Daily Times

The announcement of Trump’s new policies in Afghanistan and South Asia has generated a new debate among opinion makers. Holding Pakistan responsible for the failures of his predecessors, Trump accused Pakistan of providing ‘safe havens’ to America’s enemies in Afghanistan. Perhaps this latest change is the result of the US partnering with India in Afghanistan.

To an extent, the hidden agenda behind keeping American troops in Afghanistan has already been revealed. America’s lack of interest in a political solution in Afghanistan can be seen easily. The Americans have demanded unconditional surrender from the Afghan Taliban and demanded that Pakistan wage war against them as well. Offers by Pakistan to bring the Afghan Taliban to the table for peace talks have been rejected.

A trend towards these policies could be seen before hand as well. Back when Pakistan was still looking for a political solution to it’s own terrorism problem, various talks were sabotaged by American drone strikes. One example of this is the drone strike which killed Mullah Mansour. Acts such as these also slowed down the regions stabilisation process and justified American presence in Afghanistan, which in turn serves other American interests. Turbulence in Afghanistan also means that Pakistan will be more likely to accept the current status quo in Kashmir, since it will have to use it’s resources securing it’s western border. In turn, this will solidify American partnership with India. A more solidified partnership with India, will also give the US licence to speak or act against Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Something which Trump has already shared his opinion on many times. This is the essence of Pax Indo-America.

Furthermore, rising Chinese and Russian influence in the region is something that America is not comfortable with. These changes pose a threat to many of the American’s interests in the region. American presence in Afghanistan can act as a counter to their rival’s goals in the region. It can certainly impede China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) of which the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part.

Back when Pakistan was still looking for a political solution to it’s own terrorism problem, various talks were sabotaged by American drone strikes. One example of this was the drone strike that killed Mullah Mansour

Following Trump’s announcement, Pakistan is set on building regional consensus against America. Pakistan has never focused on regional diplomacy as much as it is now ever before. It’s relations with China are already positive, so currently it has it’s diplomatic targets set on Russia. The country’s diplomatic strategy seems to be effective. Pakistan has also initiated it’s plan to fence the Durand line which will also impede American ambitions in the area.

Pakistan’s current position doesn’t allow it to entertain American demands anymore. It’s nuclear defence projects remain ongoing and it is well aware of American military cooperation with India. Pakistan has made all the calculations to ensure the viability of the its strategic as well as economic interests vis-à-vis China and Afghanistan.

The pre-Trump era has already provided Pakistan with comprehensive insight regarding US foreign policy which will also assist it regarding the strategic picture in South Asia.Keeping in view the strategic moves and diplomatic initiatives, one can be realistically optimistic that Pakistan has orchestrated its policies to manage the Pax Indo-Americana strategy in South Asia.

The writer is a staff member. He can reached at live.baber@gmail.com, and on Twitter @alibaberali

Published in Daily Times, September 27^th 2017.