A nation’s foreign policy is inherently linked to its internal dynamics. Therefore, a country’s foreign policy must evolve in response to the rapidly changing international environment. Pakistan is no exception, and to navigate the complexities of the modern international order effectively, it must first craft a comprehensive foreign policy strategy.
If policy continuation is anything to go by, Pakistan’s foreign policy necessitates a long-term vision instead of merely targeting short-term goals. Be it a love-hate relationship with the Taliban, quite an ambivalent working relationship with the U.S., an indecisive approach towards Iran and Russia, or a trade-or-no-trade dilemma with New Delhi, what we cannot afford under the garb of foreign policy, a makeshift yet rapidly-changing strategy based on impulsive, knee-jerk reactions to regional and global developments.
Historically speaking, one significant distinction between Pakistan and India’s democratic trajectories lies in the formative years of both nations. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founding father, did not have the same opportunity to shape the country’s political landscape as Jawaharlal Nehru did in India. This leadership vacuum led to constitutional crises from the outset, impeding democratic development and creating long-term governance challenges.
Pakistan currently finds itself at a critical juncture in an era marked by rapidly shifting global power dynamics. The intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, evolving political landscapes in the Middle East, and the strategic recalibrations of global powers have created a complex environment for Pakistan’s foreign policy. Globally, the United States, once an unparalleled superpower, began facing mounting challenges after 1992, particularly from terrorism. In its global war on terror, the U.S. spent over $3 trillion. Simultaneously, China emerged as the world’s second-largest economy. The U.S.-China rivalry has now evolved into a full-blown confrontation, characterized by competition in three critical domains: military and strategic affairs, economic and trade relations, and emerging technologies. Potential flashpoints for conflict include Taiwan and the South China Sea, both of which hold significant strategic importance.
The confrontation between the United States and China is the defining feature of contemporary international politics. As Washington pivots its strategic focus toward countering China, it has bolstered New Delhi’s strategic capabilities, positioning India as a counterweight to Beijing. Unfortunately for Pakistan, this has translated into strategic disadvantages. The United States seeks to protect India’s strategic interests, ensuring that New Delhi remains focused on its competition with China rather than becoming entangled with Pakistan. Consequently, while India enjoys a free pass to expand its strategic arsenal, Pakistan continues to face calls for restraint.
Pakistan’s relationship with the United States requires a nuanced approach. While divergences exist, particularly concerning U.S. support for India, there remain areas of mutual interest, including counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic development. Pakistan must pursue a balanced relationship, engaging with the United States, where interests converge while maintaining its strategic partnership with China.
China remains Pakistan’s most significant strategic partner, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the linchpin of bilateral cooperation. Diplomatic finesse is required to maintain this balance, ensuring that Pakistan derives economic and strategic benefits without becoming entangled in great power competition.
In Western Europe, the resurgence of armed conflict after World War II was once considered unimaginable. However, recent developments can be traced back to U.S. policies following the Cold War. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, when Russia was economically vulnerable, the U.S. led efforts for German reunification while providing verbal assurances that NATO would not expand eastward. Russia’s acceptance of this verbal commitment proved a strategic miscalculation as NATO continued its expansion toward Russian borders.
The writer is Pakistan’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Geneva.
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