Evolving Dynamics of Pakistan’s Foreign Relations

For decades, Pakistan has leveraged its geographic location and benefitted in the bargain with major powers and Muslim nations. Its association with the United States and China have helped its military to get modern military equipment and assistance, and achieve nuclear weapons capability. One of the most critical challenges for the newly elected regime of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is to revive and strengthen Pakistan’s foreign relations, which suffered a blow during former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure. There has been a decline in Pakistan’s strategic relevance owing to the US exit from Kabul in August 2021, and continued instability within Pakistan on varied fronts. Since Khan’s exit, Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership has been focused on strengthening its bilateral relations to support economic growth, attract investments, revive its strategic relevance and to continue to modernise its military. Pakistan seeks to derive both strategic and economic dividends by maintaining a delicate balance between Washington and Beijing.