THIS refers to the article `Sino-US competition` (Sept 17), which was more of a reminder of the carrot-and-stick game played by the United States with Pakistan, and advised Pakistani authorities to maintain a balance in the country`s relations with the US and China.
One wonders if there is any space left for worrying about such a balance even since George W. Bush arrogantly presented us with the infamous `with us or against us` proposition. History tells us that the US has always been unfair to us, siding with India in every regional conflict even when we were its alliance partners.
State institutions must assess the risks involved in the recent visit to Gwadar by the US ambassador. The visit was certainly a US strategy to create mistrust in Beijing regarding Pakistan`s intent.
Pakistan`s policies may very well be decided on two counts. First, friendship with China is time-tested. China always stood by Pakistan in its most difficult times, while the US always took advantage of Pakistan`s predicaments, and promised help tied with some restrictions and the endless mantra of `do more`.
Pakistan`s policymakers should always remember American arrogance.
Washington has always wanted and expected full and total commitment from Pakistan, while it considered itself not bound by any moral obligations. This is the history of relations between Pakistan and the US that we must remember while chalking out the country`s foreign policy.
