Foreign Policy of
Pakistan
United States and India will be
discussed only.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Basic principles of Pakistan’s foreign policy:
• No policy at all only foreign relations.
• Event based policy. (No short or long term)
• Policy based on Anti-Indian approach.
• Pro-U.S policy since 1950’s (SETO & CENTO).
• Every regime in Pakistan has a different policy.
• Relations with Islamic countries are never
smooth.
• Always suffered heavily due to Super Power
Wars.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
• Policy based on the political and personal
interests of leaders rather than national
interests.
• Domestic policy is a continuation of foreign
policy both failed.
• Policy derived by the military leadership to
safe guard their institutional interests.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Foreign Policy of Pakistan towards U.S:
Two pillars of U.S foreign policy in Post Cold War
era.
• Pax Americana (American Hegemony to be
maintained).
• Containment of China.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan U.S relations:
• Pak-U.S engagement have mostly been single issue
relationships that have proposed in the neglect of
some of their vital interests.
• Being a weaker party Pakistan’s loss has been heavier.
Pakistan did not get the best value of its services as
much of the U.S help was non-monetary by way of
political support to military regimes which was no
doubt priced into deal.
• Pakistan has traditionally responded to regional
impulses where as the United States to global
dynamics.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan U.S relations:
• American mediation in Kargill.
• Coup of General Pervaz Mushraff was not recognized by
U.S.
• Bill Clinton visit to Pakistan didn’t meet Mushraff address
the Pakistani nation in 2000.
• 9/11 changed the U.S policy towards Pakistan.
• Pakistan became the key alley in War on Terror.
• Heavy military and non military aid to Pakistan.
• Lack of trust between two countries due to providing cover
to terrorists.
• Pakistani agencies accused of playing double game.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan U.S relations:
• U.S supporting and helping India more than Pakistan
(Civil-Nuclear Deal).
• Pakistan’s effort not being applauded and asked to “Do
More” by the U.S.
• U.S supporting all the anti Pakistan elements in
Afghanistan (Northern Alliance and India).
• Taliban were the allies of U.S and Pakistan against
USSR, now fighting against U.S and NATO. Taliban
sympathizers present in Pakistan which is concerned
for U.S.
• Anti American sentiments prevailing in Pakistan.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan U.S relations:
• Strategic dialogue.
• U.S interfering in Pakistan affairs.
• AF-Pak policy of America, criticized by Pakistan.
• American drone attacks, promoting militancy in
past.
• Violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
• Contracted mercenaries working in Pakistan
(Black Water).
• Relations should be on equal terms.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan U.S relations:
• As a super power U.S has been neither compelling nor easy
to harmonize its tactical goals, short and long term agendas
and regional interests.
• U.S Pakistan ties lacked a larger conceptual framework and
a broad shared vision. It is no wonder then that as soon as
the United States achieved its objectives vis-à-vis Pakistan
in past engagements; U.S Pakistan policy consensus would
break down.
• Pakistan army over the years has forged extremely friendly
relations with U.S administrations especially with Pentagon.
• Pakistan's public at large has never consented to Pakistan’s
policy on U.S.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
• Since the birth of Pakistan, its relations with India
have been generally tense and uneasy and
occasionally hostile as reflected by the several
wars and military confrontations between the
two countries. The unresolved dispute of Kashmir
and New Delhi's quest for regional harmony
continue to mar Indo-Pak relations. Similarly
Indian reluctance to accept “creation of Pakistan”
is also another factor in unending Indo-Pak
tensions.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
• “Zero Sum Mentality”, adventurism on part of
rulers in both countries and mutual mistrust
continue to ruin any fragile peace initiatives.
Bilateralism remains marked feature of
diplomatic ties, as our Eastern neighbor's
insistence on not involving a third party. It would
not be an exaggeration to say that both countries
have failed to move one step ahead in their
bilateral relations despite six decades of their
existence.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
• Composite Dialogue:
• The origin of Composite Dialogue can be
traced to Lahore Declaration of 1999 in which
both countries agreed to intensify a hiatus of
five years, the deliberations on composite
dialogue resumed in 2004 at the corners of
SARRAC summit in Islamabad.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
• Composite Dialogue:
1. The eight items of discussion in composite dialogue were:
2. Peace and Security including CBMs.
3. Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Siachin.
5. Sir Creek.
6. Terrorism.
7. Drug Trafficking.
8. Economic and commercial cooperation.
9. Promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
• Composite Dialogue:
• Sadly the events of 26th November in Mumbai
derailed the on going peace process as India
unilaterally suspended the composite dialogue
and once again accused Pakistan for terrorism.
• The vibes coming from the Modi regime are not
encouraging as the new set-up is to be inclined
towards the ideology of “HINDUVTA”. Where
peace is just an illusion.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Critical analysis of Pakistan India relations:
1. Pakistan’s foreign policy is Indo-centric.
2. No recognition of Pakistan whole heartedly.
3. In Power-Politics weakness provides aggression; Nuclear weapon
a real threat to the peace of South-Asia. (Debatable).
4. Conventional disparity gets irrelevant when both the countries are
nuclear weapon states.
5. To avert the threat of nuclearaisation.
6. Taking the regional issues more effectively.
7. Cut defense budget and expenditure of social sector.
8. SAARC should be made more effective.
9. Dialogue on regular bases.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Major Issues:
• Kashmir Issue.
• Siachin Glacier dispute (1984).
• Boundary dispute over Sir Creek (Run of Kutch).
• Indus Water Treaty (September-19-1960).
• Wullar Barrage Issue (1985/Jehlum/Kashmir).
• Kishenganga Dam (1992/Nealum/Kashmir).
• Baglihar Dam (Chenab/Kashmir).
• Terrorism.
• Nucleaisation of South Asia.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan
• Pakistan and India must realize that only peaceful
co-existence can usher stability and economic
development in the region. Efforts may be
increased for economic integration of both
countries. Composite dialogue must be carried on
under all circumstances. The necessity of greater
people to people will effectively bridge mutual
suspicion. Steps towards viable solution of
Kashmir are required though the solution may
require more time.