Nationalist Foreign Policy
Pakistan does not need a Foreign Policy Review. The Foreign Policy is simply “Obsolete” like the Elitist National System from which it emanates. Pakistan does need a New Nationalist Foreign Policy!!
Nationalist Foreign Policy
First of all Pakistan needs a Foreign Policy to serve the State and People. What passes for Foreign Policy has been serving the Elite – Dictator or Elected , personal interests and not National Interests!! Today Pakistan has a feeble Foreign Policy led by confused Political Elite. Recent blocking of India from NSG membership proves that India can be stopped, blocked, deterred when Pakistan takes prudent Nationalist Foreign Policy initiatives. Similarly Indo – US Nuclear deal, Indian memberships of UNSC and other global forums should be vehemently opposed by Pakistan in harmony with other Nations. Kashmir Cause needs to be globalized and taken to the ultimate level of resolution.
What is Foreign Policy
Simply stated it is National Interest attained abroad. Napoleon termed ‘Geography’ as dictating Foreign Policy. The Austrian Metternich would have termed it ‘Balance of Power’. The French Foreign Minister for all sovereigns, Talleyrand would have termed it ‘Flexible Alliances’. Hitler’s Foreign Minister Ribbentrop’s Alliance with Soviet Union’s Foreign Minister Molotov stunned the Western Powers. The Soviet – Nazi Pact may have changed the outcome of Second World War, but Hitler forfeited his chances by invading Russia (Operation Barbarossa).
Post Second World War, US Foreign Policy was greatly inspired by Spykman (Yale University Professor). His concept of Rimland containing Mackinder’s famed Heartland by then mostly occupied by Soviet Union. Kennan operationalized at the US State Department what Spykman had conceptualized as Rimland – NATO, CENTO, SEATO were US Foreign Policy Alliances greatly inspired from Rimland Concept. (Explained in the Book, “Geopolitik Pakistan” by Nadir Mir)
During the Cold War to split the Soviet Union – China Communist Alliance, Henry Kissinger
launched the State Department initiative of Opening to China. Pakistan facilitated initial
US China overtures with President Nixon later visiting China. Pakistan also faced the joint
wrath of Indo Soviet Alliance during the 1971 war.
Today US Foreign Policy greatly revolves around Pre Containment of China.
This US Pivot to Asia and Rebalancing affects the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia.
Washington also wants Encirclement of Russia and to contain Moscow’s proactive role under
President Putin.
Indian Foreign Policy
Today in 2016, Modi’s India with “Global India” aspirations is working on a tailored and suitably
crafted Foreign Policy.
Delhi is relentlessly working on two cardinal principles:
- Projecting India as a Global Power.
- Defeating or Destroying Pakistan.
Pakistan's Foreign Policy
By contrast Pakistan’s Foreign Policy was generally mediocre in the initial decades.
Still Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, arguably Pakistan’s most famous Foreign Minister apart
from dramatic, emotional oratory, cemented bonds with China. A true mark of State craft.
The Real Decline started in the time of the Last Dictator. Allowing India to establish
Consulates into Afghanistan was a recipe for Disaster. Inviting Afghanistan into SAARC
showed the Demented State of Foreign Office and Pakistan’s Elite. The Democratic dispensation
after the Dictator were equally inept at Foreign Affairs. The choice of Hussain Haqqani as
Ambassador to USA and aftermath speaks for itself. Today the situation is even more pathetic.
Pakistan National Reform Movement’s View Point
In my Press Conference, as Chairman for launching PNR Movement at Lahore Press Club, I said
“Two Hundred Million People – No Foreign Minister.”
Foreign Ministry Leader less
Foreign Policy Rudder less
Direction less
Today the Foreign Policy is simply absurd – Appeasement of India.
Friendship with Enemy India while Friction with Friends is Hollow in
the Extreme Policy. On the contrary, India is having a policy of Covert
Confrontation with Pakistan. Its Strategy is to Encircle, Isolate
and Destabilize Pakistan (clearly explained during Press Conference).
Disrupting CPEC Gwadar and assailing Pakistan’s Nuclear Projects from the Western
direction is part of enemy Geo Strategy. Pakistan should follow a policy of Cold
Peace with India. It should seek Peace and Prosperity with the rest of the world.
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy should aim at Cold Peace with India, which means the following:
- Cold Peace with India
- Balance of Power: It implies overall balance including Geopolitical and Strategic Balance.
- Conflict Resolution :It demands withdrawal of Indian Security Forces from Indian Held Kashmir.
- Farewell to Hegemony:It entails Mutual Defence Reduction Agreement between India
and Pakistan.
It further necessitates closure of Indian Terrorist Consulates in Afghanistan and removal of Indian presence from Chah Bahar (which will lead to conflict with Pakistan)
The world is dynamic. Foreign Affairs even more so. India’s enemy is clearly Pakistan!
Who is Pakistan’s enemy? It is India, even as Pakistan seeks Cold Peace.
Peace and Stability in Afghanistan
Pakistan’s quest for Peace in Afghanistan is being blocked by India which is a spoiler. Delhi wants a Second Front against Pakistan with Kabul as the base. India’s Cold Start from the East and Hybrid/Asymmetrical War from the West is part of the Indian Strategy. After Pakistani Victory over Non State Actors, India is trying to use Afghanistan. However, Kabul is Half State Actor and faces resistance within Afghanistan. Pakistan enjoys leverage over Kabul – Delhi combined in Afghanistan and should use it. By the same token, Afghans are our brothers. We should cooperate, facilitate Afghan Nation less its Indian sponsored puppets of Delhi. Pakistan’s Foreign Policy should call for Peace in Afghanistan based on:
- Withdrawal of all Foreign Forces.
- Closure of Clandestine Terror Houses like Indian Consulates.
- Refusal to accept Indian takeover of Afghanistan from USA.
In any case, Pakistan’s Western Borders will be defended heroically like its Eastern and other Borders.
Alliance Strategy
Since Delhi persists with its Alliance Strategy, Pakistan should plan its own Alliances in the regions.
This may include formalized or Defacto separate Alliances with China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, SCO and Russia.
At the same time, Pakistan should retain its old membership of the Western Alliance and maintain friendship
with USA (despites hiccups and differences).
Good relations with the Western World and Amity with the rest of the World.
Pakistan’s Future Foreign Policy
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy should be Nationalistic and Futuristic.
India’s Global Regional aspirations and Anti Pakistan Policy is to be
defeated by Pakistan’s Cold Peace Policy. Similarly, Pakistan must plan
its own Alliances for Security and Prosperity of Pakistani State and People.
The Elitist serving Foreign Policies of old days are obsolete. Pakistan is
the Central State of many regions. It is the Merkez. Pakistan is both a
Bridge State and Interposing State of multiple regions. (As explained in both
my books, ‘Gwadar on the Global Chessboard and Geopolitik Pakistan’)
Pakistan is destined to Rise as a Great Nation.
As Chairman Pakistan National Reform Movement we propose this New National Foreign Policy. Pakistan will be defended from Indian Hegemony while it befriends the rest of the world. We should contribute to Global Peace and Prosperity.
PNR Movement
Unite Pakistan, Defend Pakistan, Reform Pakistan
Brigadier Nadir Mir (R), Soldier – Scholar – Reformer Author of the books “Gwadar on the Global Chessboard” and ‘Geopolitik Pakistan’ He is the Chairman Pakistan National Reform Movement. PNR Movement is Nationalist (Pro Pakistan) and Reformist (Pro People). PNR Movement Unite Pakistan, Defend Pakistan, Reform Pakistan
This article orginally appeared in Pakistan And Geopolitics Blog