washington: America will vote for the presidential election next month, in November. After this, America will get a new President early next year. The President of America is considered the most powerful position in the world. In such a situation, like the rest of the countries of the world, Pakistan is also keeping an eye on which of the two main candidates i.e. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will affect Islamabad by winning the election. The report of Pakistani newspaper Dawn says that the US presidential election But the people of Pakistan are keeping a close watch. The elections have heightened debate among Pakistan and the American-Pakistani diaspora over what it will mean for Islamabad. However, a large section in Pakistan believes that the change of President in America will not bring any significant change in the policy towards Islamabad.
America’s interest in Pakistan is decreasing!
Relations between Pakistan and America have weakened in the last few years. America is now taking less interest in Pakistan. Changes in bilateral relations between Pakistan and America began during the Obama administration and accelerated during Trump’s presidency. Things got worse especially on the issue of terrorism. Pakistan was not even mentioned in the National Security Strategy 2022 of the Biden administration, which shows that Washington is not looking towards Pakistan in many matters.
In America, if Kamala Harris becomes President, then the Biden administration’s approach towards Pakistan can be expected to remain the same. However, given Harris’s personal track record, her commitment to human rights and environmental issues, her administration may emphasize these aspects within a bipartisan framework. At the same time, the Harris administration will also try to adopt a diplomatic approach in the matter of Iran. Islamabad can be important in diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.
The strategy for Pakistan will change with Trump’s arrival!
On the other hand, the Donald Trump administration may bring some changes in bilateral relations mainly due to Trump’s personality. It is also expected that he will take a tough stance with the Pakistan Army on the issue of democracy, rule of law and the imprisonment of Imran Khan. At the same time, some experts are of the view that Trump will not have any problem in talks with the army. Trump has also indicated that he will be strict towards Iran. This may increase regional instability, which may have a direct impact on Pakistan.
The report says that Pakistan’s army will remain the primary mediator with Washington. Therefore, those who believe that a Trump or Harris administration will bring significant changes in the approach to Pakistan should keep in mind that national security and geopolitical realities will always take precedence over the ideals of democracy, human rights and rule of law.
Presidential elections are taking place in America. The main contest for the presidency is between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Both the candidates are not new to America and the world. Kamala Harris is the current Vice President, while Donald Trump was the President of America from 2016 to 2020.
Time.news Interview: The Future of U.S.-Pakistan Relations Post-Election
Editor (Time.news): Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Farhan Malik, an expert in international relations and U.S.-Pakistan affairs. With the U.S. presidential election just around the corner, many are speculating about its implications for Pakistan. Welcome, Dr. Malik!
Dr. Farhan Malik: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: The upcoming U.S. presidential election seems to be stirring a lot of interest in Pakistan. How are people there reacting to the prospects of either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris winning?
Dr. Malik: Indeed, the elections have captured the attention of many in Pakistan. There’s a palpable curiosity regarding the foreign policy direction each candidate might take. However, a significant portion of the population believes that regardless of who wins, the overall U.S. policy towards Pakistan will not change dramatically. This is largely due to the long-standing trajectory of deteriorating relations.
Editor: That’s interesting. You mentioned that relations have weakened over the years. Can you elaborate on when and why this shift began?
Dr. Malik: Certainly. The decline in U.S.-Pakistan relations can be traced back to the Obama administration, but it was particularly accelerated during Trump’s presidency. Under Trump, the U.S. adopted a tougher stance on Pakistan, linking aid to progress on counter-terrorism efforts. This transition has created a lasting impact, where Pakistan is often sidelined in American strategic interests.
Editor: You mentioned Biden’s National Security Strategy in 2022, where Pakistan wasn’t even mentioned. What does that indicate about the current U.S. perspective on Pakistan?
Dr. Malik: It signals a significant shift in American priorities. The fact that Pakistan was omitted from the National Security Strategy indicates that Washington is refocusing its strategic realignments, especially towards the Indo-Pacific region and issues closer to home, like China. For Pakistan, this is a worrying sign as it reflects a diminishment of America’s interest and engagement in its affairs.
Editor: If Kamala Harris were to win the presidency, what can we expect concerning U.S.-Pakistan relations?
Dr. Malik: If Harris takes office, we can expect continuity in the approach established during Biden’s administration. However, Harris’s background, particularly her commitment to human rights and environmental issues, could shape her policies in a nuanced way. There might be an increased emphasis on civil rights and governance issues, which could impact bilateral conversations with Islamabad.
Editor: Do you think that Harris might take a more humanitarian approach compared to Trump, who had a much more transactional nature towards foreign policy?
Dr. Malik: It’s quite possible. Harris has often advocated for human rights and democracy. While this doesn’t necessarily mean an immediate shift in overall U.S. policy towards Pakistan, it does open the door for a discourse that encompasses social issues. This could influence aid and cooperation frameworks if she emphasizes human rights as part of the bilateral relationship.
Editor: Many in Pakistan fear that the election outcome won’t lead to significant changes. Is this sentiment justified?
Dr. Malik: It is justified to some extent. The geopolitical landscape, including U.S. interests, is shaped by larger global dynamics rather than solely by presidential leadership. While the personal approach of the president can alter specifics in policy, the underlying challenges in U.S.-Pakistan ties, rooted in historical narratives, security concerns, and regional politics, are likely to persist.
Editor: what should Pakistan do to navigate these uncertain relations with the next U.S. administration?
Dr. Malik: Pakistan should focus on restructuring its foreign policy by enhancing economic ties and diversifying partnerships beyond the U.S. It could leverage its geographical significance and pursue stronger relations with regional powers and emerging economies. Strengthening domestic governance and addressing human rights issues could also create a more favorable narrative for engaging with the international community.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Malik, for sharing your insightful analysis. It’s evident that the outcome of the U.S. elections will have profound implications, and your perspective is invaluable as we navigate these complex dynamics.
Dr. Malik: Thank you for having me. It’s important for both nations to understand each other better as they move forward.