PAKISTAN-UNITED STATES STRATEGIC RELATIONS: AN UNDERSTANDING OF FORMATION OF ALLIANCE WITH PAKISTAN IN US PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

After the inception of Pakistan, a newly formed country was facing severe challenges in economic, military and infrastructure sectors. Apart from these challenges India has posed vital threats for its survival. After independence Pakistan opted for the policy of non-alignment which meant Pakistan will not align itself with any power bloc in the world but it will remain active participant in promoting global peace, harmony and cooperation. The domestic bottlenecks and Indian aggressive stances made Pakistan to reconsider its policy from non-alignment to form alliance with a country which can provide support in protecting its sovereignty and boost its economic and social sectors. For this purpose Pakistan joined SEATO and CENTO to gain international support in its technical interventions. She formed alliance with the United States of American to protect each other’s national interests. The main reasons for Pakistan to form alliance with USA were purely based on its fundamental needs in each sector for its survival in domestic and global environment. On the other hand USA policy makers were eying to spot trustworthy ally in this region who can fight their war against Communist school of thought. USA started its containment intervention after the WWII and they found an supportive ally in shape of Pakistan to provide them their desire support and assistance. Throughout the history the global world has witnessed many ups and downs in the relations of the both countries. During the 1965 and 1971 war between both India and Pakistan the relations of the both countries were at its low. When USSR invaded Afghanistan in late 1970’s, it was Pakistan who supported USA in defeating USSR in Afghanistan. It was the support of Pakistan which curtailed the interventionist ideas of USSR in Afghanistan. During these times Pakistan received heavy Aid and other military assistance during this era. Despite the assistance provided by Pakistan USA has always opposed the nuclear generating capacity of Pakistan. She has imposed Pressler amendment on Pakistan which banned military and economic assistance to Pakistan. After the disintegration of USSR, USA abandoned Pakistan. It was the attack on twin towers which brought both countries close together to fight the global war against terrorism in 2001.The regional and international community has witnessed many ups and downs in the relations of Pakistan and USA during WoT. The sovereignty of Pakistan has been disturbed many times, she has lost more than 70,000 precious live and economic, social and political fronts have been badly affected. The realist school of thought has been implemented to dig out th

Keywords:   Strategic Alliance. Cold War. Geopolitics. Military Aid. Counterterrorism