Fluctuation in Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Do We Need a Constant and Clear Approach?

By Amna Rahim and Marusha Kamran Hashmi

Pakistan’s foreign policy has transitioned through phases of neutrality, alliances, bilateralism, and non-alignment, motivated by various factors, including security concerns, strategic necessity, geopolitical imperatives, and economic pragmatism.

jnFacing existential challenges from India and Afghanistan, Pakistan sought partnerships that offered both security assurances and economic support. The influx of military and economic aid from the United States, along with alignment with Western countries through SEATO and CENTO, transformed Pakistan’s military and economic landscape, establishing it as a significant actor in Cold War geopolitics.

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy & First Indo-Pak War

The First Indo-Pak War (1947–48) over Kashmir highlighted India’s imminent vulnerability. The conflict resulted in the establishment of the Line of Control but left Kashmir as a hotspot for future conflicts.

By the early 1950s, Pakistan allocated a considerable percentage of its budget to defense, almost 60% of overall expenditures, which was unsustainable without foreign aid. The Cold War played a crucial role in Pakistan’s transition from neutrality to alliances.

Pakistan’s geographical location made it vital to the U.S. strategy to contain Soviet Communism in the region during camp politics. Consequently, Pakistan formed an alliance with America. Concerns about security along its western borders were exacerbated by Afghanistan’s support for Pashtun nationalism and its rejection of the Durand Line as the official border.

The economic crisis of the 1950s influenced the decision to form alliances, as Pakistan’s foreign trade suffered due to falling jute and cotton prices. The United States supplied wheat, alleviating food shortages and promoting friendship as a gesture of goodwill.

Pakistan felt isolated, believing that the United Nations and Commonwealth would not resolve Pakistan-India conflicts, particularly the Kashmir dispute. The region involves a complex web of interests and concerns, with both India and the permanent members of the UN Security Council holding significant stakes. Given the divergent priorities of these key players, Pakistan may be apprehensive that a resolution addressing its core interests could be vetoed by one of the UNSC permanent members.

Pakistan’s stance may be that the international community’s calculus is skewed towards preserving beneficial ties with India, a strategically important rising global player, at the expense of impartially addressing Pakistan’s concerns over the Kashmir issue. The perception of favoritism towards India’s interests may cause Pakistan to lose faith in the ability or desire of the international community to mediate a fair resolution of the conflict.

How Early U.S. Aid Shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, Stability and Instability:

At independence, Pakistan inherited just 17% of British India’s revenue sources while supporting 33% of its military men, resulting in a significant financial imbalance. Pakistan’s economy was primarily rural, with no industrial infrastructure. Economic development was critical to political stability and security advancement. Pakistan received over $650 million in military and economic aid from the United States.

By 1960, U.S. economic assistance had helped stabilize Pakistan’s economy, contributing to a 20% increase in GDP over the decade. By aligning with major powers, Pakistan gained access to advanced military technology, weapons, and training, enhancing its military capabilities.

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Pakistan’s relationships with the West, particularly through SEATO and CENTO, increased the military’s participation in politics, leading to ongoing political instability. Military aid from the United States and other Western countries bolstered the Pakistani military, allowing it to seize political power by coup.

During the Cold War, Pakistan received significant economic aid, which, although advantageous in the short run, created a reliance that inhibited the development of self-sustaining economic reforms.

This dependence became clear when aid shipments were halted, resulting in economic instability and disasters. For example, in 1971, during the Indo-Pak war, Pakistan faced a severe economic crisis, with GDP growth falling to -5.7%, showing the country’s sensitivity to external shocks.

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The connection with Western alliances heightened regional tensions, notably with India. Military aid from the United States and other Western allies fueled a weapons race in South Asia, pushing India to seek assistance from the Soviet Union. This dynamic aggravated hostility and contributed to the conflicts of 1965 and 1971 between India and Pakistan. The imbalanced and strong relationship with the West caused Pakistan to suffer diplomatic isolation within the Islamic world and among other non-aligned countries.

Shifting Alliances: Policy Challenges for US in South Asia

Pakistan was concerned about Soviet reprisal for downing an American espionage plane, the U-2, that had set off from Badaber. Land bases became less important as the US built ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) and nuclear submarines equipped with missiles. The Kennedy administration promoted India as a counterbalance to China after taking office in January 1961.

The West’s economic aid frequently came with onerous terms, limiting Pakistan’s economic autonomy. This reliance sparked a shift in foreign policy to pursue more diversified and balanced economic alliances. Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was influential in shifting Pakistan’s foreign policy toward bilateralism, advocating for an independent and sovereign policy.

The global geopolitical environment was changing, with major events such as the Sino-Soviet split and the US-China rapprochement. China became a major ally and economic partner of Pakistan, showcasing its strategic importance when President Nixon visited China. Thus, a new phase of bilateral relations for Pakistan began. In 1971, the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation emphasized the necessity for Pakistan to diversify its ties. The pact enhanced Pakistan’s sense of vulnerability, propelling it to achieve more stable and diverse international relations.

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy And Middle east

As an energy-deficient country, Pakistan recognized the significance of Middle Eastern nations’ role in the global energy sector. To address its energy needs and reduce dependence on external alliances, Pakistan pursued bilateral energy cooperation.

The security of Pakistan has been affected by the rise of extremist ideologies and the Middle East’s crises, such as the Gulf War and the ensuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pakistan has to deal with various issues such as terrorism, extremism, and sectarianism.

Therefore, to address these security issues and promote regional stability, Pakistan adopted bilateral alliances with nations in the Middle East. This shift from alliances to bilateralism allowed Pakistan to align foreign policy with its own strategic priorities, rather than being solely guided by larger alliance structures. This enabled Pakistan to exercise greater agency, shape foreign policy independently, and assert its autonomy in international affairs.

Erarly face of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy:

The early phase of Pakistan’s foreign policy from 1947 to 1960 taught valuable lessons, including the need for strategic alliances, the dangers of over-reliance on a single bloc, the significance of balanced ties with all countries, economic self-sufficiency, and regional interdependence.

These lessons impacted future foreign policy decisions and actions, which sought to assure enhanced stability, security, and sovereignty. Pakistan realized the need to create strategic partnerships to maintain national security and economic stability.

Overreliance on a single bloc or country can make a nation vulnerable to changes in global politics and policy. By closely associating with the United States and its allies, Pakistan became significantly reliant on Western aid. This relationship frayed as US priorities altered, notably when the US halted military aid during the 1965 war, leaving Pakistan to face India without assurances of backing from its allies.

This experience underscored the need for a more diversified foreign policy, leading to later efforts to build relations with other major powers, such as China and the Islamic world, to reduce dependency on any single bloc. Economic self-reliance is crucial for long-term national growth and limiting vulnerability to external influences. Early economic policies were primarily reliant on foreign aid and loans, mainly from Western nations.

While this funding helped develop early infrastructure, it also created a cycle of reliance. Pakistan’s early foreign policy did not prioritize regional cooperation. The emphasis was on identifying with distant Western countries rather than strengthening regional connections. This strategy heightened tensions with neighboring nations, notably India and Afghanistan.

The authors are students of BS International Relations at the Department of International Relations, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK.