Indo-US Strategic Partnership: Implications for Pakistan

Abstract

In the scheme of American grand strategy for the ‘new world order’, India has emerged as the most powerful regional ally. The emerging “strategic partnership” between the US and India is based on a shared view for democracy and concerns about the threat of global terrorism as well as mutual unease considering the long-term implications of the rise of China in Asia and beyond. US and India have complementary economic and strategic security interests as the former desires to maintain her economic and military supremacy in the world. India on her part wants to develop security ties with America to facilitate her becoming dominant regional and global power in the foreseeable future. Shared perception about ‘terrorism’ has further cemented their relations where India promptly endorses US stance on “War on Terrorism” with a hope to turn US interests to its advantage by labeling freedom struggle in Kashmir as Pakistan sponsored insurgency. Reflections of converging interests include: US-India Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) initiative, signing of 123 Nuclear Agreement, missile defense, and ten-year defense framework agreement that calls for expanding bilateral security cooperation. Pakistan cannot afford to remain oblivious to these developments due to their security implications. Enhanced capacity building of Indian armed forces and nuclear collaborations may undermine the deterrent value of Pakistan's conventional and nuclear weapons. A combination of pragmatic foreign policy backed with credible conventional and nuclear deterrence could serve desired national security interests. While remaining strategically relevant to US, Islamabad will have to continue to cultivate good relationship with Beijing. On internal front, Pakistan must revive her economy and achieve more national cohesion so as to offset the negative effects of Indo-US strategic convergence.