The recent visit of COAS to the USA has been widely recognised as an important measure towards restoring and solidifying trust and collaboration between the two countries. The success of this visit hinges on substantial agreements forged and the amenability of both sides to address longstanding issues of collective concern, which may carry different connotations for both countries. The stated objectives of the visit encompass strengthening military ties, intelligence sharing on regional security risks, and bilateral defence cooperation. Through shared objectives and collaborative endeavours, Pakistan can pave the way for a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful future, both domestically and globally. Following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the USA has opted to prioritise its strategic interests and concerns in South Asia as a whole rather than maintaining a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Conversely, to wield influence in Afghanistan, Pakistan must uphold its longstanding ties with the Pentagon, fostering a mutually beneficial and durable relationship.
The strategic partnership between Pakistan and the USA has been characterised by an intricate interplay between collaboration and discord. Pakistan is considered by the USA as a crucial element in tackling security challenges, particularly those confronted in Afghanistan. In contrast, Pakistan places importance on its partnership with the United States as a way to strengthen its defensive strategy and foster economic growth. However, one major area of contention has been the issue of counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan maintains that it has made unparalleled sacrifices and contributions to the war efforts against terrorism. Another sticking point has been Pakistan’s relations with China as the USA views China’s growing influence in Pakistan with concern, particularly in terms of its economic projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite being confronted with these difficulties, Pakistan and the USA remain undeterred in their combined efforts aimed at resolving the Afghanistan crisis, combating terrorism effectively, ensuring stability across the region, as well as fostering economic cooperation-all while expressing their resolute dedication to maintaining productive and mutually beneficial diplomatic ties.
Through shared objectives, Pakistan can pave the way for a more stable, prosperous and peaceful future
To help Pakistan deal with the terrorist threat from within, and to continue collaborating on contending with global jihadi outfits, the USA and Pakistan need to maintain the security cooperation links forged between the two countries immediately after 9/11. Pakistan has experienced growing friction with the Taliban regime not only due to their ability to curb cross-border movement by the TTP but also over the fencing of the contested Durand line, a roughly 2,500-kilometer arbitrary border drawn by colonial administrators to separate Afghanistan from the British Indian Raj. There were at least three million Afghans living in Pakistan who had fled violence in their own country over the past several decades, including at least 600,000 Afghans who came into the country since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The Taliban are thus currently struggling to improve the water infrastructure, and any unilateral upstream work on the Kabul River, which flows from Afghanistan into the Indus in Pakistan, has the potential to further elevate tensions.
The USA has the ability to play a substantial role in averting further weakening, leading towards potentially harnessing the geo-economic capabilities of Pakistan in the future. In its capacity as the largest contributor to the IMF, the executive branch of the USA can exert significant leverage on the IMF to offer Pakistan more loans, especially once there is a new government in place. The current IMF standby agreement was put in place after Pakistan managed to convince China to roll over due debts, thus IMF funding is not being used to service CPEC loans. However, when the IMF renegotiates a longer-term loan program with the new government of Pakistan after the current standby agreement ends, the USA could impress on the IMF to soften its lending conditionality for Pakistan.
When approaching matters relating to American and Pakistani foreign policy and economy, Pakistan should be well-informed about the evolving social-political dynamics within its territory and those in neighbouring regions. Washington needs to avert a maximalist view of Chinese assistance to Pakistan and instead aim to work alongside China to engage with Pakistan, especially in areas where the USA has a competitive edge. The USA can leverage significant financing via entities like the International Finance Corporation and the Development Finance Corporation to help de-risk and encourage greater private sector investments.
Despite the longstanding relevance, the bilateral relationship has experienced significant stress, and the level of suspicion and acrimony between the two countries has not yet subsided. It is, however, in the mutual interests of both countries to learn from their past mistakes and not let bitter experiences hinder the prospects for beneficial cooperation. There may be numerous issues American and Pakistani policymakers will not agree on, but these differences can be side-stepped to create a stable and beneficial relationship. Pakistan’s relevance with the USA is as important today as was a few decades ago. However, the US and Pakistan will remain strange bedfellows in the foreseeable future.
The writer is a retired Pakistan Army Officer.