By : Jaiwant Singh Jhala, Research Analyst, GSDN
Pakistan is one of the most important countries in Asia. It may not be as economically powerful as China, as militarily powerful as the United States, or as influential globally as Russia, but its location and strategic importance make it impossible for major powers to ignore. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country, has a population of more than 200 million, shares borders with China, India, Afghanistan and Iran, and has access to the Arabian Sea. It is also located close to the Middle East, Central Asia, and important global trade routes. This makes Pakistan matter greatly to the three superpowers of the world that are the United States, Russia and China. However, each of these countries sees Pakistan differently. China sees Pakistan as a close strategic partner and an important route to the Indian Ocean. The United States sees Pakistan as important for counterterrorism, nuclear security and stability in South Asia. Russia sees Pakistan as a country that can help it expand its influence in South Asia, Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. Pakistan is therefore important because of the influence it can have on the interests of superpowers. Its location, nuclear weapons, military strength, population, relations with other countries and economic potential make it an important country in global politics.
Why Pakistan Matters to the US-
The relationship between Pakistan and the United States has always been complicated. At different times, the two countries have been close partners and serious critics of each other. During the Cold War, Pakistan was an important American partner against the Soviet Union. Later, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pakistan became an important country in the American War on Terror. The relationship has faced many problems. The United States has often criticized Pakistan over terrorism, nuclear weapons and its policies towards Afghanistan. Pakistan, on the other hand, has often accused the United States of treating it as a temporary partner only when Washington needs its help. Despite these problems, Pakistan remains important to the United States. The first reason is terrorism and regional security. Pakistan shares a long border with Afghanistan. Afghanistan has historically related to terrorist groups and militant organizations. Even after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the United States remains concerned about terrorism in the region. The United States therefore needs communication and, in some cases, cooperation with Pakistan to deal with terrorist threats. Pakistan also faces its own serious terrorism problems. Groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and other militant organizations create security problems for both Pakistan and the wider region. The second major reason is Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Pakistan and India are both nuclear-armed countries. They have fought several wars and continue to have serious disagreements, especially over Kashmir. Any major conflict between India and Pakistan can become extremely dangerous because both countries possess nuclear weapons. The United States therefore has a strong interest in preventing a major crisis between them. The US is also concerned about Pakistan’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Any development that increases the range and capability of Pakistan’s missiles attracts American attention. This is because the security consequences of Pakistan’s nuclear programme extend beyond South Asia. Pakistan is also important to the United States because of China. China and the United States are increasingly competing for influence in Asia. China has developed a very close relationship with Pakistan. The United States has also developed stronger relations with India. However, this does not mean that US can simply ignore Pakistan. Pakistan is too large, too strategically located and too important from a security perspective. If Pakistan becomes completely dependent on China, China’s influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean could grow further. The United States therefore has an interest in maintaining at least a working relationship with Pakistan. Pakistan also has economic importance for the United States. With a vast population, it has a large potential market. It also has natural resources and a young population. If Pakistan becomes more economically stable, American companies could find greater opportunities there. The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is therefore no longer the same as it was during the Cold War. Pakistan is not America’s closest ally in Asia. India has become much more important to US. Nevertheless, Pakistan remains important because of terrorism, nuclear weapons, Afghanistan, China and regional stability.
Why Pakistan Matters to Russia-
Russia’s relationship with Pakistan has historically been weaker than its relationship with India. During the Cold War, Russia was closely connected to India, while Pakistan was a partner of the United States and China. However, the international situation has changed. Russia’s relations with the United States and Europe have become extremely tense, particularly after the war in Ukraine. As a result, Russia has started looking more towards Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Pakistan has become important in this new Russian strategy. The first reason is geography. Pakistan gives Russia an opportunity to strengthen its presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Russia has historically been interested in gaining access to warm-water regions and expanding its influence towards the south. Pakistan is also important because of Afghanistan and Central Asia. Russia considers Central Asia very important for its own security. Instability in Afghanistan can spread towards Central Asian countries, many of which have close historical and security connections with Russia. Pakistan is also one of the countries that can influence developments in Afghanistan. For this reason, Russia needs to maintain communication with Pakistan. Economic cooperation is another area of growing interest. Russia has discussed cooperation with Pakistan in areas such as energy, trade, agriculture and transportation. Russia has also explored energy projects and gas pipelines with Pakistan. Pakistan’s close relationship with China also makes it useful to Russia. Russia and China have developed closer relations in recent years. Better relations between Russia and Pakistan can therefore support Russia’s wider engagement with Asia. Russia is unlikely to replace China as Pakistan’s main strategic partner, and Pakistan is unlikely to replace India as Russia’s most important partner in South Asia. However, relationships are becoming more important than they were in the past.
Why Pakistan Matters to China-
China is probably Pakistan’s closest major-power partner. China and Pakistan have strong political, military and economic relations. One of the main reasons Pakistan is important to China is its location. China is located far from the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. A large part of China’s energy imports travels through the Indian Ocean. Pakistan provides China with a possible route towards the Arabian Sea. This is the main reason behind the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, commonly known as CPEC. CPEC is a major part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It aims to connect China’s western region with Pakistan’s port of Gwadar through roads, railways, pipelines and other infrastructure. For China, this connection is important for both economic and strategic reasons. It can help China develop its western region, particularly Xinjiang, and create new trade routes. It also gives China greater access to the Arabian Sea and brings it closer to the Middle East. Gwadar Port is therefore very important to China. It is located near the important sea routes through which energy supplies travel. Although the port and CPEC face challenges, including security problems and economic difficulties, China continues to consider Pakistan strategically important. Pakistan is also important to China because of India. China and India are major competitors in Asia. They have disagreements over their border and compete for influence across the region. India is also becoming an increasingly close partner of the United States. China’s close relationship with Pakistan creates a strategic balance against India. Pakistan and India have a long history of rivalry and conflict. Because of Pakistan, India has to focus on security challenges on both its western and northern borders. China does not necessarily want a permanent war between India and Pakistan. A conflict could damage China’s investments and regional interests. However, Pakistan’s existence as a strong military power means that India cannot focus all its attention on China. Defence cooperation is another important part of the China-Pakistan relationship. China supplies Pakistan with military equipment, aircraft and other defence technology. The two countries also cooperate in the production of military equipment and regularly conduct military exercises. Pakistan is also important to China because of its proximity to Xinjiang. China is concerned about terrorism and instability in its western region. Instability in Pakistan can create security problems for Chinese citizens and projects. Chinese workers and infrastructure projects in Pakistan have faced attacks in the past, particularly in Balochistan. This means that China wants Pakistan to remain stable and secure. A stable Pakistan protects Chinese investments and supports China’s wider regional plans. For China, Pakistan is therefore much more than just a neighboring country. It is a military partner, an economic partner, a possible route to the Indian Ocean and an important country in China’s competition with India and the United States.
Pakistan’s importance in world politics is undeniable. The United States, China and Russia may have different interests in Pakistan, but all three understand the same basic fact and that is Pakistan is too strategically important to ignore. In the emerging multipolar world, Pakistan will continue to occupy an important position. Its geography, nuclear weapons, large population and relations with major powers ensure that it will remain a key country in global politics.
