There are several determinants of the foreign policy of a modern state and every state wants to pursue its own short and long term foreign policy goals and objectives in its own way. The 9/11 attacks pushed all the countries including the United States, not only to revisit their foreign policy choices but also to review its allies in different parts of the world. Many states are not only looking for new foreign policy choices but have already learnt a lesson from the bitter experiences from the past.
According to the South Asian regional perspective, the United States is also revisiting and revising its foreign policy choices. One of the main agendas of the US foreign policy is to form a strong coalition in different parts of the world to fight radicalism, extremism, and to curb terrorism. One of the operational strategies is primitive strikes against leading militant groups and individuals all over the world including South Asian region. After 9/11, Washington declared Pakistan MNNA (Major Non-Nato Ally). Washington has always appreciated Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism and supported Pakistan through coalition support program and other means.
On the other hand, Islamabad has made it very clear to the whole world that it has a firm stand against all the militant groups on its soil without any discrimination. Although, the Washington — Islamabad ties have been tumultuous in the previous era. Nonetheless, Pakistan will remain Washington’s strategic ally because of its geo-strategic importance and for having common policy goals, objectives, and strategies against fundamentalism, terrorism, radicalism and extremism.
Washington has already taken many measures for a strong democratic, modern, and prosperous Pakistan through social, political, and economic development through many projects including U.S Aid’s projects for the uplift of the common man in Pakistan.
No doubt modern democratic, liberal states are significant in the global alliance against fundamentalism and terrorism. On the other hand, in South Asia, Regionalism is a way forward for both Pakistan and India as well to stand firm with the global alliance against the war on terror. The Government of Pakistan has made it very clear that it will not let its soil to be used against any country.
Pakistan’s indiscriminate action against all militant groups will help Islamabad in improving its ties not only with neighbouring countries but with the Islamic Republic of Iran and will also help in improving its relations with Peoples Republic of China also who is facing tough resistance by the separatist group in Sink yang, a highly populated Muslim province.
Islamabad has already learnt lessons from the past. Holding ‘Kabul’ means not only confronting India but also Iran, who was also a strong supporter of Northern Alliance. Later after 9/11, both pro-Indian and pro-Iranian regime was formed in Kabul with the help of American air strikes which further paved the way for further Indian involvement in Afghanistan against Pakistan’s interest.
Now, this is also a fact that without Pakistan’s support there cannot be peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan is playing a positive, constructive, and effective role in stabilizing Afghanistan. We share a 2,252 kilometre long border with Afghanistan. We have very strong cultural and historical ties with Afghanistan. Pakistan remained neutral in the last Afghan elections and it established its trust within all Afghan factions. President Ashraf Ghani visited Pakistan and both governments have complete consensus on all the issues including curbing terrorism and extremism.
India should help, guide and assist Pakistan in its efforts against terrorism and extremism. The blame game will not serve the national interests of India
On a national level, the government of Pakistan has already taken practical steps to eliminate extremism and terrorism and one of the strategies on the national level is to review curriculum, institutional reforms, and to check the flow of money inside the country, although, the government is facing some resistance as well. But it shows a level of seriousness and commitment and multi-dimensional strategy to curb fundamentalism, extremism, terrorism, and hatred.
Furthermore, Washington always supported bilateral talks between Pakistan and India to normalize their relations and Washington has made it very clear on several occasions that “Kashmir” is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan and only through peaceful dialogue both nations can resolve this issue.
India and Pakistan should find out their interests in the South Asian regional perspective, especially in curbing extremism. Both nations should find out peaceful solutions of all the outstanding issues including the Kashmir issue. India should seriously explore its foreign policy choices. At the same time, Pakistan should also review its foreign policy choices through a regional perspective.
Regionalism is the way forward for both India and Pakistan. We should not compromise our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran at any cost and need to find a balance with our neighbouring countries. Iran was the first Islamic country to recognize Pakistan right after its inception.
It’s time for India to resume dialogue with Pakistan as this is vital for the regional stability and for international peace. Instead of assuming a possible international role to play in ‘Security Council’ as a permanent member, India should first seriously review its foreign policy choices.
One of the best possible choices is to work closely with Pakistan against terrorism and extremism. Pakistan is not only in the best interest of the world but is in the best interest of India as well. India must realise that it cannot change its neighbour. Recent Indian escalation on the eastern border with Pakistan will harm the interests of both countries and international community against terrorism and extremism.
Keeping in view its expecting global role as a world biggest democracy India should help, guide and assist Pakistan in its efforts against terrorism and extremism. The blame game will not serve the national interests of India. Through SAARC India and Pakistan can improve their ties and promote regional co-operation in different fields. Only India and Pakistan can change the future discourse of south Asia. No doubt future lies in Asia.
The writer is an assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at FC College University
Published in Daily Times, May 21st 2018.