Robin Raphel hails Pakistan’s efforts to stabilise ties with other countries

ISLAMABAD: Former US assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Robin Raphel has praised Pakistan’s efforts to stabilise the relationship through dialogues and visits, allowing for candid discussions on divergent issues with the foreign countries.

Addressing a conference “Strengthening Pakistan-US Relations” held under the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Beaconhouse National University (BNU) Lahore here on Thursday, she called for enhancing economic opportunities and targeted US assistance in areas like higher education, technology, and green energy.

The US diplomat who had also served as a CIA analyst, lobbyist, and an expert on Pakistan affairs, laid emphasis on strong bonds between Pakistan and the US.

The conference was attended by a large number of diplomats, practitioners, and academics, showcasing significant interest and engagement.

Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Ali Jehangir Siddiqui threw light on the limited progress in Pakistan-US relations over the past 15 years, emphasising the importance of enhancing Pakistan’s criminal justice system and setting achievable goals to reduce ‘noise’ in the bilateral relations.

Following the inaugural session, two separate panel discussions took place. The discussions focused on key drivers of Pakistan-US ties; addressed contemporary challenges in the bilateral, regional, and global contexts; and identified opportunities for mutually beneficial relations, economic partnership, security cooperation, and regional dynamics.

Chairing the first session, former foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua, focused on Pakistan-US bilateral relations. Ambassador Zamir Akram emphasised realism in the relationship, noting its cyclical nature driven by tactical interests and shaped by external factors. He highlighted the need for substantive engagement in trade and investment. American Business Forum former president Vaseem Anvar stressed a sustainable economic partnership, recommending strengthening diplomatic ties, improving infrastructure, and adopting technology to enhance supply chain management and reduce costs.

In the second session, Pakistan’s former envoy in Kabul Mansoor Khan highlighted the evolving Pakistan-US bilateral relations over the past 75 years, noting historical support and shared challenges. He emphasised geo-economic initiatives like CASA 1000 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the potential for mutual benefit.

Analyst Mosharraf Zaidi emphasised that Pakistan-US bilateral relations should be de-hyphenated from Afghanistan, India and China. He stressed the need for Pakistan to diversify its foreign relations, notably with Japan and Italy, and leverage its strategic importance in Central Asia.

Renowned US expert at Woodrow Wilson Centre Michael Kugelman noted the need for modest expectations in US-Pakistan cooperation due to geopolitical non-alignments. He identified potential areas for collaboration, including Afghanistan, counterterrorism and Central Asia connectivity projects.

Prominent academic Dr Huma Baqai, highlighted the fluctuating nature of the 77-year-old relationship between Pakistan and the US, influenced by the rise of China and shifting US priorities. She emphasised the need for a diplomatic approach and a strategy of “hedging” to maximise Pakistan’s geopolitical options.

University of Lahore Social Sciences Faculty Dean Dr Rabia Akhtar discussed the strategic complexities and challenges in Pakistan-US relations amidst regional and global dynamics. She underscored the importance of mitigating escalation, enhancing multilateral trade, and adopting holistic security policies to ensure long-term stability.

In his remarks at the concluding session, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed emphasised on recognising new realities in the global order with a global shift from West to East and stressed that Pakistan must navigate this new order in line with its core interests.

He further noted historical events, including the Afghan Jihad and the war on terror and their impact on bilateral relations. Moving forward, both nations must learn from past mistakes. Pakistan should improve its relations with neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Iran, while the US must adjust its post-9/11 mindset, he added.

The ideological stance of viewing China as an enemy is unproductive. Future geopolitical shifts, as well as potential return of Donald Trump as US president, could influence the dynamics of this partnership. Ultimately, Pakistan’s unique position makes it a vital partner for the US, as highlighted by President Ayub Khan’s quote emphasising the economic and strategic importance of maintaining relations with both the US and China, Mushahid added.

In his remarks, BNU Vice Chancellor Dr Moeed Yusuf stated that Pakistan sits at a critical crossroads geographically and must focus on economic security and positive interdependence with all states. He noted that perceptions of the Pakistan-US relationship are worse than reality and stressed the need for both countries to address this issue moving forward.

ISSI Board of Governors Chairman Khalid Mahmood commended the ISSI and BNU for holding a fruitful discussion on an important subject and emphasised the importance of building on the accomplishments of the US-Pakistan partnership. He concluded by noting that while the relationship has seen ups and downs, the potential for mutual benefit remains significant and must be pursued with dedication and strategic foresight.