A country's foreign policy,
also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies
chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals
within international relations milieu.
ORIGIN
Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, described human as a social animal.
Therefore, friendships and relations have existed between humans since the
beginning of human creation. As the organization developed in human affairs,
relations between people also organized. Foreign policy thus goes back to
primitive times. The inception in human affairs of foreign relations and the
need for foreign policy to deal with them is as old as the organization of human
life in groups. The literature from ancient times, the Bible, the Homeric poems,
the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides, and many others show an accumulation
of experience in dealing with foreigners. The ancient writings (Chinese &
Indian) give much evidence of thought concerned with the management of relations
between peoples.
PROCESS OF MAKING FOREIGN POLICY
The making of foreign policy involves a number of stages:
* Assessment of the international and domestic political environment - Foreign
policy is made and implemented within an international and domestic political
context, which must be understood by a state in order to determine the best
foreign policy option. For example, a state may need to have full information
and respond to an international crisis.
* Goal setting - A state has multiple foreign policy goals. A state must
determine which goal is affected by the international and domestic political
environment at any given time. In addition, foreign policy goals may conflict,
which will require the state to prioritize.
* Determination of policy options - A state must then determine what policy
options are available to meet the goal or goals set in light of the political
environment. This will involve an assessment of the state's capacity to
implement policy options and an assessment of the consequences of each policy
option.
* Formal decision making action - A formal foreign policy decision will be taken
at some level within a government. Foreign policy decisions are usually made by
the executive branch of government.
* Implementation of chosen policy option - Once a foreign policy option has been
chosen, and a formal decision has been made, then the policy must be
implemented.
ACTORS & FACTORS
There are some actors and factors which are involved in making and implementing
the foreign policy and they can be listed as follow:
Actors
* Army * head of state (such as a president) * head of government (such as a
prime minister) * cabinet * ministers
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs or State Department.
* Departments such as trade aid and defense.
Factors
* religion
* Ethnicity
* Personality
* Culture
* Ideology
* History
* geographical location
* aspiration of people.
PAKISTAN: FOREIGN POLICY
Pakistan is no doubt a strategically located country at the mouth of the most
frequented trade and oil route of Persian Gulf and opening to the Indian Ocean,
surrounded by some of the front line and most talked about countries like China
in the north, India in the east, Iran and Afghanistan in west and north-west.
The sea and land component thus add to the importance of Pakistan not only in
the region, but in international relations and trade as well. Since its
independence, however, its relations with its neighbors, especially India on the
core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has brought Pakistan and India to war a number
of times, while relations with Afghanistan always remain sore, because of
Russian and Indian influence on Afghan foreign policy. Iran, though a Muslim
country, also has lukewarm relations with Pakistan. This leaves China to be the
only trusted ally of Pakistan in the region since its independence because
Pakistan was the first country to recognize china as an independent country on
its emergence in 1949.
Pakistan has a fierce independent foreign policy, especially when it comes to
issues such as development of nuclear weapons, foreign military purchases and
other issues that are vital to its national interests.
Pakistan is an important member of the * Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
* major non-NATO ally of the war against terrorism
* SAARC
* SCN
* UN
The essences of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy are:-
* Develop friendly relations with all countries particularly the Muslim world,
major powers and immediate neighbors;
* Safeguard vital security and geo-strategic interests of Pakistan ;
* Resolve the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions
of the UN Security Council and wishes of the Kashmiri people;
* Promote the image of Pakistan as a strong, dynamic, progressive, moderate and
democratic Islamic country;
* Augment economic and commercial interests abroad; and
* Protect the interests of Pakistan’s expatriate community abroad.
FOREIGN POLICY OF PAKISTAN FROM HISTORY TILL PRESENT
The course of Pakistan foreign policy has been complex, and has passed through
several stages during its development. In the early years it generally adhered
to a neutralist course. Then however, it departed from this course, concluded
military agreements with the United States, entered into blocs (SEATO and the
Baghdad pact). In this period Pakistan developed its foreign policy and foreign
economic ties, mainly with the western powers. Subsequently, at the turn of the
1960s Pakistan’s foreign policy strategy began to be reviewed. Courses directed
toward strengthening its independence, renouncing the one sided orientation
toward the western powers, and extending cooperation with the socialist states
and the afro Asian countries began to gather momentum in its foreign policy.
Such periodization in the development of Pakistan’s foreign policy, with certain
deviations, is wide spread and acknowledged.
PHASES OF PAKISTAN FOREIGN POLICY
1947-53: Exploration and Friendship with All (non-aligned phase)
Pakistan was formed under inauspicious circumstances. We gained independence not
only from the British but also from the Indians who were aiming to rule us and
take
revenge of our centuries of rule over them. So our foreign policy started from
the non-aligned phase in which we started like a new born state to initiate
relations and search for friendship.
When Pakistan was formed there was a cold war going all over the world between
the 2 blocks and everywhere there was only 1 question:
WHICH BLOC TO JOIN: CAPITALIST OR COMMUNIST?
But this was not the major question for Pakistan rather it was how to secure
itself from India and how to develop good relations with other nations?
Pakistan faced many problems in making relations with India because they were
even not recognizing Pakistan as an independent state and some of the Indian
leaders were also giving statements regarding the reunification of Pakistan and
India. In addition to this there were also other problems due to the Redcliff
award like:
* Division of funds and assets
* Division of land and the problems regarding the princely states of Junagarh,
Kashmir, Hyderabad and Gurdaspur.
* River water dispute
A Kashmir war also started (1947-1948) against this division.
Then the second threat was from our other neighbor named as Afghanistan which
firstly did not recognized us as an independent state and secondly refused to
accept Pakistan’s sovereignty over NWFP and Baluchistan and demanded for the
right of self-determination for pathans and an independent state comprising of
NWFP and Baluchistan. India and Russia supported Afghanistan and this
pressurized Pakistan.
Pakistan also thought of re-establishing its army which it inherited from
British. Pakistan had the best relations with British and for this the bought
equipment and also sent their army for training to British and commonwealth.
Pakistan’s relation with US started initially since 1948 at ambassadorial level
but with Russia it could not maintain good relations which started from the
refusal of Liaqat Ali khan to visit Russia. But its relations with china started
from the very basic level since the independence of china as Pakistan was the
first to recognize china independent.
Pakistan’s relations with Muslim countries and its effort to unify Muslims on
international platform was very disappointing as Afghanistan was not recognizing
Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt were showing reservations but Iran turkey and
Saudi Arabia showed a positive attitude.
1953-62: Alignment with the West (aligned phase)
The second phase of Pakistan's foreign policy was characterized by a transition
from an independent foreign policy to a multifaceted alignment with the West.
Pakistan entered into a number of security arrangements with the United States
and obtained economic and military assistance from that source which entangled
Pakistan in the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Pakistan was having security threats from India and Afghanistan so it
accelerated its search for allies. Due to this search and threat it lead
Pakistan to sign mutual defense assistance agreement with US according to which
US provided military equipment, training facilities and other related services
to enable Pakistan to maintain “its international security and in the same year
1954 it joined SEATO or manila pact to develop capacity “to resist attack and
counter subversive activities” and promote cooperation for economic progress and
social well-being.
In 1955 Pakistan signed Baghdad pact or CENTO which was an agreement to
cooperate with each other in the field of defense and security.
In 1959 Pakistan signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with US for defense
and economic assistance. . Pakistan received grant assistance valued at US $ 650
million, and credit facilities worth US $ 55 million. The military assistance
included arms and ammunition, artillery pieces, APCs, and transport for the
Army; aircraft F-104, B-57, F-86, and C-130 for the Air Force; naval defense
equipment, including warships; radar and communication equipment. The U.S.
Military Assistance Advisory Group (USMAAG) was set up in Pakistan to advise and
guide the modernization of the armed forces and the security arrangements.
But this alignment was not cost-free rather it increased its threat from Russia
when Russia increased its support with India considering Kashmir an integral
part of India and with Afghanistan for pathans.
1962-71: Transition
In Ayub khan era Ayub demanded relation with US on the basis of equality without
slavery because India neglecting India’s threat for Pakistan provided military
equipment to India.
Due to this disappointment in US policy Pakistan started to build relations with
Soviet Union and signed for the first time agreement offering technical
assistance for oil exploration and cultural exchanges in Pakistan. This
continued from 1965 to 1970. After this soviet union showed neutrality in India
Pakistan relations for which Tashkent
agreement was also signed between India and Pakistan on the invitation of soviet
prime minister.
Pakistan also improved its relations with china by signing many agreements.
Viewing this US was very disappointed and asked Pakistan to stop but Pakistan
did not listen to US voice.
With India Indus water treaty was signed but meanwhile in 1971 East Pakistan
crisis started and India played a negative role in it.
1972-79: Bilateralism and Nonalignment
Pakistan withdrew from the Commonwealth and the SEATO in January and November
1972 respectively. It may be pointed out here that Pakistan returned to the
Commonwealth in September 1989. Pakistan recognized the Democratic Republic of
Korea (North Korea), Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and East
Germany in November 1972.
To normalize the non-cooperative indo-pak relations Simla agreement was signed
in 1971.
Pakistan also recognized East Pakistan as independent which formed as
Bangladesh.
Pakistan started to strengthen its relations with the major power like china and
Soviet Union.
But the relations with US went to the lowest point ever when US stopped the aid
and the path towards nuclear technology for which the students burnt the US
embassy in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s relations with the Muslim countries especially with Middle East began
to strengthen.
1980-90: Afghanistan and Partnership with the United States
Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan began to progress when Pakistan supported
Afghanistan and asked Soviet Union to call back their troops from Afghanistan as
Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan because Afghanistan was a Muslim country as
well as the neighbor and at that time many afghan mujahedeen and refugees
migrated to Pakistan which are now known as al-Qaeda or terrorists.
With the Afghanistan war there was a change in US policy which shifted from
lower to close political, economic and security ties.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the U.S. Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) worked together in passing on weapons, military training and
financial support to Afghan resistance groups. They encouraged the volunteers
from the Arab states to join the Afghan resistance in its struggle against the
Soviet troops based in Afghanistan.
The barter trade through the Karakoram Highway expanded and China assisted
Pakistan in agriculture, nuclear technology, power generation and heavy
industry, especially the defense-related industry.
Pakistan maintained cordial relations with the Muslim states which extended
support at the bilateral level and through the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) to Pakistan on the Afghanistan issue. Some of the Muslim
countries donated cash and goods for helping the Afghan refugees living in
Pakistan. New agreements for expansion of trade, promotion of economic and
technological cooperation, and establishment of joint economic commissions were
signed with several Islamic countries.
A major problem faced by Pakistan in its relations with the Muslim world was
that it got identified with conservative, monarchical and pro-U.S. regimes in
the Middle East and its relations cooled off with radical and nationalist states
like Libya, Syria and Iraq.
In 1988 Geneva accords was signed between Pakistan, Afghanistan, US and Soviet
Union for the peaceful resolution of Afghanistan problem.
Meanwhile US left Pakistan alone to solve the afghan conflict and even refused
to certify that Pakistan did not possess a nuclear explosive device.
This discontinued economic assistance and military sales to Pakistan with the
exception of the economic assistance on way to Pakistan. Military sales and
training programme were abruptly disrupted and some of the Pakistani military
officers under training in the U.S. were asked to return home.
1990-2001: Post Cold War Era and Pakistan's Dilemmas
Four major issues dominated Pakistan's foreign policy in the 1990s.
* a drift in Pakistan-U.S. relations
* the Afghanistan problem
* the Kashmir insurgency and its impact on Indo-Pakistan relations
* the nuclear explosions
There was a shift in US policy from Pakistan to repair its damaged relations
with India due to its afghan policy. US suspended military sales and economic
assistance to Pakistan.
The Afghanistan problem continued to haunt Pakistan during these years.
Pakistan's effort to install a pro-Pakistan Mujahedeen government in Kabul did
not succeed.
India and Pakistan decided to test nuclear weapon in 1998 and peace treaties
were also getting signed but meanwhile the strengthening relations with India
went to failure with the occurrence of Kargil war in 1999.
2001 Onwards: Counter Terrorism
The 9/11 attacks in US brought a huge change in international politics and in US
policy. Pakistan was caught as the main target due to the afghan mujahedeen
residing in Pakistan. But Pakistan managed to cope with it by entering and
supporting the war against terror.
US extended economic and technological assistance to strengthen border security.
Pakistan also received liberal economic assistance from the World Bank, IMF and
Asian development bank.
The relations with India began to weaken because India also supported the war
against terror but US chose Pakistan for its counter terrorism strategy and
India started to describe that Pakistan is deeply involved with Taliban and
Islamic groups. Dialogues started but they could not get successful.
Pakistan’s relations with Russia, Muslim world and china strengthened.
Current
Since 2001, the policy of war on terror has only affected and degraded our
sovereignty, economy, territory, human rights, security and such matters. It has
only increased violence, terrorism and fear in our country and society. In
addition to this, the recent Peshawar incident has directly and deeply violated
our dominion and security. Moreover, along with this, the threat from India and
Afghanistan is further deteriorating as both are close partners. India’s
influence is increasing on Afghanistan and owing to this the anti-Pakistan
sentiments are being injected in locals of Afghanistan. So the main, prime and
basic objective of our foreign policy is to:
* Make security our focal point of foreign policy
* Review our policy towards neighbors and Muslim world
* Make our strategic position an asset rather than liability through trade,
connectivity and communication.
CONCLUSION
The Foreign Policy of Pakistan strives for the promotion of peace and security
at the regional and global levels. It also aims at accelerating the country's
socio-economic progress. In keeping with its international obligations and in
conformity with the United Nations Charter, Pakistan consistently seeks
friendship and cooperation in its foreign relations on the basis of sovereign
equality, mutual respect and benefit, non-interference and peaceful settlement
of disputes.
Pakistan is currently an active player in the global efforts for combating
religious extremism and terrorism with a policy that extremism and terrorism
pose serious threats to global security as well as to Pakistan's internal peace,
stability and economic development.
“Our Foreign Policy is one of the friendliness and goodwill towards all the
nations of the world we do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or
nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and
international dealings. Pakistan will never be found lacking in upholding
principles of the United Nations’ Charter.” (Quaid-e-Azam, Feb: 1948)