Trump will keep Pakistan at a pole distance
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has emphasized that Islamabad can play a constructive role in bridging the differences that have emerged over issues such as trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Rizwan Bhai has expressed willingness of Pakistan to act as a mediator between the United States and China amid escalating tensions between the two superpowers.
However Trump is likely to keep Pakistan at a Pole distance from itself and will not have any mediator between himself and Xi Jinping even though the relationship between Washington and Beijing may have become increasingly strained during Biden’s tenure.
The trade war, freedom of navigation in South China Sea, Taiwan and other matters in Indo Pacific and Africa will certainly not vanish but Trump is not worried.
He will certainly not seek help of countries like Pakistan. Pakistan historically aligned itself with the U.S. for military cooperation but then started strengthening economic ties with China, particularly through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Pakistani Foreign Office recently reaffirmed that its relationship with China remains “unaffected” by changes in U.S. leadership, highlighting the strategic nature of this partnership.
So Pakistan’s position with Trump administration will certainly not facilitate dialogue between the U.S. and China. Pakistan now will have no leverage in its relationships with USA to address mutual concerns, particularly in areas like climate change and regional security.
The ambassador’s remarks suggest that Pakistan is keen to get into good books of Trump which could enhance its diplomatic standing.Despite these aspirations, Pakistan faces significant challenges in balancing its relations with both powers.
Its economic reliance on China through CPEC projects has raised concerns about over-dependence, while its historical ties with the U.S. have been tested by recent geopolitical developments.
Additionally, domestic issues such as economic instability and security threats complicate Islamabad’s ability to navigate this delicate diplomatic landscape effectively.
