Pak-US ties based on 'sycophancy' won't last beyond Trump: Maleeha Lodhi

Maleeha Lodhi, former permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, has said how to deal with Kabul remains a major security and foreign policy challenge and a severe policy dilemma for Pakistan.

“There are obvious limits to a coercive approach and military response as a total breakdown and rupture in relations with Afghanistan is not in Pakistan’s interest especially as relations with India remain so fraught,” the diplomat said while speaking at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

According to Maleeha, for decades Pakistan’s security and foreign policy was aimed at averting a two-front scenario of hot borders with its neighbours but now it is faced with unstable and insecure borders on both the western and eastern fronts.

She said the present strains in Indo-US relations are of a temporary nature. Despite tensions India remains America’s partner of choice in the region especially in its Indo-Pacific strategy. This and the nature of US-India military cooperation has obvious implications for Pak-US ties.

Maleeha said she was the present government’s US policy predicated on sycophancy, sweetheart business deals and willingness to fall in line with Trump’s Middle East agenda.

“These are short-term factors, based on Trump’s whims and will not outlast him and may not even survive during the course of the current administration. So, the challenge of a reset based on real substance still has to be tackled.”

She said the uptick in the Pak-Us ties is epitomized by a series of meetings between top leaders of the two countries and Trump’s positive statements about Pakistan.
According to her, Trump’s positive stance has been shaped by several factors including two wins he secured from Pakistan early in his tenure.

“One, handing over of the terrorist responsible for the Kabul bombing in which US soldiers were killed. The second win was Pakistani leaders giving Trump credit for ending the May conflict with India and then ingratiating themselves with him by nominating Trump for the Nobel peace prize. This has been reinforced by the offer on critical minerals and crypto business deals.

“But rather than hastily conclude the relationship is now on a sustainable upswing I would say re-engagement has opened the way for a reset in ties, which is still a work in progress.”

She cautioned against the over-optimistic view found in official circles and among some analysts about the advent of a bright new era for Pak-US relations. A more measured view, according to the diplomat, is needed for several reasons.

“One, so far, the turnaround is predicated on a personalised relationship. That makes it short-term because durable relations are built on shared interests between countries, not personal predilections,” she added.