution and sacrifices made by Pakistan in terms of lives lost by the security forces in particular, and the people in general, and the economic suffering worth billions of dollars, have been in turn rewarded by the do more rhetoric of the US.
The US, contrary to Pakistan, has been more self-centric, and committed to its individual interests in the region, and the world at large. Not to say that there is anything theoretically wrong with it. National interest is, and should be of paramount importance to every country, however, the significance of building long-term and sustainable bilateral relations with countries sharing common interests must also not be ruled out.
Conceived by mistrust, acerbity and uncertainty by far are the traits that define Pak-US relations, however, the two sides have always expressed their resolve to work together towards more prospering, stable, consistent, and mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
A visit to the cold ones!
Months after President Donald Trump took charge of the White House; the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was the first senior official from the Trump administration to visit Pakistan. Tillerson’s visit to Islamabad on Tuesday (24 October 2017) followed an unprecedented stopover in Afghanistan, and lasted four hours where he met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other key civil and military officials, and reiterated that Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country.
President Trump had already accused Pakistan of harboring “agents of chaos” by providing them safe havens in its territory. Pakistan categorically denied these accusations, and reassured the US of its resolve to eliminating the menace of terrorism from its midst. In a statement, PM Abbasi expressed hope “to move ahead with the US, and build tremendous relationships”.
Upon his arrival, Rex Tillerson received a considerably cold welcome from Islamabad with a mid-career official from the foreign office receiving him at Rawalpindi airbase, along with the US ambassador to Pakistan. Unlike the past, no red carpet was rolled out to welcome the US official, which signifies Pakistan’s reaction to the US accusations, and unjustified demands to ‘do more’.
The distance between the two countries seems to be increasing drastically, however, amid Tillerson’s visit, it is encouraging to see the hope, and optimism on both sides to bridge the existing gaps.
Exploring new horizons
In an attempt to contain growing Chinese influence in the region, the US in addition to strengthening its ties with South Korea, Japan, and Australia, is overly committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with India. What President Clinton started during his tenure as US president, was continued by George W. Bush, and escalated during the Obama administration as India was designated as a major defense partner to facilitate defense technology sharing, joint military exercises, provision of high-tech fighter jets and helicopters, etc, while all of the stated had been denied to Pakistan despite its role in the global war on terror.
The growing Indo-US romance, where poses threat to Pakistan’s security, also pushes the latter to expand its options beyond the US, as this is critical to safeguard our national security and economic interests. Relying solely, thus far, on the singular military and economic superpower has not borne fruits as per the expectations of our policy makers.
In addition to strengthening strategic and economic partnership with China, Pakistan must explore its untapped potential options such as Russia, Iran, Turkey, Central Asian States, and the European countries through aggressive diplomatic outreach in order to gain maximum benefit.
With US favouritism tilting in favor of India, placing our eggs smartly in different baskets is the key to maintaining balance of power in this vulnerable region.
The road ahead….
The differences between Pakistan and the US must not mislead the two countries into abolishing decades old relationship simply by undermining the importance of maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship. The two sides must remain open in sharing their views and concerns, and attempt to reach meaningful ends, particularly in the war on terror, by sharing information and intelligence.
Terrorism, although on the front page, must not be the only chapter to describe Pak-US relations. Both the countries must explore other areas of mutual benefit, so that the monotonous ties may be driven into new directions.
Pakistan and the US working together is the only road ahead for the two countries, and a key, not just to their own benefit, but to establishing a prosperous South Asia.
