Geostrategic Location of Pakistan

 Geostrategic can be understood through two concepts:

o Geoeconomic pertains to the economic linkages and trade opportunities through
geographic location.
o Geopolitical pertains to the political changes.
 Geostrategic further adds the security and sovereignty concerns of the country due to the
geography.
 Pakistan’s geostrategic location is one of the most significant around the world.
 Why important for Pakistan?

Factors for Foreign Policy Making

 Geography
 Religion
 Economy
 Security and Sovereignty
 Alliances
 International Agreements
 Domestic Politics

Afghan Relations

 The issues of Durand Line and border fencing.

 Drug trafficking route
 Political reconciliation and Role of Pakistan in the Afghan deal.
 Role of India in Afghanistan (Heart Dam, Afghan Parliament, Air corridor).
 Issue of Indian involvement through Chahbahar Corridor.
 Anti-Pakistan sentiments and political forces in Afghanistan.
 Role of Taliban in Afghanistan.
 APTTA (Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement) and the economic integration with
Afghanistan.
 Access to Central Asia (CARs)
 Role in SAARC, OIC and Heart of Asia Conference.
 Opportunity for trade.

With every country’s relationship, the economic, social, political and strategic (military) aspects
should be considered.

Iran Relations

 Religious factors and the Shia community relations.

  Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and economic linkages.
 ECO, OIC and UN.
 Post JCPOA opportunity for trade.
 US and Saudi factors in reconciliation – Pakistan needs to balance between Saudi, Iran.
 Social linkages for employment and religious tourism.

India Relations

 Kashmir Issue and geographic issues.

 Water Issues
 Espionage (Kulbhushan Jadav).
 Lack of economic linkages (SAFTA, SAPTA futile).
 Indian opposition in UN, SCO, ECO, Heart of Asia Conference, FATF.
 Issue of NSG and NPT, nuclear conflict.
 Cross-border firing and aggression.
 Nationalistic policies and anti-Pakistan rhetoric.
 Issues of soft linkage, dramatics. - Kartarpur Corridor, Movies
 Indian Nationalistic and Military Doctrines
o Triad Policy
o Cold Start Doctrine
o Ballistic Missile Development
o Nuclear Proliferation
o Cross border firing and aggression
 Pak-India Border Issues
o Kashmir
o Siachen
o Sir Creek

China and Pakistan

 All weather friendship.

 Role in UNSC, SCO and international organizations.
 CPEC and economic development financing
 Linkage in anti-terrorism operations ETIM and within Pakistan.
 Access to CARs and the regional powers.
 Military trade and development.
 Social linkages: Language, Employments, Students.