Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
Former US President George W. Bush’s quoted statement was manifestly the recognition of Pakistan’s contributions in ‘War against Terrorism’. For some, it added a new chapter to Pak-US ties.
Both countries agreed to initiate US-Pakistan Strategic Partnership Dialogue in March 2006 during a meeting between the two presidents in Islamabad. A notable fact is that the dialogue was initiated exactly after two years of the launch of drone strikes in Pakistan. The first US drone attack, inside Pakistani territory, was carried out in 2004 and Pakistan was granted the status of Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) by the United States the same year. Since then the Pak-US relations have been on a rocky path.
For long, the US remained obsessed with the ‘DO MORE’ mantra in its relations with Pakistan. First Bush administration and then Obama administration, every now and then, asked Islamabad to do more against terrorism. US dissatisfaction over Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism led to increased drone attacks. In addition, in past couple of years, some critical issues, for instance, Raymond Davis incident, Aafia Siddiqui case, Operation Neptune Spear and Salala incident, widened the gulf between both countries. One of the major issues between Pakistan and the US has been, and still is, the drone attacks. Despite protests and calls against the unlawful attacks, the UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) still keep hovering over Pakistani territory.
While launching the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, President Bush and President Musharraf expressed their firm commitment to strengthen the foundation for a strong, stable and enduring relationship. Pakistan and the US committed to work together with Afghanistan to make Pakistan and Afghanistan a land bridge, linking the economic potentials of South Asia and the Central Asia. Economic growth and prosperity, energy, peace and security, social sector development, science and technology, democracy and nuclear non-proliferation were the areas identified by the two leaders to be made part of strategic cooperation. Till October 2010, four rounds of Strategic Partnership dialogue were held.
–President George W. Bush, February 22, 2006, Washington DC, Address to Asia Society.
‘It would focus on broader management, counterterrorism and Pakistan’s economic revival. Pakistan-US relationship is not defined by threats we face and is not just about counterterrorism but about economic revival of Pakistan.’
The US has been, since 2001, pursuing a hard-line policy towards Pakistan. With a particular reference to drone strikes, Obama administration has very conveniently continued the policy adding more rigour to the already aggressive agenda. During Mr Kerry’s visit, the two countries failed to narrow down their differences over the drone strikes as he indicated that drone strikes would continue. Responding to a question regarding an end to drone attacks, he said:
‘I think the [drone] programme will end as we have eliminated most of the threat and continue to eliminate it.’
Pressed on whether a timeline was envisaged, he responded:
‘Well, I do. And I think the (US) President has a very real timeline and we hope it’s going to be very, very soon.’
Three important factors are due to set the future course of the regional politics and the US-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral relationship: US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US terms of future engagement in South Asia, to balance strategic equation in the presence of China and Britain. Nevertheless, the revival of Strategic Dialogue may be utilized as an opportunity to better the battered relationship between both countries.
The US already enjoys close strategic alliance with India and Afghanistan. However, the US has to recognize that an enduring peace and economic stability in the region is not possible sans Pakistan. On the other hand, to maintain a balanced equation with the US, Pakistan requires pursuing its policy with a holistic approach. In post-US withdrawal regional scenario, Pakistan has an all-important role to play. However, it would largely depend on how well the PML-N government manages foreign relations and foreign policy developments.
The government is yet to appoint a new ambassador to the US. The slot not only holds significance but given the circumstances, it is the most crucial post with a lot of responsibility. Although, Islamabad explicitly refused to launch any military operation in North Waziristan Agency, the new government must also clearly delineate its anti-terrorism policy in view of the US counterterrorism agenda. Mr Kerry’s visit holds a subtle significance and now it depends upon our government to shape a less hostile and relatively a friendly future course of relationship based on mutual respect and a spirit of cooperation.
