THE United States has reaffirmed its commitment to a long-term mutually-beneficial security partnership with Pakistan. In a statement issued after a strategic-level defence dialogue between the two countries, the US side also thanked Pakistan for supporting Afghan peace talks.
Despite ups and downs in their bilateral relationship, Pakistan and the United States cannot afford to abandon each other due to strategic and economic compulsions. Foreign policy experts rightly point out that national interests and strategic calculus of the two countries converged during the cold war era and subsequently Pakistan contributed significantly towards international campaign against terrorism. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the gains of the United States and the world community vis-à-vis terrorism are mainly because of dominant contribution and sacrifices by Pakistan. Now again, as the United States is in search of ways and means to leave Afghanistan in a respectable manner, it is seeking cooperation from Pakistan for success of the ongoing talks aimed at finding a peaceful settlement of the 18-year old conflict in Afghanistan and Islamabad is wholeheartedly extending its cooperation in this regard. At times, the United States adopted an extortionist approach towards Pakistan and remained adamant not to acknowledge the role and contribution of Islamabad in furthering its strategic interests but despite all this Pakistan cannot afford to totally distance itself from Washington. The United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market and the US provided meaningful security and civilian aid to the country in the past. There is no doubt that, at the moment, the United States is viewing its relationship with Pakistan mainly through Afghan prism but it cannot ignore the country even if the Afghan imbroglio is resolved this region has issues that would always remain relevant to Washington. In this backdrop, it is encouraging that the two countries remain continuously engaged but there is a need to give greater substance to security and economic cooperation. President Trump’s initial tough position towards Pakistan pushed the bilateral relationship to near rupture but re-engagement is gradually breaking the ice and the process needs to be accelerated.
