Centre for Air Power Studies - Are US-PAkiStAn relAtionS Being redefined?

Summary

While the focus of the previous phases of the US-Pakistan partnership has been security, the current phase of the relationship centres more on both the US and Pakistan attempting to reset ties and redefine common areas of interest based on cooperation in the arena of non-traditional security threats. [...] This is a departure in the US approach from the past, where the acquisition of US equipment by Pakistan has been the defining factor of the US-Pakistan relationship. [...] It is one that’s also involved in different points cooperation with us on counterterrorism…this is one of the things we’re going to be looking at in the days, and weeks ahead - the role that Pakistan has played over the last 20 years but also the role we would want to see it play in the coming years and what it will take for it to do that.”³ The US has an interest in stabilising Afghanistan, focus. [...] The US has been Pakistan’s largest export market, and the figures for the US import of Pakistani goods stand at US $5 billion in 2021.⁶ The US has also remained the leading investor in Pakistan in the last 20 years. [...] The US has been concerned about the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, specifically with the deteriorating security situation in the country.