WASHINGTON: The decision by the United States announced yesterday [April 12] to close down its military mission in Pakistan and not to grant or sell lethal weapons in the foreseeable future marks an important turning point in American-Pakistan relations.
Though some lip service may continue to be paid to the alliance relationship between the two countries, there is no doubt that the U.S. has decided to put its ties with allied Pakistan on the same footing with non-aligned India.
A report in the `Washington Post` said today, `One US official put it yesterday that the United States is at least now trying to draw back from its earlier posture by ending what amounted to a `special relationship` with Pakistan.
The prompt reaction of the Pal(istan Foreign Office that we would now have to look to other sources for military procurement has been noted here though not necessarily appreciated.
While some US officials privately maintain that the new arms policy would benefit Pakistan since Pakistan needs spares more for previously acquired American weapons than India which has [little] US equipment, the emphasis is on the fact that the United States was withdrawing into a `nominal relationship` with Pakistan in the military field.
Besides, the US has made clear that it would like other nations to fall in line with American policy of freezing, if not reducing, the military capabilities of India and Pakistan.
