Pakistan's Foreign Policy & Relations

Pakistan Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is a high-value topic in CSS and PMS exams. Understanding Pakistan's bilateral relations, multilateral engagements, and foreign policy principles is crucial.

1. Key Bilateral Relations

Pakistan-China Relations

• "All-weather strategic cooperative partnership"
• CPEC ($62+ billion) - flagship of Belt and Road Initiative
• Defense cooperation - JF-17 Thunder jointly produced
• China's consistent support on Kashmir issue at UNSC

Pakistan-USA Relations

• Allied since Cold War era (SEATO, CENTO membership)
• Major non-NATO ally status (2004)
• Counter-terrorism cooperation post 9/11
• Relations marked by trust deficit on certain issues

Pakistan-India Relations

• Kashmir dispute remains core issue
• Wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, and Kargil conflict (1999)
• Simla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999)
• Composite Dialogue process and CBMs

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Relations

• Strong religious and cultural ties
• Significant Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia
• Defense cooperation and financial support

2. International Organizations

• United Nations - Founding member, active in peacekeeping
• OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) - Active member
• SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) - Full member since 2017
• SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
• ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) - Regional economic bloc

3. Major Foreign Policy Principles

• Sovereignty and territorial integrity
• Non-interference in internal affairs
• Peaceful resolution of disputes
• Support for right of self-determination (Kashmir)
• Economic diplomacy and regional connectivity