Recent developments prompted Pakistan’s foreign office to
publicly express its concerns following a meeting between President Trump and
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A major point of contention was Trump’s
offer to sell advanced military technologies, including F-35 jets, to India.
This could have serious implications for Pakistan’s defense capabilities.
The joint communiqué issued after the meeting highlighted
concerns about Pakistan's role in terrorism, calling for Pakistan to
“expeditiously bring to justice” those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks
and the 2016 Pathankot incident. It further emphasized the need to prevent
Pakistani territory from being used for cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, the appointment of S. Paul Kapur, a scholar of
Indian origin known for his hawkish stance on Pakistan, as the US
representative for South and Central Asia is seen as another sign of
Washington’s increasingly critical view of Islamabad. His nomination adds to a
growing list of individuals in the new US administration who are vocal critics
of Pakistan’s policies.
Some vocal Pakistani expatriates in the United States, who
supported Trump during his campaign, have been pushing for a tougher stance on
Islamabad. This situation places the Pakistani government in a difficult
position, it will once again have to prove its strategic value to US
policymakers.
Meanwhile, New Delhi appears to be using its growing
economic influence to deflect international scrutiny over its involvement in
global assassination and terrorism networks, while simultaneously shifting the
blame onto Pakistan.
In light of these challenges, Pakistan must adopt a more
proactive approach in diplomacy, actively establish its credibility and
strengthen its global position. Despite Pakistan’s long-standing engagement in
the global war on terrorism and its ongoing counterterrorism cooperation with
the US, the heavy toll on its people in social and economic terms remains
largely unrecognized and underappreciated.
Moving forward, Pakistan needs to reassess its foreign and
security policies, aligning them more closely with the expectations of its
international allies while safeguarding its national interests.
