Candid Corner
- Time to build an equitable and sustainable relationship
As Prime Minister Imran Khan embarks on his maiden visit to the US, one’s mind races through a number of phases that the bilateral relationship has undergone, and a few more that it may still encounter.
There may be some similarities between this visit and the previous ones undertaken by other Pakistani heads of government and state, but it would be the differences which are going to cast a spell– in the affirmative or in the negative.
Prime Minister Khan is a strong personality. His persona constitutes a major component of his manner of governance. Being a non-traditional politician, his clarity and candidness are other features which distinguish him from most of his predecessors. A combination of this may be on display during his interactions with his counterpart, President Donald Trump, who himself has an overtly personalised mindset stamped over his mode of governance.
it’s a visit where the Prime Minister’s skills are going to be tested in convincing his hosts that it is a new Pakistan they are dealing with
A few steps taken by either party preceding the Prime Minister’s visit give an impression that there is a latent desire on both sides to tide over a difficult past and mend fences for the future. Pakistan joining China, the US and Russia as the fourth country in a meeting in Beijing on July 10-11 is a key development in accepting its centrality in forging peace in Afghanistan. The important role that Pakistan can and is expected to play was acknowledged in the statement issued at the conclusion of the two-day talks.
The designation of the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), an assemblage engaged in stirring acts of insurgency in a restive province, as a terrorist entity by the US is a welcome gesture in acknowledgement of Pakistan’s oft-expressed fears regarding foreign hands from across the border provoking violence and divisiveness in the country.
The decisive role that Pakistan played in brokering the talks between the US and the Taliban has contributed much to establishing a level of trust among the two countries. The recent, though much-delayed arrest of Hafiz Saeed, may contribute to further cementing this nascent trust which will need incremental infusions to sustain and gain in strength over a period of time. Coming a short while before the Prime Minister setting off on the US trip, this arrest has to be the first of a series of similar actions which should be taken leading to effective convictions of the people involved. Keeping them in lock-ups for certain periods of time and then letting them slip out for lack of evidence is a strategy that has run out of steam. It is his conviction and those of others like him alleged to have masterminded acts of terror that the US and the rest of the western world are looking for.
The narrative in the US remains predominantly negative about a country that is accused of having provided sanctuaries to terrorists and blunted its efforts for winning a war that has now stretched to 18 years. This, inter alia, is cited as the pivotal reason why the US didn’t succeed, and is engaged in negotiations for peace with the very same adversaries it has been fighting.
Understandably, there is also a realisation in Pakistan that it cannot survive in the international arena carrying the tag of being a supporter of terrorists. It needs to cast it off and some tangible indications are visible that it may be in transition to help its developmental agenda gain traction in the world. But, instead of such actions remaining a flash in the pan, these must reflect a sustainable change of mindset and approach. Incisive queries and questions about this would be a daunting challenge to face during the US visit.
After President Trump’s tweet accusing Pakistan of lies and deceit, a thaw has set in gradually which also reflects the pivotal role that Pakistan has played in breaking the logjam and helping the US and the Taliban commence peace talks. After seven rounds held in Doha, some sticking points still remain before a final agreement could be reached to transform the prospect of peace in Afghanistan into reality. In order to make that happen, Pakistan may be asked to go beyond what it has done so far including the responsibility of providing credible assurance that, after the agreement is reached, Taliban will not breach it and take no step that would be to the detriment of other stakeholders in the country.
That would be a gigantic responsibility putting immense burden on Pakistan’s shoulders. It must be deliberated sagaciously keeping in mind Pakistan’s strengths and the challenges that it may encounter in the context of the emerging paradigm if the ongoing talks actually lead to the signing of a deal. That, by itself, is not a certainty yet though the Americans would have liked it done yesterday than today.
Let me get back to the prevalent narrative in the US about Pakistan’s insincerity and duplicity in tackling the Afghanistan crisis. Pakistan has had its own strategic limitations, most importantly the reality of insurgency being encouraged from across the border with the active support of its neighbour in the East. In an eventual settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan wants to cull that prospect, thus leading to a secure border in the West. By a general appraisal, that would happen if there is a friendly government in Afghanistan which is willing to address the genuine concerns that it has had in the past. This is more so as the focus in the country, in the last few months, has shifted to internal security with a limited clampdown on forces which are perceived to be crossing the red line in hurling unfounded accusations at the state institutions. This is being interpreted in the West as an infringement of human rights and consequent denial of right to information. These are serious issues that could come under discussion which should be tackled through a credible rationale to fully support the actions which have been taken.
While all these divergences may cause a level of disharmony among the two leaders, what will matter in the end is the rapport they are able to build within a short span of time they will be together. While strong personalities may tend to react in abrasive ways, the two striking a compatible chord could provide a platform on which the edifice of a cooperative future relationship could be built.
But, that may take time. The immediate challenge would be to use this contact to generate trust for moving forward. It must also be ensured that there are no commitments made which would stretch Pakistan beyond what it could handle while staying within its strategic compass. And it must remain steadfast in this resolve even in the face of unremitting pressure exerted – which, by all indications, is going to be visible in abundance.
Ever more importantly, it’s a visit where the Prime Minister’s skills are going to be tested in convincing his hosts that it is a new Pakistan they are dealing with. That would be the starting point for moving away from a troubled past and laying the foundations of a more equitable, transparent and sustainable relationship among the erstwhile partners.