Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Towards the United States
Overview
Pakistan’s foreign policy towards the United States has been shaped by changing geopolitical realities,
security considerations, economic interests, and domestic priorities. Since independence, Pakistan has
consistently sought close ties with the U.S., prioritizing security cooperation, military aid, and economic
assistance, but the relationship has experienced repeated cycles of engagement and estrangement,
influenced by shifts in global politics and regional developments.
Guiding Principles
• Friendliness and Goodwill: Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, articulated a
policy of international friendship without aggressive designs, reflecting an intent for peaceful
collaboration3.
• National Security and Development: Security, economic development, and strategic
partnerships are core goals, especially given Pakistan’s geopolitical location25.
• Collaboration with the U.S.: Historically, Pakistan aligned with the U.S. as a strategic partner in
regional security structures, anti-Soviet operations during the Cold War, combating terrorism
post-9/11, and economic projects.
• Policy of Pragmatism: Cooperation is often transactional, based on converging interests such as
counterterrorism, Afghanistan, and economic support, but diverges when interests conflict
(nuclear program, relations with India, etc.)2564.
Chronological Events: Pakistan-U.S. Relations (1947–2025)
1947–1950: Establishment and Early Diplomatic Ties
• August 15, 1947: The U.S. recognizes Pakistan’s independence, quickly establishing diplomatic
relations and an embassy in Karachi78.
• 1947–1950: Initial phase marked by diplomatic exchanges; Pakistan seeks U.S. support for
economic and military development43.
1950–1960: Strategic Alliance and Military Pacts
• 1950: Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan’s official visit to the U.S., declining an invitation from the
Soviet Union, signaling pro-Western alignment184.
• 1954: U.S. and Pakistan sign a Mutual Defense Agreement; U.S. begins military and economic
aid—almost $508 million in military aid between 1953–196198.
• 1955: Pakistan joins SEATO and CENTO, two U.S.-sponsored security alliances98.
1960–1971: Cold War Maneuvers and Growing Tensions
• 1960: Pakistan allows U.S. U-2 spy planes to operate from Peshawar, supporting U.S.
reconnaissance of the USSR9.
• 1962: U.S. provides military and economic aid to India during the Sino-Indian war, straining US-
Pakistan relations810.
• 1971: U.S. taps Pakistan as a back-channel to China (Kissinger’s secret visit, Nixon’s visit in 1972);
U.S. supports Pakistan diplomatically during the Indo-Pakistan War, but military aid is
suspended. East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh984.
1972–1979: Limited Engagement and Nuclear Tensions
• 1970s: Relations cool; U.S. suspicious of Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions post-India’s 1974 nuclear
test. U.S. aid to Pakistan resumes in 1975 but remains limited94.
• 1977: Military coup by General Zia-ul-Haq; relations with the U.S. remain cautious9.
1979–1989: Afghan Jihad and Cold War Partnership
• 1979: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. U.S.-Pakistan alliance intensifies, with the U.S. pouring
billions in military and economic aid for the Afghan mujahideen via Pakistan24.
• 1985: Pressler Amendment links aid to nuclear non-proliferation; by 1988, U.S. begins to scale
back assistance4.
1990–1999: Sanctions, Nuclear Proliferation, and Estrangement
• 1990: U.S. cuts off most aid under the Pressler Amendment, suspecting nuclear weapons
development4.
• 1998: Pakistan’s nuclear tests after India’s prompt U.S. sanctions and diplomatic chill4.
2001–2011: War on Terror and Strategic Cooperation
• 2001: After 9/11 attacks, Pakistan becomes a frontline ally in the U.S.-led War on Terror in
Afghanistan. Massive U.S. military and economic assistance resumes542.
• 2008: Pakistan receives “major non-NATO ally” status, deepening military cooperation2.
2011–2021: Tensions and Shifting Priorities
• 2011: U.S. raid in Abbottabad kills Osama bin Laden, severely straining relations amid suspicions
about mutual trust and intelligence sharing4.
• 2018–2021: U.S. publicly reduces security aid citing insufficient efforts against terrorism; shift of
U.S. focus to India as a regional partner, especially in the context of China546.
2022–2025: Pragmatism and Redefined Engagement
• 2021: U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s regional role shifts, with U.S. recalibrating its
priorities towards broader engagement with India and addressing competition with China62.
• 2022–2025: Engagement continues on issues like counterterrorism, economic stability, and
climate, though the relationship is less security-centric and more pragmatic112.
Timeline of Key Events: 1947–2025
Year Event
1947 U.S. recognizes Pakistan; diplomatic relations established.
1950 PM Liaquat Ali Khan’s state visit to the U.S..
1954 Mutual Defense Agreement signed; start of major U.S. military aid.
1955 Pakistan joins SEATO and CENTO.
1960 U.S. U-2 flights from Peshawar; deep Cold War alliance.
1962 U.S. military aid to India during Sino-Indian War strains ties.
Secret diplomacy opens U.S.-China ties via Pakistan; Indo-Pakistan War; U.S. suspends
1971
military aid.
1974 India’s nuclear test; U.S. wary of Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions.
1977 Zia-ul-Haq’s coup.
1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan; U.S. allies with Pakistan for Mujahideen support.
1985 Pressler Amendment passed, linking aid to nuclear policy.
1988–
U.S. cuts off most aid due to nuclear concerns.
1990
1998 Pakistan’s nuclear tests; U.S. imposes sanctions.
2001 Post-9/11: Pakistan becomes key U.S. ally in War on Terror.
2008 Becomes “major non-NATO ally”.
2011 Osama bin Laden killed in Abbottabad; sharp diplomatic crisis.
Year Event
2018 Further U.S. aid cuts; strategic shift towards India.
2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan; re-evaluating ties.
2022–
Engagement on economic and regional security continues with a pragmatic approach.
2025
Summary:
Pakistan–U.S. relations have been marked by alternating phases of close cooperation and strain, driven
primarily by security alignments, economic needs, nuclear issues, and global strategic shifts. While the
U.S. has provided significant economic and military support at various points, disagreements over
nuclear policy, Afghanistan, regional rivalries, and shifting U.S. global interests have caused periodic
rifts. Recent years have seen a move towards pragmatic engagement, with focus on trade, regional
stability, and cooperation beyond just security.
