AT a time when global power dynamics are undergoing a seismic shift, Pakistan has to meticulously calibrate its foreign policy, taking into account its needs and interests.
Pakistan had been allied with the United States throughout the Cold War. However, the relations between the two nosedived after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Global power centres are gradually shifting from the western hemisphere to Asia, with relations between the US and China slipping into chaos, confusion and uncertainty. This has created a dilemma for countries like Pakistan to which both the powers matter equally.
Pakistan cannot afford to choose one country over the other. On the one hand is a towering China with which Pakistan has both historic and historical ties, while, on the other hand is the US, Pakistan`s friend with benefits. The US, despite its up-anddown ties with Pakistan, remains one of the largest trade partners of the country.
The option that remains is hedging.
Pakistan needs to find areas of cooperation with each country. Indonesia and Turkiyè are already navigating the choppy waters of global politics by adopting the hedging policy. As such, they have maintainedreciprocatory ties with both the US and China, thus avoiding falling out with either of them. Pakistan should explore areas of cooperation with China as well as the US to remain relevant to both of them. It should adopt a hedging policy for amicable relations with the two global giants.
