Pakistan, China and the US: The way forward

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.

Pakistan-US relations have changed with the interests of the two countries over the past six decades, and the United States of America remains one of the first countries to have established diplomatic ties with Pakistan. During the Cold War era, Pakistan was a big US supporter and protected their interests in the region. Pakistan was also a close ally to the US after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Though Pakistan-US relations have always been in the limelight, they have never been totally smooth, facing ups and downs. Pakistan extends cordial hands of friendship to the US whenever it needs our support, but the USA always steps back when it no longer needs Pakistani assistance on an issue, and our relations suffer. Pakistan is a country which faced tough, strict sanctions from the US in our history.

Both countries have always cooperated with each other on common goals and interests, though the US failed to value Pakistan’s interests and keptdemanding beyond all limits. “Do more” has become a common request by US leadership in recent years, without understanding Pakistan’s capacity or resources.

During the last few years, the US has started blaming and threatening Pakistan, but I believe this is based on misunderstandings only. Of course there exist some concerns on both sides, some of them may be genuine and some based on misunderstandings. Let’s discuss them one by one.

The first allegation is that Pakistan could not eradicate the Taliban from its territory. I think on the contrary it is the US who could not eliminate the Taliban from Afghanistan, despite being a superpower, with a massive army stationed in Afghanistan, the latest innovative weapons and political support from the international community. On the other hand, Pakistan is a much weaker state than the US, with a poor economy and undeveloped in weapons and technology.How can Pakistan eliminate the Taliban completelywhen the US failed, too? Pakistan cannot be blamed for US failures in Afghanistan.

The second allegation: Pakistan is providing safe space or safe haven to the Taliban within its borders so they can continue operations. The US has fought for the last 16 years in Afghanistan with its well-trained and well-equipped army, but could not occupy or control Afghanistan completely. To date, about 45 percent of Afghanistan is contested or controlled by the Taliban. Americans cannot walk freely and fearlessly in the streets of Kabul. They are not safe except inside military camps. Under these circumstances, why would the Taliban need to seek refuge inside Pakistan, if they can freely operate from inside Afghanistan? Especially, when the Pakistan Army has launched a massive operation in border areas along with Afghanistan and cleaned up the region, to make it free of the Taliban.

Another allegation is that Pakistan is providing space to China. As a matter of fact, the US and Western Europe were leading the Cold War against the Soviet Union untilthe late 1980s and the USSR’s collapse. With the US as the sole superpower in a unipolar world, they have launched direct attacks on the Muslim world and caused massive destruction in many Muslim countries including Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. The US has gained maximum economic benefits through its wars and conducted live tests and trials of new weapons, technologies and war strategies.

But now the US is facing challenges — starting in Syria, where Russia has halted the US-led strategy to remove Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president. The US also faced a defeat in a recent UN General Assembly meeting on the issue of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by receiving only 9 votes in favor against 128 votes noand 35 absentions. Not even the US’s close allies voted in its favor. Honestly speaking,the US has been exposed to the world. Its role has been to wage war, killing innocent people, seizing resources of other countries, sabotage and spreading hate over the last several decades.

On the other hand, China is rising as the hope for the oppressed world.It has launched a mega initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, worth $900 billion in investment. It will improve connectivity within regions and promote economic activities, plus it will create job opportunities, eliminate poverty and promote cooperation and security. Simply put, it is a message of “peace, harmony and development”. The US predicts China will grow economically, politically and militarily in the near future. They are scared of China’s rapid development, and feelinsecure that China may become their competitor the world stage in the very near future. They are trying to curtail China by being close allies with countries around China like India, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines. The US might also be expecting Pakistan to curtail China, which is out of the question.

Pakistan enjoys a long history of friendship with China, and Pakistan-China relations are a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Our friendship is time-tested, everlasting and present in all dimensions. Our relations are based on mutual respect, non-interference, mutual interest and in accordance to best international practices. Pakistan fully supportsthe Belt and Road Initiative and is one of its biggest beneficiaries. Pakistan and China are closely working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, to make it a role model for the rest of the world. Pakistan cannot compromise on Pakistan-China relations.

The Way Forward

Pakistan is a peace-loving country and our role in UN peacekeeping forces is admirable. Our sacrifices during the war on terror go beyond any other country. No other country has suffered more than Pakistan, and we understand the value of peace very well. We promote peace, stability and prosperity all around the globe. Our role in this region is vital, and Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance is well known to the US. Think tanks and military leadership also understand Pakistan’s importance and vital role. Pakistan wants good relations with all countries and would like to extend all possible support and cooperation to achievethe common goal of “peace, stability and prosperity” throughout the whole world. We desire to work closely with all countries, including the USA. It is suggested that Pakistan and USA address each other’s concerns sincerely and extend full cooperation for our mutual goals.

Professor Zamir Awan is a sinologist for the Chinese Studies Center of Excellence at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, and a fellow with CCG(Center for China and Globalization).