Daily Times

Donald Trump has sworn in as the 45th President on Friday and tweeted ‘the journey begins’, however it’s still not clear what this journey holds for Pakistan.

The new president throughout his campaign was heavily relying on slogans and catchphrases rather than giving any defined policies, only words Pakistan got from the new US president were that he knows how to solve ‘fantastic’ Pakistan problems. But how, he only knows.

However, in the current scenario, Pakistan should not only analyse Trump’s stand on Pakistan, but also his relationship with India, owing to the complex nature of relationship India and Pakistan share. While talking on this issue to a local newspaper, former ambassador to United States, Husain Haqqani, said, “Donald Trump is clear in his recognition of India as America’s preferred partner in South Asia.”

This might happen as the closeness between China and Pakistan, could give way to a convergence between US and India. Following the Uri incident, India has built upon a narrative to isolate Pakistan; this may well gain impetus under Trump presidency, who has promised to eradicate Islamic radicalism and about creating alliances to crush ISIS. Also, border disputes between India and China make US and India ‘natural allies’ for the region. This would not be alarming for Pakistan, but divided view on China in Washington might create hurdles that Pak-China relationship does not need. Also Trump needs India to keep Pakistan in check, being a nuclear power Pakistan is a threat to USA and its alliance with China posses more threat to the USA. The president would need India to avoid any conflict.

On the other hand, high optimism has also surfaced that Trump will help solving Indo-Pak disputes. Former president Pervez Musharraf said that south-Asian tensions can be subsided by Trump. “I hope he, Donald Trump, will focus keenly to bring peace and stability around the world and demonstrate deliberate leadership in resolving the conflicts in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent,” former president wrote in a Facebook post. “We must trust and work together to crush terrorism and eliminate extremism from a position of strength,” he added. However, all of this is speculation as there is no foreign policy record or engagement to go by for President Trump.

Also Pakistan could expect less intervention by Trump in the domestic policy and affairs of our country as he is more focused on making America great again. In general, the theme of Trump’s campaign has highlighted the idea of a ‘Fortress America’ where he wants to inject money in America rather than giving aids to the developing countries. This would make getting aid from America difficult as Trump does not have the patience to go with Pakistan’s approach of fighting terrorism. Moreover, he thinks that Pakistan owes US an apology for providing a safe sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden. Also, Trump’s presidency will be an enormous gift to the failing jihadist movement, that will now have a renewed rallying cry, said Ammar Rashid, an eminent political writer. If jihadi ideology has a source of sustenance, it is the image of the US as the evil anti-Muslim crusader. They will milk Trump’s win dry, he added.

Former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said that Pakistan definitely has uncertain times ahead, if not dangerous, but it should be kept in mind that only a person, the president, could not impact much in the presence of a strong institutional system in the United States. He underlined that he did not see a major change in America’s policy.

To conclude, it is not certain what Trump will bring for Pakistan, quoting Pakistani senator Mushahid Hussain, “Trump’s policies towards Pakistan will be based on promoting his country’s interests. It’s not about individuals, it’s about interests.” So Trump’s presidency journey might be a bumpy one for Pakistan, but it will not have any solid impact on US-Pak relations.