In the major transformations of the international system, alliances are measured not so much by what is said publicly as by what is practiced on the ground. From this perspective, we can understand the quiet but profound strategic shift in Pakistan’s approach to its international relations, particularly its relationship with the United States and the rise of China as a more reliable and sustainable strategic ally.
اضافة اعلان
Pakistan understands, based on its historical experience, that the United States is not a dependable ally in critical moments. From the Cold War through the war in Afghanistan to the abrupt US withdrawal in 2021, Washington has demonstrated that its sole criterion for alliances is immediate self-interest, not long-term commitment. The United States has treated Pakistan, for the most part, as a functional tool, not an equal strategic partner, which has profoundly influenced Pakistani decision-makers.
Conversely, the United States today acts according to a logic of containing China, rather than supporting regional stability. This is clearly evident in its eagerness to build military and economic partnerships with India, and to develop ports and infrastructure, not so much to develop India as to create an advanced foothold on China's borders. This behavior reinforces Pakistan's conviction that Washington is prepared to use regional balances as fuel for major conflicts, even if the price is the destabilization of all of South Asia.
From a strategic perspective, this trend cannot be separated from the possibility that India, or at least the Indian military establishment, will be a direct or indirect party in any future confrontation with China. Strengthening Indian capabilities, intensifying US-Indian military cooperation, and integrating New Delhi into arrangements such as the Quad are all indicators of a US willingness to push India to the forefront of competition with Beijing. For Pakistan, this scenario carries two risks: first, a disruption of the regional military balance, and second, dragging the region into a conflict that serves no one's interests.
In this context, Pakistan is dealing with the United States with calculated pragmatism. It does not sever ties or engage in confrontational ruptures, but at the same time, it does not base its national strategy on American promises that experience has proven fragile. This pragmatic approach reflects advanced political maturity and spares Islamabad the cost of becoming beholden to a single, volatile axis.
On the other hand, China represents a strategic partner for Pakistan, based on a genuine convergence of interests. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not merely an infrastructure project, but a comprehensive framework for repositioning Pakistan at the heart of the Asian economic landscape. Furthermore, the relationship with Beijing is characterized by continuity, non-interference in internal affairs, and a balance of security interests- elements that Pakistan lacks in its relationship with the West.
Pakistan's strategic vision today is clearly oriented eastward, not driven by ideology, but by rational calculations. China is a rising power that needs stable partners, and Pakistan is a pivotal state with a crucial geographical location, considerable military capabilities, and extensive experience in managing complex balances.
This convergence gives the relationship a strategic depth that transcends mere circumstance. It could be argued that Pakistan is not so much “leaving” the West as it is redefining its relationship with it, while steadily moving towards a strategic partnership with China, which it sees as a reliable ally in a world moving towards multipolarity. This choice, if managed wisely, strengthens Pakistan’s decision-making independence, protects its national interests, and prevents it from becoming fuel for major conflicts in which it has no stake.
