This is not an option; it is a necessity forced upon us.
All this talk of balancing and diplomacy misses the point that the US is irrevocably against Pakistan. We can and should pursue economic interest but, strategically, they will never accept a strong Pakistan. The US will only tolerate a weak Pakistan that is subservient to India. This will not change no matter how much we dance to their tune.
1. The US' top priority is China containment and they have picked India as their regional ally. To that end, they must weaken Pakistan so India can focus on China.
2. The all-powerful Israeli lobby in the US will continue to push an anti-Pakistan agenda even if we recognize them. Israel will never accept a nuclear-capable Pakistan. It is non-negotiable.
3. The Muslim world is irrelevant. The Arabs and Iranians are locked in their eternal conflict, the Turks are schizophrenic about being part of Europe or Asia, the East Asian Muslim countries are rightfully focusing on domestic issue first.
If Pakistan loses China's trust, that will be the final nail in the coffin for this country. The economic meltdown will be followed by a reduction in military budget and forfeiture of our nuclear assets. For people who think that will never happen, why do they think the civilian and military leadership cannot be bought? Do current events justify such a sanguine self-assurance?
In the years past we had all our eggs in one basket USA
and we were very proud about it. (Arms, wheat, soybean, economic aid etc) and look where it got us. We were the "most sanctioned ally" but we persisted with our infatuation with the USA
especially our military for American weapons.
65 arms embargo
71 arms embargo.
Finally Ayub and ZBhutto realised that USA
was not a dependable partner inspite of the Mutual Aid agreement, SEATO, CENTO.
So we wooed the Chinese but kept one eye on the USA
. Initially China helped fill the gap left by the arms embargo. Bhutto also convinced the French to supply weapons and a nuclear processing plant which unfortunately never materialised due to USA pressure. So we were bifurcating our needs which was the right
️ thing to do but the focus was always military centric and not economic. That was a big mistake as we know now.
1980 USSR invaded Afghanistan and suddenly we were a frontline state. Hurrah! Back to the USA
. Reagan approved major military and economic aid packages for 10 years. Gen Zia was the darling of the west but there was darkness domestically.
After 1987 there were bouts of democracy. BB- NS- BB - NS until 1999 and then 911 happened. We were under sanctions since 1989 but once again USA
USA
. we did their dirty work and they dumped us again. Meanwhile China
steadfastly supported us militarily and helped us with our nuclear program etc. Then came CPEC, the first real economic booster for our country.
I've digressed a lot but my point is that we need to diversify our strategic relationships. China yes but Russia, EU and even USA at least from a trade POV.
There should be a even balance between economic well being and military cooperation.