Flags of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India

South Asian politics has been dominated by two arch rivals and atomic powers, India and Pakistan. India got its independence under the banner of Congress party and being led by Mahatma Gandhi who was pro-left in his ideological stance, aligned itself with the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Whereas Pakistan got its freedom on an ideology which was purely based on Islam and Muslim nationalism.

This conservative ideology compelled Pakistani leaders to turn down Russian offer of joining hands with them because Russia at that time was being governed by the Atheistic Communists and they moved towards a Christian dominated the United States of America. Another thing that could be the reason was the economic crisis of Pakistan, only America was able to fulfill Pakistan’s needs at that time.

However, this proved to be a blunder for Pakistan because India started confronting Pakistan on every forum with the help of USSR. When Pakistan submitted a resolution in the United Nations for holding a referendum in Jammu and Kashmir, USSR out-rightly vetoed it. In 1965 War, USSR fully supported India by providing them arms and ammunition and on the other hand, America put arms embargo both on Pakistan and India.

Pakistani arms were mostly America made so this created a chaos for Pakistan. On the contrary India, arms were being imported from USSR so this embargo did not hamper Indian war abilities. In 1971, USSR was instrumental in training and funding armed guerrillas of Mukti Bahni ( a terrorist organisation backed by Indian establishment) which started attacking Pakistan Army in Bangladesh. On the eve of war, USA promised to send a fleet to the Bay of Bengal to confront attacking Indian Army but his promise never materialised.This resulted in the secession of Bengal from Pakistan.

Still, Pakistan continued to be in the American camp, providing them help in contacting China during Nixon’s presidency. Later, in Afghan Jihad, Pakistan continued to be a staunch ally of the USA in confronting Russia in Afghanistan. This resulted in the dismemberment of Russia at the hands of Afghan Mujahideen under the covert support of Pakistani ISI and American CIA.

After Russian dismemberment, USA packs up from the region without providing economic support for the war affected regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. After 9/11, America approached Pakistan again and the Pakistani government was quick to side with America without taking Pakistani people into confidence, resulted in protests and mass demonstrations in Pakistan. Now America is repeating the same mistake that it committed after Afghan Jihad of leaving the region without taking war repercussions into notice.

America is shifting its focus from Pakistan to India, with which it is establishing its strategic partnership ignoring long-term ally in the form of Pakistan. America is trying to use India as a counter power against China to contain rising Chinese economic power. America is investing heavily in India and supporting India in its bid to join Nuclear Supplier group.Apart from this, it is also expected that Americans would support India in its quest for a Permanent seat in Security Council.

In the region, some Arab states which were once considered to be in Pakistani camp have now forged Strategic ties and defence agreements with India. Iran has also moved into the India camp providing India with a transit route to reach Afghanistan and resource-rich Central Asian states.

Pakistan also needs to look for more partners outside its previous block, Russia can prove to be an ally of Pakistan against America’s pro-Indian policy, Turkey has been a staunch ally of Pakistan and is still one of the few countries standing shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan. Lastly, China is our iron brother, who always supported Pakistan and is still the most trusted friend of Pakistan.