Pakistan and changing Regional Apparatus

Introduction

Pakistan is a country that is strategically located in a region that is undergoing

significant changes due to various factors, such as the US withdrawal from
Afghanistan, the rise of China, the rivalry with India, and the emergence of
new regional platforms. These changes pose both challenges and opportunities
for Pakistan’s foreign policy and national security. In this essay, I will discuss
the main aspects of the changing regional apparatus around Pakistan, and how
Pakistan is responding to them.

The US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

One of the most important developments in the region is the US withdrawal

from Afghanistan, which is expected to be completed by September 2021 1.
The US has been involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it invaded the
country to overthrow the Taliban regime and eliminate the al-Qaeda network.
Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in the war on terror, providing
logistical, intelligence, and military support. However, the US-Pakistan
relationship has also been marred by mistrust, accusations, and divergences
over the Afghan peace process2.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has significant implications for Pakistan,

as it creates a power vacuum and uncertainty in the country. Pakistan has a
long and porous border with Afghanistan, and shares ethnic, religious, and
cultural ties with the Afghan people. Pakistan also has a vital interest in
ensuring a stable and friendly government in Kabul, as it fears the spillover of
violence, extremism, and refugees from Afghanistan. Pakistan also wants to
prevent the influence of its rival India in Afghanistan, which it perceives as a
threat to its security and territorial integrity 3.

Pakistan has been actively involved in facilitating the intra-Afghan dialogue,

which aims to bring a political settlement between the Afghan government and
the Taliban. Pakistan has also been engaging with other regional and
international stakeholders, such as China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the US,
to coordinate efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan hopes
that the US withdrawal will pave the way for a peaceful and inclusive
transition in Afghanistan, which will enhance regional cooperation and
connectivity4.

The Rise of China

Another major factor that is shaping the regional apparatus around Pakistan is
the rise of China as a global superpower. China has emerged as Pakistan’s
closest and most reliable partner, with the two countries sharing a deep and
comprehensive strategic partnership. China has been supporting Pakistan’s
economic development, security, and diplomacy, and has been investing heavily
in infrastructure projects in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The flagship project of the BRI is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), which aims to connect China’s western region with Pakistan’s southern
port of Gwadar, and enhance trade, energy, and connectivity in the region.

The rise of China has positive implications for Pakistan, as it provides an

alternative source of economic and strategic support, and balances the
influence of the US and India in the region. China has also been backing
Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue, and has been opposing India’s
unilateral actions in the disputed territory. China has also been cooperating
with Pakistan on regional and international issues, such as Afghanistan,
counter-terrorism, climate change, and multilateral forums.

However, the rise of China also poses some challenges for Pakistan, as it
requires Pakistan to manage its relations with other powers, such as the US,
Russia, and Iran, who have their own interests and concerns regarding China’s
role in the region. Pakistan also has to deal with the security and political
risks associated with the CPEC, such as the threats from militant groups, the
opposition from India, and the grievances of the local communities. Pakistan
also has to ensure that the CPEC is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable,
and that it benefits the people of Pakistan and the region.

The Rivalry with India

The third aspect of the changing regional apparatus around Pakistan is the
rivalry with India, which is the oldest and most enduring conflict in the region.
Pakistan and India have fought four wars since their independence in 1947,
and have been engaged in a nuclear arms race since the 1990s. The main bone
of contention between the two countries is the disputed territory of Kashmir,
which both claim as their integral part. The Kashmir issue has been the source
of frequent tensions, violence, and human rights violations in the region, and
has been a major obstacle to regional cooperation and integration.

The rivalry with India has negative implications for Pakistan, as it consumes a
large amount of its resources, energy, and attention, and limits its options and
opportunities in the region and beyond. The rivalry also exposes Pakistan to
various security threats, such as cross-border terrorism, cyber-attacks, and
water disputes. The rivalry also undermines the prospects of peace and
development in the region, which is home to a large population of poor and
marginalized people.

Pakistan has been trying to resolve the Kashmir issue and improve its relations
with India through dialogue and diplomacy, but has faced several challenges
and setbacks. The most recent setback was the abrogation of Article 370 by
India in August 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and
Kashmir, and bifurcated it into two union territories. Pakistan strongly
condemned and rejected this move, and launched a diplomatic offensive to
highlight the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Kashmir by
India. Pakistan also sought the intervention of the international community,
especially the UN, to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN
resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

However, Pakistan has also shown some flexibility and pragmatism in dealing
with India, as it realizes the need for dialogue and cooperation to address the
common challenges and opportunities in the region. Pakistan has welcomed the
recent ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC), which was
announced in February 2021, and has expressed its readiness to engage with
India on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir. Pakistan has also
participated in some regional initiatives, such as the SAARC COVID-19
emergency fund, and the SCO summit, where it interacted with India.
Pakistan hopes that these steps will create a conducive environment for
meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with India.
The Emergence of New Regional Platforms

The fourth aspect of the changing regional apparatus around Pakistan is the
emergence of new regional platforms, which offer new avenues and
opportunities for cooperation and integration in the region. These platforms
include the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG),
and the Istanbul Process. These platforms involve various countries in the
region, such as China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Central Asian
states, and cover various domains, such as security, economy, culture, and
connectivity.

The emergence of new regional platforms has positive implications for

Pakistan, as it provides Pakistan with more options and leverage in the region,
and enhances its regional and global profile. Pakistan has been actively
participating in these platforms, and has been contributing to their objectives
and activities. Pakistan has also been using these platforms to promote its
interests and perspectives on regional and international issues, such as
Afghanistan, Kashmir, counter-terrorism, and connectivity. Pakistan has also
been seeking to expand and diversify its relations with other regional
countries, such as Iran, Turkey, and Central Asian states, and explore new
areas of cooperation and collaboration.

However, the emergence of new regional platforms also poses some challenges
for Pakistan, as it requires Pakistan to balance its relations with different
actors and interests in the region, and to deal with the complexities and
contradictions that may arise from the overlapping and competing agendas of
these platforms. Pakistan also has to ensure that these platforms are
effective and efficient, and that they do not undermine or replace the
existing regional mechanisms, such as the SAARC, which is the oldest and
most comprehensive regional organization in South Asia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the regional apparatus around Pakistan is changing rapidly and

significantly, due to various factors, such as the US withdrawal from
Afghanistan, the rise of China, the rivalry with India, and the emergence of
new regional platforms. These changes have both positive and negative
implications for Pakistan’s foreign policy and national

Pakistan and Changing Regional Apparatus

Pakistan is a country that has been facing various challenges and opportunities
in the changing regional and global scenario. Pakistan’s relations with its
neighbors, especially India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, have been
influenced by various factors such as security, economic, political, and cultural
issues. In this essay, I will discuss how Pakistan has been adapting to the
changing regional apparatus and what are the implications for its future.
Pakistan-India Relations

Pakistan and India have a long history of rivalry and conflict, mainly due to
the unresolved Kashmir dispute, which has been the main cause of three wars
and several crises between the two countries. Pakistan and India have also
been engaged in a nuclear arms race, which has increased the risk of a
catastrophic war in the region. However, there have been some positive
developments in recent years, such as the resumption of the dialogue process,
the opening of trade and transit routes, and the exchange of cultural and
sports delegations. These steps have helped to reduce the tensions and build
confidence between the two sides. However, there are still many obstacles
and challenges that hinder the normalization of relations, such as cross-border
terrorism, the human rights violations in Kashmir, water disputes, and the role
of third parties. Pakistan and India need to adopt a pragmatic and cooperative
approach to resolve their outstanding issues and to promote peace and stability
in the region.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long and porous border, which has been a
source of both cooperation and conflict between the two countries. Pakistan
has been playing a vital role in the reconstruction and stabilization of
Afghanistan, as well as in the fight against terrorism and extremism. Pakistan
has also been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for decades, which has been
a huge humanitarian and economic burden for the country. However, Pakistan
and Afghanistan have also been facing many problems and mistrust in their
relations, such as the border management, the cross-border militancy, the
interference of external actors, and the divergent views on the peace process.
Pakistan and Afghanistan need to enhance their bilateral cooperation and
coordination to address their common challenges and to achieve a lasting peace
and stability in the region.
Pakistan-China Relations

Pakistan and China have a strong and strategic partnership, which is based on
mutual trust, respect, and support. Pakistan and China have been cooperating
in various fields, such as defense, trade, energy, infrastructure, and
education. The most prominent example of their cooperation is the China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a flagship project of the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI). CPEC is a network of roads, railways, pipelines, and
power plants, which aims to connect China’s western region with Pakistan’s
southern port of Gwadar. CPEC is expected to bring huge economic and social
benefits for both countries, as well as for the region. However, CPEC also
faces some challenges and risks, such as the security threats, the
environmental impacts, the debt sustainability, and the transparency and
accountability issues. Pakistan and China need to work together to overcome
these challenges and to ensure the successful implementation and completion of
CPEC .
Pakistan-Iran Relations

Pakistan and Iran have a long and historical relationship, which is based on
common cultural, religious, and linguistic ties. Pakistan and Iran have also been
cooperating in various areas, such as trade, energy, security, and regional
issues. However, Pakistan and Iran have also been experiencing some
difficulties and strains in their relations, such as the sectarian violence, the
border incidents, the sanctions regime, and the divergent interests in the
regional affairs. Pakistan and Iran need to maintain a balanced and
constructive relationship, which can serve their mutual interests and can
contribute to the regional peace and stability .
Conclusion

Pakistan is a country that has been facing a complex and dynamic regional
environment, which has posed many challenges and opportunities for its foreign
policy. Pakistan has been trying to adjust and adapt to the changing regional
apparatus, by maintaining and improving its relations with its neighbors and
other regional actors. Pakistan’s relations with India, Afghanistan, China, and
Iran have been influenced by various factors and issues, which have had both
positive and negative impacts on the bilateral and regional cooperation and
stability. Pakistan needs to pursue a proactive and pragmatic foreign policy,
which can protect its national interests and sovereignty, as well as promote its
regional and global role and image.
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