Neighbors-first foreign policy: a sketch for the new government of Pakistan
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For over 76 years, Pakistan has neglected its immediate neighborhood in search of security by reaching out to the West to offset its disadvantages vis a vis India. Similarly with Afghanistan, there has been a perennial struggle to have a friendly government in Kabul to face off the Indians. With Iran, the tenure of relations has been less than even. The only solid relations that the country has enjoyed is with its northern neighbor China. The India-centric, West-oriented approach to defining its foreign relations has run its course. The world has changed in multiple manners.
In the past ten years, India has overtaken Pakistan economically. The Modi government has benefitted from its West-oriented foreign policy and has become a major partner of the United States with access to technology and defense-related equipment. The US depends on India for its competition with China and talks of a multigenerational partnership. The Indians have done remarkably well in education and have made inroads in the US by securing positions of importance and influence in the government and private sector. The Indian diaspora is pivotal to sustaining and propelling the India-US partnership.
Pakistan must change its foreign policy paradigm from ‘security’ to ‘economic development’. For a country that is dependent on IMF bailouts, it is suicidal to persist in an approach that would push it beyond the brink. A nuclear weapons state should have the confidence to develop its relations with its immediate and far neighbors in its best interests. Necessary flexibility in formulating a more robust foreign policy that seeks to repair relations with India and other neighbors is a must.
Pakistan must change its foreign policy paradigm from ‘security’ to ‘economic development’. For a country that is dependent on IMF bailouts, it is suicidal to persist in an approach that would push it beyond the brink. A nuclear weapons state should have the confidence to develop its relations with its immediate and far neighbors in its best interests.
- Salman Bashir
Kashmir has been central to Pakistan’s discourse. Yet, a favorable solution to the Kashmir dispute is not possible in the current circumstances. Pakistan should continue to call for a Kashmir solution based on the UN Security Council resolutions and extend its diplomatic support for the Kashmir cause, but this should not impede the process of normalizing ties with India. Kashmir policy and India policy should become two distinct streaks.
To begin with, high commissioners should be re-appointed and trade links restored. The visa liberalization agreement already signed by the two sides should be implemented. The non-discriminatory trade agreement initiated in January 2014 needs to be revived and signed. It had been readied for signatures in Lahore but could not be signed for no good reason. The prisoners’ issue, especially of the fishermen on both sides should be resolved based on the recommendations of the judicial committee. The meetings between the rangers and the border security force and between the maritime security agency and the coast guards should continue. A foreign office dialogue needs to be resumed between the two foreign secretaries. The normalization process should be incremental and over time trust and confidence will be restored to attempt to resolve territorial problems.
A neighbors-first approach would also mean reversing the downward course of relations with Afghanistan. Pakistan should follow a principled approach toward Afghanistan based on respect for the sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs and recognizing the needs of Afghanistan vis a vis trade using Pakistani ports. Pakistan should consider extending the Taliban government diplomatic recognition, as was done to its predecessors. The CPEC Plus vision needs to guide us in extending the infrastructure of railroads and highways toward Afghanistan. The issue of the TTP needs to be resolved through the good auspices of the government in Kabul.
With Iran, fraternal relations need to be further strengthened. The Iran-Pakistan pipeline project needs to be implemented, as soon as possible. The Gwadar and Chabahar ports need to be developed as sister ports. Efforts also need to be made to revive the SAARC process. We also need to extend our neighbors-first policy to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The vision of a prosperous South Asia needs to become center stage in our dealings in the region.
- Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat who served as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and as High Commissioner of Pakistan to India. Twitter: @Salman_B_PK
