In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the United States has voiced its support for India. President Donald Trump condemned the attack and expressed a commitment to helping India bring the perpetrators to justice. Additionally, US spy chief Tulsi Gabbard reaffirmed America’s backing as India pursues those responsible, while House Speaker Mike Johnson assured that the U.S. would facilitate India’s fight against terrorism.
However, recent events indicate a potential shift in the dynamics of U.S. foreign relations, particularly regarding Islamabad. Over the past few weeks, U.S. leadership has engaged with senior officials in Pakistan’s military. On June 18, President Trump met with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, and subsequently, Chief of the Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Washington on July 2 for discussions with Pentagon and State Department officials.
This raises significant questions about whether the U.S. is reconsidering its military relations with Pakistan and what this might mean for New Delhi.
During Sidhu’s visit, he engaged in high-level discussions at the Pentagon, including talks with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin. The talks focused on areas such as joint operational training, technology sharing, and strengthening institutional ties, as well as future cooperation between the two nations’ air forces.
At the State Department, Sidhu met officials from the political and military affairs bureau and the South and Central Asian affairs bureau. He also met with prominent members of the U.S. Congress, a move that signifies the importance attributed to military relations by both countries.
In a statement from the Pakistan Air Force, Sidhu’s visit was described as a strategic milestone in the Pak-US defense partnership. The objective is to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, addressing critical regional and global security challenges.
Analysts suggest that this visit, occurring soon after India’s Operation Sindoor, aims to assist Pakistan in acquiring advanced military equipment from the United States. Pakistan is reportedly interested in the American-built F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, as well as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
This is particularly noteworthy given that Indian missiles and drones recently penetrated Pakistan’s Chinese-sourced defense systems to target military sites deep within its territory, resulting in the destruction of missile defense setups.
What adds further intrigue to Sidhu’s visit is the recent luncheon between President Trump and General Munir, where the latter advocated for Trump to receive a Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts in averting nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. This closed-door meeting regarding U.S.-Pakistan relations raises eyebrows regarding long-term U.S. strategies in South Asia.
The evolution of U.S.-Pakistan military ties has been tumultuous over the decades. In the aftermath of Pakistan’s creation in 1947, U.S. fears of Soviet expansionism and Islamabad’s security needs in relation to India prompted an alliance between the two nations, which began with military aid and agreements.
During these early years, significant military assistance flowed into Pakistan, but relations soured following the 1965 war when the U.S. suspended arms transfers to both New Delhi and Islamabad. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan emerged as a crucial ally for the U.S. in countering Soviet influence, receiving military support which included F-16 fighter jets.
However, with the end of the Cold War, military assistance to Pakistan was once again curtailed, particularly during the 1990s under President George H.W. Bush. Relations shifted dramatically post-9/11, as Pakistan received substantial aid rooted in counterterrorism efforts.
By 2018, under President Trump, U.S. aid to Pakistan was again suspended due to Islamabad’s failure to act against terrorist groups. Trump himself criticized Pakistan on social media for benefiting from U.S. aid while allegedly harboring terrorists. Yet, there has been a recent authorizing by Trump to release funds for Pakistan, reflecting the complex and often inconsistent nature of U.S. foreign policy.
The underlying reasons for these fluctuating ties stem from mutual security interests—while Pakistan seeks U.S. military support, Washington perceives strategic benefits in maintaining a relationship with Islamabad, particularly concerning countering China and managing security threats stemming from Afghanistan.
For India, this new engagement between the U.S. and Pakistan presents a multi-faceted challenge. The potential for a re-hyphenation in U.S. policy towards India and Pakistan is a concern that bears watching. This comes in light of India’s increased prominence in U.S. foreign policy as a strategic ally, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
Experts suggest that America’s enhanced interactions with Pakistan should not be misconstrued as a departure from its commitment to India. Instead, these discussions can be viewed as tactical engagements driven by geographic considerations and legacy relationships, given Pakistan’s continued strategic ties with China.
Lt. General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired) succinctly summarizes the situation: Trump’s outreach to Pakistan does not signify a betrayal of India, but rather a pragmatic engagement based upon evolving regional dynamics and established relationships. While Pakistan offers critical access to the U.S. for various geopolitical strategies, such engagements are often opportunistic rather than grounded in a long-term strategic vision.
Overall, while the United States is reaffirming support for India in its fight against terrorism, it cannot ignore its historical and ongoing ties with Pakistan. These developments serve as a reminder of the intricate balance at play in South Asia, with the implications extending far beyond bilateral relations to encompass regional security strategies, global power dynamics, and the ever-present challenge posed by terrorism.
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