THE Pakistan-US relationship has been marked by periods of cooperation and complication since the establishment of Pakistan. The outcome of the 2024 United States presidential elections will have definite implications for the future of this relationship. The US and Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations on 15 August 1947, with the US being the second country to recognize Pakistan’s independence.
During the Cold War, Pakistan was an ally of the United States. Pakistan’s strategic location in South Asia, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, made it a valuable partner for the US in countering the Soviet Union’s influence in the region. Following the 9/11 attacks, the US-Pakistan relationship in the region became even more important. Pakistan emerged as a pivotal player in the United States’ counterterrorism efforts, with the US extending significant financial assistance to Pakistan for infrastructure development and security initiatives.
For the first two years of the Trump Administration, there was considerable tension in the US-Pakistan relations. This was due to the Administration’s priority focus on withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan. This coupled with US charges that Pakistan was taking insufficient action against militant groups operating from within its borders and eliminating more than $1.3 billion in security assistance strained the relationship considerably.
The relationship changed in the Fall of 2018 with the appointment of Zalmay Khalilzad as special envoy to Pakistan and the pursuit of a peace process. Pakistan played a crucial role in facilitating this process. The bilateral relationship between the US and Pakistan was reset during Imran Khan’s visit to Washington in July 2019, where he and President Trump established a personal rapport. While challenges remained, such as trade imbalances and regional tensions, the bilateral relationship strengthened after that.
In recent years, relations between Pakistan and the United States have remained relatively stable. During the Biden Administration, the US-Pakistan Green Alliance Framework has emphasized, focusing on strengthening collaborative efforts in environmental protection. In addition, the US has extended support to Pakistan for recovery from the devastating floods of 2022, highlighting its commitment to addressing environmental and climate-related challenges through bilateral initiatives.
A stable relationship with Pakistan is important due to many factors including its nuclear capabilities, large population and location bordering both Afghanistan and China. It is also important because of Pakistan’s role in South Asian geopolitics, particularly in the light of its relationships with China and India. The future of US-Pakistan relations post-election will hinge on the next Administration’s stance on South Asia and evolving global dynamics. No matter who is elected the US-China relations will be central to US policy in South Asia, influencing US-Pakistan relations.
Pakistan will undoubtedly face strategic pressures regarding its cooperation with China while also navigating regional security concerns and trade relationships impacted by US policies toward Iran and India. Ultimately, US-Pakistan relations will remain strategically driven, but the focus and methods will vary depending on each Administration’s broader foreign policy agenda in South Asia. In conclusion, the presidential elections in the US will be held on November 5. The exact nature of the US-Pakistan relation going forward will be determined in the months and years after that.
—The writer is an Entrepreneur, Civic Leader, and Thought Leader based in Washington DC.
