The current agreement among Iran, India and Afghanistan is also a factor that is isolating Pakistan in the region
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expecting better economic conditions through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a collection of projects. This project is bringing China and Pakistan closer to each other, but at the same time, it is also isolating us from other countries of the region and the world. Countries in the region are perceiving threats from this project and do not let any stone unturned in trying to disrupt Pakistan’s foreign policy. As a result, Pakistan is facing huge foreign policy challenges right now. India is playing its diplomatic cards with the US well to put pressure on Pakistan. Relations between Pakistan and the US have not been on a smooth footing since the launch of the CPEC. The US firstly displayed its rigid behaviour in failing to provide F-16s to Pakistan and now, it is giving harsh statements after the killing of Mullah Mansoor in Balochistan. The response from the Pakistani side after the killing of Mullah Mansoor is also rigid, which shows that our relations with the US are going to become even more sour in the future.
Iran, India and Afghanistan have signed a transit accord on the Chabahar port of Iran. This is a deal to counter the impact of the CPEC. They also have plans to expand this deal to encompass economic and cultural cooperation. They want to link themselves to the world with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating on the occasion that, “We want to link to the world, but connectivity among ourselves is also a priority”.
The current agreement among Iran, India and Afghanistan is also a factor that is isolating Pakistan in the region. We have no other option but to rely on China. The long-term consequences of the Corridor may help stabilise our economy but the current state of affairs highlights how isolated we have become, globally and regionally. Attention must be paid to this reality in order to create a smooth path for our foreign policy and economy going forward.
Arslan Rasheed
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2016.
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