XXI. PAKISTAN’S RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORS EXCLUDING INDIA | P.A | CSS EXAM | CSS PMS TIMES

Pakistan’s Relations with Neighbors (Excluding India)

Pakistan’s strategic location in South Asia and its history of both cooperation and conflict with its neighbors have shaped its foreign policy. While India remains the primary focus due to historical, territorial, and political reasons, Pakistan’s relations with other neighboring countries — Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Central Asian Republics — also play a crucial role in its regional strategy. These relationships are determined by a mix of political, economic, security, and cultural factors. This essay explores Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors excluding India, analyzing both challenges and opportunities in these ties.

1. Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Historical Context

Pakistan shares a long border with Afghanistan — the Durand Line — which has been a point of contention since its demarcation in 1893 during the British colonial period. Afghanistan was the only country to object to the creation of Pakistan in 1947, and this historical animosity has often shaped the relationship. Over the years, relations have been marked by periods of cooperation and tension, mainly due to border disputes, the Pashtun issue, and the influence of external powers in the region.

Political and Security Issues

One of the primary concerns in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations has been the issue of terrorism and militancy. Afghanistan has been a battleground for various conflicts, notably the Soviet invasion in the 1980s and the U.S.-led intervention after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Pakistan has often been accused of harboring and supporting the Taliban, an accusation Pakistan denies. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in recent years has further complicated the situation, as Pakistan’s concerns about a spillover of instability, militant activities, and refugees into its own tribal regions are high.

Additionally, the Durand Line continues to be a contentious issue, with Afghanistan’s refusal to officially recognize it as an international border. This has led to frequent clashes and tensions along the border, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Economic Relations

Despite political challenges, trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain significant. Afghanistan relies heavily on Pakistan for access to global markets through the port of Karachi. Pakistan has provided Afghanistan with trade facilitation agreements, and both countries have expressed a desire to improve regional trade through platforms such as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). However, instability and border closures often hamper full economic potential.

Cooperation and Future Prospects

Pakistan has played a crucial role in peace talks and diplomacy regarding Afghanistan, especially with the Taliban’s return to power. Both countries have shared interests in combating terrorism, controlling drug trafficking, and addressing economic issues. Pakistan can serve as a vital partner for Afghanistan in terms of regional trade and connectivity. However, the complex security situation, cross-border insurgencies, and political instability in Afghanistan will continue to be major challenges in the bilateral relationship.

2. Pakistan-China Relations

Historical Overview

Pakistan and China share a robust and multifaceted relationship that spans decades. Since the 1950s, both nations have maintained strong diplomatic, political, and economic ties, primarily driven by mutual interests in countering regional and global challenges, such as India’s growing influence and the U.S.’s strategic footprint in Asia. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the hallmark of their bilateral relationship.

Strategic and Military Cooperation

The strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is based on their shared interest in balancing India’s influence in the region. China has been a steadfast ally for Pakistan in international forums, providing support on Kashmir and issues related to India. Moreover, China has been a key supplier of military hardware to Pakistan, enhancing Pakistan’s defense capabilities, especially in the context of its rivalry with India.

One of the major aspects of the bilateral relationship is the development of military and strategic ties, which include joint military exercises and intelligence-sharing. The two countries have also worked together on counterterrorism and regional security issues, particularly in the context of Afghanistan.

Economic and Infrastructure Cooperation

The most prominent feature of China-Pakistan relations in recent years has been the launch of the CPEC, a vast infrastructure project worth over $60 billion. This initiative seeks to connect Gwadar port in Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang region via roads, railways, and pipelines. The project aims to enhance trade, improve infrastructure, and boost economic development in both countries.

CPEC has been hailed as a game-changer for Pakistan, offering new opportunities for growth and development, particularly in the less-developed Balochistan province. However, it also faces challenges, including security concerns in Balochistan, the need for sustainable financing, and the possible long-term economic dependence of Pakistan on China.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite strong ties, Pakistan’s increasing dependence on China, both economically and strategically, raises concerns over sovereignty and autonomy in foreign policy. Additionally, the perceived debt burden associated with CPEC loans has led to debates within Pakistan about the long-term consequences of this partnership. Nevertheless, China remains a crucial partner for Pakistan in terms of economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional stability.

3. Pakistan-Iran Relations

Historical Relations

Pakistan and Iran share deep historical, cultural, and religious ties, with both countries being predominantly Muslim (Shiite-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Pakistan). The two countries also share a long border of over 900 kilometers, which makes their relationship important from a security and economic standpoint. Relations between the two have seen both periods of warmth and tension, influenced by factors such as the geopolitics of the region, the Sunni-Shia divide, and regional security concerns.

Political Relations

Politically, the relationship between Pakistan and Iran has been complex, with cooperation in some areas but differences in others. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 and its aftermath, including Iran’s hostility towards the U.S. and its support for militant groups in the region, created a divergence between Pakistan and Iran’s foreign policies, especially as Pakistan aligned more closely with the U.S. in the 1980s.

However, recent years have seen a thawing of relations. Pakistan and Iran share concerns about security in Afghanistan, and both countries have worked together to address cross-border terrorism from groups like Baloch separatists and militant organizations operating in the region.

Economic Cooperation

Pakistan and Iran have potential for robust economic cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, energy, and infrastructure. Iran’s vast natural gas reserves have been of particular interest to Pakistan, which has faced energy shortages for years. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, which aims to supply natural gas from Iran to Pakistan, is a project that has faced delays, largely due to international sanctions on Iran and security concerns.

Additionally, both countries have explored cooperation in regional trade, particularly through the Chabahar port in Iran, which offers an alternative route to the Arabian Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Challenges

The key challenges in Pakistan-Iran relations include tensions related to border security, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militants along the porous border. The sanctions on Iran and the influence of Saudi Arabia, with which Pakistan has a strong strategic relationship, have also complicated Pakistan’s ability to fully engage with Iran. However, both nations continue to emphasize the importance of bilateral cooperation, particularly in regional peace and security.

4. Pakistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs)

Geopolitical Context

Pakistan’s relations with Central Asia are influenced by its geographical location and the importance of energy and trade routes. Central Asia is rich in natural resources, particularly energy resources such as oil and natural gas, and is a strategically important region in the context of global politics, especially with the presence of Russia and China in the area.

Economic and Trade Relations

Pakistan’s economic ties with the CARs have historically been underdeveloped, primarily due to Pakistan’s limited access to Central Asia via land routes, given the lack of direct land borders with the region. However, in recent years, Pakistan has made efforts to enhance trade relations with the CARs through initiatives like the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline and the development of transport infrastructure connecting Pakistan to Central Asia via Afghanistan.

Security and Regional Cooperation

In terms of security, Pakistan and the CARs share concerns about terrorism, extremism, and instability in Afghanistan. The presence of Islamist insurgencies in the region has created common ground for cooperation on intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan has sought to engage with CARs to improve regional stability and strengthen its geopolitical position in the context of the changing dynamics in Afghanistan.

Future Prospects

For Pakistan, strengthening relations with Central Asia offers significant benefits, particularly in terms of energy security, trade, and regional cooperation. However, these ties face obstacles, including security concerns, logistical challenges, and competition from Russia and China, which have established strong ties with the CARs.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors, excluding India, are shaped by a mix of historical, political, security, and economic factors. The relationships with Afghanistan, China, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics are crucial for Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional stability. While challenges such as border disputes, terrorism, and regional rivalries persist, opportunities for enhanced cooperation, particularly in trade, energy, and security, offer the potential for a more stable and prosperous region. Pakistan must navigate these complexities carefully to strengthen its ties with these countries and ensure its national interests are safeguarded.