Challenges to pak Foreign Policy in 21st century PDF

Preview

Summary

This assignment discusses the major challenges faced by Pakistan in terms of its foreign policy and how the major events like 9/11 and the rise of the Taliban affected the Foreign Policy of Pakistan. It also discusses a brief history of Foreign Policy of Pakistan from inception....

Description

Challenges to Foreign Policy of Pakistan in 21st century

Contents :

1 - Introduction: 2 - Foreign policy of Pakistan and its most important concerns : 3 - A brief history of Pakistan Foreign Policy : 4 - Major events of 21st century and Pakistan’s Foreign policy : 5 - Challenges to Pakistan Foreign Policy in 21st century : 6 - Suggestions for strengthening and formulating an effective foreign policy by Pakistan : 7 - Conclusion 8 - References

Challenges to Pakistan Foreign Policy in 21st Century Introduction: Pakistan, since its inception, has been facing some grave challenges in terms of its Foreign Policy. In its early years, the socio-political structure of Pakistan was highly unstable due to many structural problems. But in the 21st century, the problems and challenges that Pakistan faces are more daunting and serious. The challenges of terrorism, globalization, extremism, sectarianism, Issue of Kashmir and nuclearisation in South Asia, Afghan issue and some other internal issues have deeply affected Pakistan’s foreign policy in the dawn of 21st century. We know that this 21st century is the age of globalisation and those countries which are economically, politically and technologically stable can survive and compete in this fast and challenging era of international politics. The world has never been the same since the incident of 9/11. It is more dangerous and politically unstable than ever. The rise of non-state actors and their increasing power have hugely impacted the overall politics of the world and relations among countries. The rise of China as a new economic superpower has also an impact on both South Asia and the rest of the world. China’s new geopolitical projects like OBOR “One belt One Road” has been playing a key role in changing and dominating the power politics of the South Asian region and the overall economy of the world. Other important events like the war on terror, rise of Taliban, Middle East crisis such as the Rise of ISIS and Yemen conflict etc, Issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India, the growing interest of U.S as well as Russia in South Asia has posed newer challenges to Pakistan. The changing geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic conditions of the South Asian region has exposed Pakistan Foreign Policy new political, economic and security problems and challenges. Pakistan’s strategic position in the region is very delicate because of the effects of post 9/11 event and developments on its bilateral relations, strategic and defence concerns, internal stability, economic situation and national integrity. These complex political, security and economic problems is a huge challenge to Pakistani stakeholders in terms of Pakistan’s foreign policy, which should be made and implemented according to the changing situation in the region.

The foreign policy of Pakistan and its most important concerns : Several factors determine the foreign policy of a country. Factors like economy, security, geography, religion, ideological interests, political stability and many more affect a country’s foreign policy. Pakistan has also faced many challenges in the making of its foreign policy because of its status in the Muslim world and its historic past. Different factors have played a significant role in the determination of Pakistan Foreign Policy, which we shall discuss under briefly. 1 - National Security: National Security is Pakistan’s Foreign policy most important concern. The presence of a hostile neighbour India and a politically unstable neighbour Afghanistan has a direct impact on the National Security of Pakistan. 2 - Geostrategic location of the country: Pakistan’s geostrategic location has always played a huge role in its foreign policy formulation as it has its border with India, China, Afghanistan and Iran, and is also very close to the Central Asia States, which was a part of Soviet Union formerly. 3 - Islamic ideology : Ideology is another basic and important determinant of the foreign policy of a country. The people of this region are greatly committed to Islam. Pakistan was created based on religion, which makes it a unique feature. This ideological factor is thus an important determinant in influencing Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy. 4 - Economic factor: Economic interests are another important concern of the Foreign Policy of Pakistan. Pakistan, since its inception, inherited a weaker economy and is constantly struggling for economic survival in the 21st century. Economy, in 3rd world countries like Pakistan, plays a very significant role in its Foreign Policymaking.

A brief history of Pakistan Foreign Policy : Since its creation, Pakistan has faced a lot of problems in its foreign policymaking and implementation as its foreign policy was mostly based on its economic interests and security. Pakistan- India rivalry and the unresolved issue of Kashmir heavily influenced Foreign Policy of Pakistan in the Cold War era and still it has a profound effect on Pakistan's foreign policy. After being neutral in the early stages of the Cold War, Pakistan decided to choose its side by being part of Baghdad pact in 1955. This act created a sense of anger among all the Muslims. Pakistan justified this move by claiming that it was the need of time and it was done due to safety from India. Although, that choice of joining the pact was due to Pakistan’s own weak economic and military position. The U.S also tried to pressurise Pakistan to enter its Capitalist bloc led by the U.S by promising it economic and military support. As we know that Pakistan was created based on two-nation theory, which basic element was religion. Pakistan was created on religious grounds; but after its creation, there were different questions concerning not only its survival but also related to its ideology. The question was whether it should be an Islamic or a secular state. The country’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has clearly stated at every platform that Pakistan will be a secular country having complete religious freedom provided to every citizen no matter what their religion is. Pakistan was principally composed of Muslims but essentially it was a democratic and secular state in terms of its political institutions its constitution. In a speech on 11 August 1947; Quaid Azam made it clear that in this country everyone is allowed to practice their religion freely. They can go to mosques, temples, churches and any other worship place want to go. Any religion, creed or caste has nothing to do with the state’s business. But under different regimes, many attempts were made to Islamize the country and frame its foreign policy according to it. The most pressure which the establishment of Pakistan faced was from the side of Ulemas, who wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic State. Pakistan suffered a huge loss in the unfolding of events of 1971 when it lost East Pakistan- Bangladesh. India played an important part in these events. As a result, a greater animosity between India and Pakistan was

created and both states started to see each other as rivals and a threat. India’s ties with the United States meant that any kind of help which Pakistan wanted from the US during these years should not be met. It seemed that the relations between Pakistan and the US were more directed towards the elimination of communism than the own benefits of Pakistan after being an ally with the USA. Affected by the challenges of both inside and from outside, Pakistan formally framed its foreign policy based on its economic interests and security concerns. In the wake of Invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, Pakistan joined NATO, a US-led coalition of forces to fight against USSR in Afghanistan. Pursuing its foreign policy objectives and goals, the country wanted to improve its bilateral relations both within and outside the region. Also, Pakistan unsuccessfully tried to reduce the growing dependence of its foreign policy on the US and pursue its foreign policy independently. Pakistan has strong ties with Saudi Arabia and China for very long. Along with these countries, Pakistan also became successful to maintain stable relations with Gulf countries and also improve its ties with South and Central Asian states.

Major events of the 21st century and Pakistan’s Foreign policy : After the defeat of the Soviet Union and Communism in Afghanistan at the end of 20th century by the help of Mujahideen, which was backed and financed by the U.S; a unipolar world emerged with only one hegemon USA dominating the world politics. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Communism failed as a political, economic and social ideology. West gained a victory and the capitalist system based on private ownership, free markets and trade, and profit maximization expanded and gained influence all over the world. With the emergence of other states and non-state actors like China, India, Brazil, France and Germany, and European Union, and other IGOs and MNCs; the world moved from a strong bipolar system to a multipolar system. The international political system was almost becoming stable that another tragic incident happened in the form of attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, referred to as 9/11, which shook the whole socio-political structure of the world. Soon after the attacks,

US President George W Bush declared these attacks as terrorist attacks and started to hunt the invisible enemy responsible for the attacks. “Terrorism” became an enemy for the whole world. The U.S tried to bring the whole world on one page to fight the common enemy. Al Qaeda, an Islamic militant organization under the leadership of Osama bin Laden was held responsible for the attacks. The US demanded Osama bin Laden from Al Qaeda but after they refused, the US invaded Afghanistan to end the Taliban regime in the country. A coalition of different forces in the form of NATO also joined the mission in Afghanistan. Pakistan being a neighbour to Afghanistan and having geostrategic importance in South Asia, which was once used against the Soviet Union by the US again became a frontline ally of the USA in the war against terrorism. After US Army invasion in Afghanistan, the second phase of the war on terror was the U.S decision to invade Iraq to punish Saddam Hussain, a despotic ruler, for the making of weapons of mass destruction and creating instability in the Middle East region. The US wanted to liberate the Iraqis from the cruel administration of Saddam. The situation this time was a bit different as many countries including Pakistan was against the use of military power in Iraq by the U.S. Challenges to Pakistan Foreign Policy in the 21st century :

Pakistan has been facing many domestic and foreign policy challenges since its birth, but in the 21st century, the challenges grew more complex and bigger due to the changing phenomena of global politics and events such as 9/11, war on terror, Middle East crisis, and problems like terrorism, sectarianism, extremism etc. After the end of the Cold War-era towards the 21st century, Pakistan became a key state in determining the future of the South Asian region through its foreign policy. Here we will discuss in details some of the most important challenges which are faced by Pakistan in framing and implementing its foreign policy effectively.

1- Kashmir Issue and Nuclearisation in South Asia: Kashmir Issue is one of the greater challenges to the foreign policy of Pakistan in the 21st century. The Kashmir issue remained a huge challenge to Pakistan Foreign Policy since its inception. Another important issue connected with Kashmir issue is of the nuclearization in South Asia. This Kashmir issue has been the sole reason for the wars fought by India and Pakistan against each other in 1965, 1971, Kargil war of 1999, and also the testing of nuclear weapons by both the countries has created a sense of security dilemma in both the countries making the region dangerous. “Indo-Pak relations always remained security-centric. The historic crises put both the states on the verge of nuclear explosion inmate 1998; the situation could seek nuclear aspect indeed nuclear deterrence in South Asia is weak. Kashmir has been the flashpoint in constrain of both the states have been fought several wars including in 1947-48, 1965 and 1971and the Kargil conflict in 1999. The Kashmir conflict remains unfinished business.” (www.stimson.org) A new nuclear race has started after the civil nuclear deal which has escalated the situation in the region of South Asia. According to Pakistan, the deal has affected the balance of power among states in the region and also responsible for a nuclear race in the region. “ Pakistan opposes the deal on the grounds that it would lead to a new nuclear arms race in South Asia; would undermine the global non-proliferation regime; and that it “does not accept discriminatory treatment” and would have preferred a “package deal” that accommodates the energy security interests of both India and Pakistan.” (http://www.sassu.org.uk) Still unresolved, the Kashmir issue has created many problems for both Pakistan and India in terms of their economic and socio-political relations and a safe and secure trade between the countries. Many attempts were made to resolve this issue but those attempts came out with no positive result. This Kashmir issue led to the starting of a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan which has also made the whole South Asian region a bit unstable politically and insecurity means. Although both the countries are now nuclear powers but still the issue of

Kashmir is unresolved and Kashmiris are suffering in their own country divided by the hate, animosity and dirty politics of statesmen on both side. This Kashmir issue and the problem of nuclearization has affected the Pakistan Foreign policy to a greater extent. 2 - Growing US-India Bonhomie : According to most analysts, this century is for the Asians. India and China are the newly emerging giants of Asia, and due to its proximity with both states, Pakistan is bound to have spill-over implications of their policy, as China and Pakistan are both good friends while Pakistan and India have been enemies of each other since long. Pakistan became important for America after defeating the Soviet Union by providing support to the U.S and after the incident of 9/11 which started a full-fledged war on terrorism ( War on Terror ). It is very important to mention that Pakistan has always remained important for USA interests in the South Asian region. In South Asia, the United State policymakers have always focused on Pakistan-India-China triangle. In this region, China is the greatest competitor of America, India is its strategic Ally while Pakistan has been a partner of the US in the war on terror. However, to dominate China by pursuing its strategic concerns, the US has always tilted more towards its ally India. On the other hand, China remained peaceful by adopting a low profile in the region, and the world at large. The increasing friendship between the United States and India during the 1990s has been dangerous to Pakistan. Pakistan was in isolation in that era and its most allied ally - the USA - had many concerns regarding the country’s nuclear programme and made all efforts to force Pakistan in rolling it back. At the end of 1990s, the US tilt towards India, especially after the episode of Kargil, grew stronger and was seen as a shift in paradigm in the relations between two largest democracies in the world. Thus, we can conclude that this US-India relation has both an impact on Pakistan and South Asia because of the increasing interests of US in the region because of China and then after 9/11, the US-led war on terror, in which Pakistan became a frontline ally of US by changing its foreign policy narrative.

Globalization; a threat to Pakistan foreign policy : For third world countries like Pakistan, Globalization is an emerging threat and a great challenge rather than an opportunity. Critics argue that in this rapid era of globalization, the countries which will survive in flourish in terms of economy and politics will be those countries which are politically stable and economically strong. Every nation is having its own principles according to its environment that compels a country to establish, frame & execute its foreign policy to secure its national interest in accordance with the opportunities and challenges that are provided by the global spectrum. The fundamental criterion of all the economies to contribute to the world economy is creating the international standards and principles for their economic systems. There are, indeed, monitory policy principles, fiscal payment and transparency insurance system, governance, securities, corporate and the whole draw up of other different fields. It means that the individual countries should probe their economic policies to take part in the competition of the international market and all the policy managers have to project their policies by greater transparency worldwide. Keeping in view the above-mentioned points, Pakistan needs to reform its political system, flourish in its economic performance, and to adopt essential elements such as good governance, and maintain the rule of law to tackle the new challenges that come with globalization. In the South Asian perspective, India is a bigger threat not in terms of the arms race only but also in the economic competition. The rising role of India’s, both vertically and horizontally, has an impact on policy matters of Pakistan; because, in a world of globalization, the economic interests of states are more important than any other interests. Issue of Afghanistan and War on terror : Another huge challenge for Pakistan in terms of its foreign policy is the Afghan Issue and the war against terrorism. In the war on terror which is launched by the US against a common invisible enemy, Pakistan is playing a key role by being the epicentre of the war.

First, Pakistan has been impelled to adopt a defensive strategy due to the geostrategic environment of the region. Due to its weak political system, a fragile economy and geostrategic conditions; India has been constantly trying to contain Pakistan in Afghanistan. Second, after the withdrawal of US troops and the collapse of the Soviet Union, a political vacuum was created in Afghanistan. Pakistan adopted a policy of “strategic depth” in order to secure its strategic position in the region and contain India the influence of India in Afghanistan. Third, after 9/11, it has again become harder for Pakistan to secure its interest in Afghanistan. The increasing influence of India in Afghanistan, according to some analysts, is due to the reason that the Afghan government is Indian friendly. Pakistan is in such a prevalent condition, facing serious challenges after 9/11 regarding the crisis in Afghanistan. The critical and serious challenges in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the region include deep poverty, widespread violence, unresolved border disputes, poor governance, drug trafficking and nuclear weapons. Moreover, sovereignty issues, and the complex historical, religious and social dynamics of the region also threaten to disturb the national and international balance. Pakistan and Afghanistan both are facing the menace of terrorism which is under their authorities control within their territories. Afghanistan & Pakistan has some amelioration than past however, there is an also a kind of constrained b/w them.

Extremism, terrorism and sectarianism : Other serious intractable challenges to Pakistan are extremism and terrorism. The 9/11 events have some serious implications on the socio-political and economic aspect of Pakistan foreign policy in a broader perspective. Pakistan became vulnerable in economic terms; costing its loss of 100 B Dollars and receiving financial aid of only 16 billion $. Pakistan, in the perspective of foreign policy, is perceived as a terrorist hub and an unsafe and insecure country.

Source: http://www.finance.gov.

Domestic Challenges; affecting the foreign policy of Pakistan : Domestic policies of a country heavily influence the country’s forei...