Dawn Newspaper: US-Pakistan Ties Revival Amidst Delicate Balance
The revival of US-Pakistan ties is a complex and delicate process, with Pakistan needing to balance its relations with China and the US amidst rising tensions between the two global powers. Pakistan's diplomatic efforts have yielded positive results, but the country must be cautious not to become a tool in America's regional conflicts at the cost of relations with strategic allies.
Pakistan's relations with the US have seen a significant turnaround under President Joe Biden's administration, with increased contacts at the level of intelligence agencies and politicians, following a period of decline after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The US had imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan, and there were few high-level exchanges between the two sides. However, Pakistan's arrest and extradition of a mastermind behind the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, which killed 13 American servicemen, helped revive US-Pakistan ties. The US praised Pakistan's efforts to counter terrorism and maintain regional stability, and the two countries have since seen increased contacts at the level of intelligence agencies and politicians.
Pakistan's foreign minister's visit to Washington and his meeting with the US secretary of state is seen as a sign of improving relations between the two countries. The meeting comes after President Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief, the first time a US president has done so with a Pakistani military chief who wasn't the head of state. This marks a dramatic revival of relations that had remained dormant for four years.
However, the contours of the new phase of the Pak-US relationship are yet to emerge, and it seems more transactional than strategic at this point. There is also a question of whether the resetting of ties is the result of an institutional policy review or Trump's personal initiative. Pakistan's military and civilian leadership are pleased with the boost to Trump's ego, but the results are short-lived due to the extreme ups and downs in the bilateral relationship.
Pakistan must play this game on its own terms, guided by national priorities, not external pressure, and maintain strong ties with both China and the US while safeguarding sovereignty, ensuring economic sustainability, and avoiding entanglements that serve the agendas of other countries more than its own.