Daily Times

Sooner or later a breakthrough is expected in the Pak-US ambiguous relationship which has reached it lowest point during the Trump administration. There is much to talk about the Foreign Minister’s recent visit to the United States. Surely, certain impediments have been cleared with the second high level officials encounter within a month’s time.

The Universal fact of ‘No one can foretell the details in a day, we can only hope”, is relevant here. Pompeo’s short trip to Pakistan reciprocated Shah Mehmood’s keenness to discuss obstructing issues during his recent UNGA annual session participation and the diverse engagements in the US.

Before Tuesday’s meeting with the US National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State, Qureshi raised a few important issues in his UNGA address including the Indian held Kashmir, Indian tyrannies in South Asia, indifference of international community to end the miseries of Muslims across the globe and contemporary regional and international trends. Consequently, it was expected that Pakistan would secure the US’ pledge to play a positive role in South Asian affairs to a considerable level.

Moreover, India declining Pakistan’s sincere offer to end all bilateral disputes via negotiations has given Pakistan a moral and diplomatic advantage over India. Furthermore, India’s exasperating intimidation tactics, clandestine developments in Indian ocean and the region, and Sushma’s discourteous behaviour in the US whilst trying to avoid communicating with a Pakistani representative, signals the old-style Indian narrow-mindedness. Notwithstanding, being a close strategic ally of India, the US as a responsible superpower should not turn a blind eye to such matters.

A diverse range of issues were brought to light, during Qureshi’s meeting with the US National Security Advisor John Bolton, which was followed by a 40 minutes one on one meeting with Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State. According to media reports, both sides discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the ongoing peace process, China’s role in South Asia and ways to bridge rifts in bilateral relations. The US was curious about the increasing role of China in Pakistan while Pakistan informed US officials about the increasing role of India in Afghanistan which is dangerous for Pakistan and the regional peace. Terrorist hideouts and involvement of the Taliban in Afghanistan peace process were also discussed.

There has been no joint press briefing to confirm the rapprochement of details including the revival of aid but these positive gestures exhibited by both the sides is a good omen. The US has realised the need to involve Pakistan to resolve the Afghan dispute.

A diverse range of issues were brought to light, during Qureshi’s meeting with the US National Security Advisor John Bolton, which was followed by a 40 minutes one on one meeting with Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State

In addition to this, it has recognized that Pakistan is the key player to convince the Taliban leaders to come to the negotiation table. The apprehension that Pakistan must not be overlooked amidst the increasing involvement of China in Pakistan’s strategic circles is of vital concern to the US. Conversely, Pakistan cannot repudiate the US’ importance in securing interests in South Asia in the longer run; based on its in-depth and year’s long penetration in this region’s policy spheres.

The strategic importance of Pakistan is also very crucial for the US to achieve its targets in this region especially after being involved in Afghanistan. It looks as if finally the US has realized that there is no hope for peace within Afghanistan and a peaceful withdrawal from there. The counter narrative of Trump administration did not work in pressurising Pakistan. It is high time for both sides to culminate all slip-ups.

The proposed reciprocal release of Shakil Afridi and Dr. Afia is a very good initiative to revive mutual confidence. Even though, things are not as simple as they may seem to be, the positive will can do a lot. One very important thing which Pakistan should not compromise on its standing vis-à-vis its arch-rival i.e., India. A beam of hope has emerged finally in discussion with the US officials that the Afghanistan oriented interests of India must be looked into, in order to move forward. Nonetheless, one should not ignore that India is a far bigger country than Pakistan. Its Diaspora, soft power image and cultural diversity in line with economic capacity have always been an attraction, which makes it a priority over Pakistan.

The only option for Pakistan is to rely on its own muscle to the changing geostrategic and geo-economic realities in order to counterbalance the Indian monopoly in the volatile region of South Asia.

In a nutshell, it is better hoped that he ongoing revival of bilateral relations with the super power must be charted with comprehensive tactics both on diplomatic and economic front. Though, this bilateral relationship has always been unpredictable, but the kind of affirmations and efforts that Pakistan is making in recent engagements with the US are predicted to be productive sooner or later. International politics is all about gaining the maximum possible out of the minimum, but it should not be at the cost of national interests and prestige.

The writer is Research Associate at Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad. He can be reached at fateh@thesvi.org

Published in Daily Times, October 12^th 2018.