Evolving US-Pak Relations

The US–Pakistan relations have always been an episode of LOVE and Hate, demand and supply, and being used and abused. According to Anatol Lieven, the author of the book PAKISTAN: A HARD COUNTRY, “The US–Pakistan relations that have developed with ups and downs over the last six and a half decades can probably be best characterized as a security (or military) related form of clientelism, a relationship of dependence based on a reciprocal exchange of favours between two people, the patron and the client, whose control of resources are unequal.” Going back and looking at it from history, the US–Pakistan relations can be understood in three phases.

Cold War Phase (1950–1990) – Strategic alignment against communism

Soon after independence, Pakistan became a close ally to the US. It also joined US-led military alliances like SEATO and CENTO to contain the Soviet Union in 1954 and 1955 respectively, and received massive military and economic aid from the US. The partnership reached its peak during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–89), when the US relied on Pakistan as a frontline state to support Afghan Mujahideen forces.

Second Phase: It unfolded in the 1990s, marked by distrust and distancing after the Cold War ended. Then, after the disintegration of the USSR, the situation took a massive turn. With the Soviet threat gone, USA’s strategic interests declined, and Pakistan’s nuclear programme became a major point of contention. Washington imposed the Pressler Amendment sanctions in 1990, followed by more sanctions after Pakistan’s nuclear tests, creating a strained relationship.

Third Phase: It began after the 9/11 attacks, when Pakistan once again became strategically important as the US launched its war on terror in Afghanistan. Pakistan was designated as a major non-NATO ally, receiving billions in aid in exchange for counter-terrorism efforts. However, issues such as drone strikes, the presence of extremist groups, and incidents like the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden deepened mutual distrust.

Coming fast forward to 2025, the US–Pakistan relations are undergoing a significant shift in President Donald Trump’s second term. It started back with Operation Sindoor, which Trump has claimed on more than 50 occasions that he mediated. India has denied the claim, while Pakistan has wholeheartedly welcomed it. Pakistan has even nominated Mr. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump even called Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir his “favourite Field Marshal” during the Gaza peace summit in October. Although US officials insist that this has nothing to do with India, this growing harmony between Islamabad and Washington has naturally irked India. It has also upended what was a carefully crafted strategic partnership between Delhi and Washington over the last 25 years.

From an Indian point of view, the first distressing move came right after Operation Sindoor, when Trump announced to the world that the hostilities between India and Pakistan had ended even before any Indian official could make a statement. Trump then went on to claim that he was the one who mediated between India and Pakistan. After a few weeks, the US president remarked that “seven brand new jets” were shot down during the India–Pakistan conflict without specifying to which side they belonged.

Then, in June, Trump invited Pakistan’s PM along with the Army Chief Asim Munir to the White House and hosted them for an official lunch. There was a testy phone call for PM Modi, who refused to do that. Then in July and August, India was slapped with two sets of punitive tariffs of 25 percent each. India is the only country in the world along with Brazil which is paying a 50 percent tariff for exports. At the same time, Pakistan is awarded a benign 19 percent tariff.

Pakistan is also the co-chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee while providing a safe haven to several terrorist groups and leaders, including those sanctioned by the UN. Very recently, on the Lal Qila car blast that shocked Delhi, the US embassy showed concern for the victims, but at the same time it reacted differently when a similar incident took place in Islamabad.

Many such incidents show the dual nature of the United States. However, history shows that hopes of any reliable and mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Pakistan always end in disappointment.