Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a significant preview of his potential foreign policy, former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly laid out a stark choice for Pakistan's powerful Army Chief, General Asim Munir: align with the United States against Iran, and in return, pivot away from strategic allies China and Russia.
According to a detailed report by journalist Adelle Nazarian, Trump communicated this message directly to General Munir, signaling a potential return to a more transactional and conditional U.S.-Pakistan relationship should he win the 2024 presidential election. The core of the proposition involves American support for Pakistan, particularly in its efforts to contain mutual adversary Iran. However, this support comes with a hefty price—demanding that Islamabad create distance from its deep-rooted economic and military ties with both Beijing and Moscow.
Trump was critical of the current U.S. administration, claiming President Joe Biden has "lost Pakistan." This outreach is seen as an attempt to re-establish American influence in a region where China’s footprint, especially through the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has grown significantly.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Trump also addressed the political situation of his one-time ally, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. While he had previously praised Khan, Trump reportedly stated that the embattled leader had "lost his way." In a stunning turn, Trump suggested that Khan could still have a political future, but only if he chose to work with Pakistan's current government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This marks a notable shift from his past rhetoric and suggests a pragmatic approach focused on dealing with Pakistan's current power structure.
This reported conversation is bolstered by other signs of engagement. Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, recently met with Pakistani-American businessmen with close ties to Islamabad, further indicating that the Trump camp is actively exploring a new framework for relations.
For Pakistan, this presents a formidable challenge. The nation has long pursued a delicate balancing act, maintaining its "all-weather" friendship with China while also engaging with Russia and navigating a complex, often fraught, relationship with the United States. Trump’s clear-cut proposal forces a choice that could redefine Pakistan’s strategic standing on the world stage.
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