- Close association with China must not sour Pak-US ties
The nearly 70 year old Pak-US relations are on the rocks and there is a need on both sides to go the extra mile to save them. The report jointly prepared by 17 US intelligence organisations indicates that the ties are likely to continue to deteriorate throughout the year 2018. This is neither good for the US, nor Pakistan and Afghanistan. A continuous lack of understanding can prolong the Afghan tragedy with dire effects on Pakistan’s society and economy while it would pin down the US troops in the neighbouring country for an indefinite period. There are complaints on both sides which is by no means unusual between old friends. What has added a new dimension to differences is the strident attitude of the Trump administration. It would be counterproductive on the part of Pakistan to match the style.
The US concerns voiced in the joint report include Pakistan slipping out of US influence into China’s orbit, Pakistan’s expanding its nuclear programme which, it is maintained, threatens US interests. Also included in the list of complaints is Pakistan continuing to maintain ties with militants and restricting counter-terrorism cooperation with the US. Pakistan accuses Washington of looking at the region from the Indian perspective and trying to bully Islamabad.
One expects the US as a world leader to help reduce tensions in South Asia. As long as there is a lack of understanding between India and Pakistan, there is little hope of let up in the nuclear race or the asymmetrical warfare between the two countries. Instead of acting as an honest broker Trump has encouraged Delhi to expand its role in Afghanistan which previous US administrations had assiduously abstained from. A strategy that links Afghanistan with the US South Asia policy is likely to deepen regional tensions and should therefore be revised.
China is rightly considered an all-weather friend by the people of Pakistan while the CPEC is crucial for Pakistan’s economy. This should not however encourage the Cold War era mentality of total affiliation with one group of countries to oppose another. Pakistan and US can be good friends despite Pakistan’s close relations with China.