Complex regional dynamics to limit ties with US

ISLAMABAD:

Former Pakistani diplomats on Wednesday criticised the US for shaping its relationship with Pakistan based on the country's ties with China and India, rather than recognising Pakistan's independent strategic value, and predicted that US engagement with Pakistan would remain limited under the Trump administration.

The remarks were made during a roundtable discussion organized by the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), which explored the future of Pakistan-US relations.

The event, titled 'Trump 2.0: Implications for Pakistan', featured a panel of former diplomats, including Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan; Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, who has served as Pakistan's ambassador to the US, India, and China; Ambassador Masood Khalid, former ambassador to China; and Dr. Qamar Cheema, Executive Director of the Sanober Institute.

The discussion centred on the shifting dynamics between the U.S., Pakistan, China, and India.

The participants highlighted that growing strategic convergences between India and the US and the simultaneous intensification of rivalry between China and US were limiting Pakistan's foreign policy options, yet maintaining each other's goodwill is a prerequisite for meaningful engagement in the future.

They highlighted that the lack of shared strategic convergences between Washington and Islamabad hinders the transformation of this relationship into an enduring and substantial partnership.

Experts emphasized the importance of Pakistan's strategic location, which makes it a key player in regional and global geopolitics.

They regretted the fact that the US often shaped its approach toward Pakistan based on the dynamics of Pakistan's relations with China and India, rather than recognizing Pakistan's independent strategic value.