The US-Pakistan Relationship: A Fluctuating Alliance and its Implications for India
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India's neighborhood, India-US, India-China, SEATO, US sanctions).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): "India and its neighborhood- relations"; "Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests"; "Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests."
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): "Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security" (Pakistan's role).
Key Highlights from the News
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir recently visited the US three times, indicating an improvement in the lukewarm U.S.–Pakistan relationship.
Former US President Donald Trump, who previously criticized Pakistan harshly, now expresses interest in Pakistan's oil and rare earth minerals.
This relationship has historically always been unstable and transactional.
During the Cold War, Pakistan was America’s most allied ally of the US.
The US not helping in the 1965 and 1971 wars pushed Pakistan towards closer ties with China.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 again made Pakistan a key US partner.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pakistan was a US ally in the "War on Terror," but at the same time, it played a "double game" by providing sanctuary to the Taliban.
The discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in 2011 increased this distrust.
The US has repeatedly imposed sanctions (e.g., Pressler Amendment) against Pakistan's nuclear tests and other activities.
For India, this instability in the US-Pak relationship is a major security challenge.
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