Neighbours And Nations - Pakistan's Relations With The Neighbours

Pakistan's Relations with Neighboring Countries

Overview of Neighboring Countries

• Pakistan shares borders with six countries: Iran, Afghanistan, China, India, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Out of these, two are considered friendly neighbors while four are viewed as adversaries.

Friendly Relations: Iran and China

Iran-Pakistan Relations

• Iran was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan post-independence in 1947. A significant agreement was signed in 1951 to resolve border disputes.

• The collaboration included a gas pipeline project initiated in 1956; however, it faced political interruptions by 1958.

• Tensions arose after Iran nationalized the Anglo-Iranian oil company in 1974 but were alleviated following a visit from Iran's president to Pakistan in 1998. Both nations now cooperate on trade and energy projects.

China-Pakistan Relationship

• The relationship between Pakistan and China is described as an "all-weather friendship," characterized by mutual support during conflicts such as the wars against India in 1965 and Kargil in 1999. China's military support has been crucial for Pakistan during these times.

• In response to natural disasters like the Kashmir earthquake in 2006, China provided humanitarian aid by constructing homes for affected individuals. Additionally, Chinese investments have significantly contributed to infrastructure projects like dams and ports within Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Adversarial Relations: Tajikistan and Turkmenistan

Tajikistan-Pakistan Dynamics

• Both countries gained independence on September 9, 1945; however, relations were limited due to Tajikistan being part of the Soviet Union until its independence in 1991. Initial agreements focused on transportation and trade were established thereafter.

• Nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998 strained relations temporarily when Tajikistan closed its airspace to Pakistani flights but improved again post-9/11 when military cooperation resumed.

Turkmenistan-Pakistan Relations

• Prior to its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, there were no formal ties between Turkmenistan and Pakistan; diplomatic relations began after President Nyazov's visit in 1995. A gas pipeline project intended for regional supply started construction but faced delays due to instability in Afghanistan since then.

• In recent years (2015), both nations agreed to revive this pipeline project aimed at transporting significant volumes of gas across borders despite previous challenges posed by changing political conditions within Afghanistan.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Historical Context

• Before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, relations between both countries were stable with active trade and diplomatic exchanges; however, this changed drastically due to conflict leading to over a million Afghan refugees entering Pakistan which strained resources significantly for both nations.

Historical Relations Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Impact of the Soviet Withdrawal and Taliban Rise

• After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, civil war in Afghanistan led to an influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan, straining its resources.

• The rise of the Taliban in 1996 exacerbated tensions; they launched attacks on Pakistani soil and refused to return Pakistani prisoners of war.

• The Taliban's threats against Pakistan escalated violence, including bomb blasts that killed numerous civilians at funerals.

Post-9/11 Dynamics

• Following the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban regime was overthrown, leading to improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan as Pakistan joined the US-led war on terror.

• However, after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, relations soured again with renewed Taliban aggression towards Pakistan. Recent attacks included a significant incident at Islamabad airport resulting in over 100 fatalities.

Historical Border Issues

• The Durand Line remains a contentious issue; it is not internationally recognized and is viewed by Afghans as an artificial boundary contributing to ongoing disputes between the two nations.

Complex Relations Between Pakistan and India

Historical Context

• Relations between Pakistan and India have been fraught since their independence, marked by three wars with ongoing conflict primarily centered around Kashmir.

• Cross-border attacks have become common, fostering deep-seated animosity among citizens of both countries who often harbor prejudices against each other based solely on nationality.

Propaganda and Hatred

• Both nations have historically utilized media to promote negative narratives about one another, perpetuating cycles of hatred rather than focusing on development or cooperation. A notable example includes a resurfaced video during a cricket match that was used to incite further animosity instead of fostering understanding.