By,AB Shahani.
It is said that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This is what exactly happening with the developing and regional countries during Sino-US confrontation. The world politics is never static and it keeps on changing thus requires countries to prepare their foreign policy wisely . The new dynamics of international politics have ushered the new era of Sino-US competition which is proving to be quite challenging for the countries to perform balancing act.
The ongoing competition between two powers has left countries with limited policy space to remain neutral given their economic or strategic partnership with either side. Pakistan, being no exception has to revisit its policy regarding both the countries. Regional engagement has remained the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and the relation with China is overriding priority of Pakistan. The ties between two countries have been diversified over the years through economic, cultural and security engagements.
China Pakistan Economic corridor is immensely important for both the countries and is key to the success of China’s mega project BRI. CPEC serves as a linchpin to keep the two countries jelled with each other. But Pakistan cannot afford to impair its relation with the US during Washington’s confrontation with China as the former remains to be Pakistan’s biggest export destination and has historic ties with Pakistan.
After the US and Nato troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan feels that its importance has plunged for Washington. Pakistan always regretted that Washington sought assistance when it intended to operate in Afghanistan soil and it turned its back on Pakistan when its objectives were achieved. But it is undeniable fact that Pakistan cannot afford to show its back to Washington for its oversized reliance on the latter for seeking economic relief packages through Bretton woods institutions the IMF and the World Bank . Washington wields its immense influence on the monetary institutions and Pakistan needs bailout packages to cope with ongoing economic crisis.
Washington’s growing economic and strategic partnership with India especially after its withdrawal from Afghanistan is a new challenge for Pakistan. Moreover, China’s unfettered influence in the region through its BRI project and economic deals with regional powers has prompted Washington to seek powerful allies in the region. The United States exploits mired relations between New Delhi and Beijing and sees former which can check Chinese influence in the region and Indian Ocean.
It has increased India’s importance for Washington. India will not hesitate to weild growing partnership with United States against Pakistan. Its precedents can be seen through India’s Aug 5 unilateral action to remove autonomous status of Kashmir to which United States has turned blind eye to seek India’s assistance in its competition with China. Of course Pakistan needs both the powers for its key diplomatic goals such as Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, economic security and tackling the new surge in terrorism.
Keeping in mind said objectives , Pakistan’s has to rekindle its relation with Washington without impairing its ties with China. This is an arduous challenge but doable for those who contour foreign policy of Pakistan. To cap the whole discussion, Pakistan’s foreign policy has become test case whether it can do balancing act in this competition.
Writer can be reached at allahbux223@gmail.com
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