IN order to strike a balance in its ties with China and the United States, Pakistan needs to take a realistic view of its relationships with the two countries. Although Pakistan has long-standing relations with the US during which it even signed two defence pacts — the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (Seato) and the Central Treaty Organisation (Cento).

However, these pacts could not stand the test during the 1965 and 1971 wars. The West, especially the US, directly favoured India by putting a ban on the sale and supply of spares of military equipment used by Pakistan, 90 per cent of which were of US origin.

During the Afghan wars, Pakistan’s geographical location acquired huge importance for the implementation and success of US plans, first against the erstwhile Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), and, much later for the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11.

It is a rather long history spanning seven decades during which the US has mistreated Pakistan. Daniel Seth Markey, in his famed book, No Exit From Pakistan, has stated clearly that it has been a declared policy of the US to keep Pakistan under turmoil of one kind or the other.

Yet, policymakers in Pakistan are still struggling to strike a balance in the country’s ties with China and the US. This is disappointing because the decision should have been rather straightforward in view of what the US has been doing all these years.

How long would the policymakers in Pakistan remain under the illusion that the US and the West at large would give priority to relations with Pakistan over India? It is just not going to happen.

Abid Mahmud Ansari
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2025