US Foreign Policy in South Asia (2001-2020).pptx

US Foreign Policy in South Asia (2001-2020)

1. US Foreign Policy in South Asia (2001-2020) By Saadia Babar

2. Background The global strategic landscape was in favor of the United States. (1991) Immediate Post-Cold War Interests in South Asia: Developing a strong economic and strategic relationship with India. Preserving the integrity of Pakistan. Curbing Islamic extremism. Containing terrorist activity in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Preventing a potentially dangerous arms race on the Sub-Continent. Promoting peace process between India and Pakistan relating to Kashmir. Predominant : Counter Terrorism & Nuclear Non-Proliferation

3. Why Counter Terrorism and Nuclear Non-Proliferation? “A National Security Strategy for a New Century”, January 2000 CT Concerns: South Asia represents a unified security zone. Terrorism as a prolonged feature of South Asia. Young political systems. Militant religious groups are exploiting local grievances. Suspicion and hostility describe the political relationship between states. NNP Concerns: Stiffness between India and Pakistan. The way nuclear energy and weaponry are developed, stored, transported, and used. Pakistan considered to be a threat. (Politically weak, relations with Taliban & the Kargil Chapter)

4. Post 9/11 Strategy and Developments Global War on Terrorism became the first strategic priority for the U.S. Aims: Fighting terrorism & eliminating terrorist elements from Pakistan and Afghanistan. 2001 Invasion on Afghanistan. Revival and consolidation of an old ally. (Musharraf’s Era) Pakistan jeopardized its Kashmir policy and strategic support to the jihadi groups operating in Kashmir The Emergence of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001) and Pakistan’s recognition of the government. US strategic miscalculations in the region. Bitter Indo-US Relations.

5. Good Pak-US Relations, Even Better Indo-US Relations. India was an emerging regional power. 2004 Task Force Report “US policy towards India, Pakistan and Afghanistan” For India: develop political, military and intelligence cooperation increase dialogue on trade and economic issues assign a trade agreement on services For Pakistan: Interests of the two countries “coincided only partially”.

6. Continued A top level US delegation visits India in 2004. In 2005, Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh and President Bush meet in United States. Two Noteworthy Agreements Signed: US military sales to India of advanced- tech objects A civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. Pakistan requests a similar deal but is rejected. It continues to be a relationship of more of the same. Great Emphasis on Pakistan’s Economic Development.

7. Obama’s Strategy (2009-2017) “India is a friend, but not an ally. Pakistan is an ally, but not a friend. Afghanistan is everyone’s problem” Stephen P. Cohen No significant change in United States policy toward South Asia. The “AfPak Initiative” Aims: (1) Expand the state-building resources in the AfPak region. (2) Destroy the safe havens for global terrorists. 2011 Operation Neptune Spears. By 2014-2016 the US Troops withdrawal from Afghanistan. Obama continued to build a strategic and economic partnership with India. “ India’s growing role in the global economy is accepted the way we accept the law of gravity.” Hillary Clinton  2008 Mumbai Attacks and India’s rigid stance on non-state terrorism.

8. Trump’s Policies (2017-2020) A new three core pillars South Asian policy directed towards the three key players. Regarding Afghanistan, an approach guided by the ‘conditions on ground’. In addressing Pakistan, Trump stated that USA “can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations”. The essential support provided by the Pakistan against the Taliban fell on the side. US-Taliban Peace Deal 2020. CPEC & Pakistan. “Tilt” towards India. Act East Policy and counterweighting China.

9. Conclusion? A global power, but can not act alone on global problems. (Terrorism & WMD) United States fluctuating foreign policy with ups and downs/ engagements and disengagements. Chinese threat in 21 st century and reliance on Indian alliance. Pakistan role in “war against terrorism” and India’s potential regional power. India first.