China factor limits US-Pakistan ties: Former US Assistant Secretary of State
Washington, June 4
Pakistan may have skillfully exploited openings with the Trump administration to raise its profile in Washington, but deep-rooted strategic ties between Islamabad and Beijing will ultimately limit how far the US-Pakistan relations can advance, former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal, said in an exclusive interview with.
She mentioned that despite the recent developments, structural realities continue to constrain the US-Pakistan relationship.
"I think that there are limits to how far the US-Pakistan relationship can go, because again, the fundamentals there have not changed," said Biswal.
She pointed specifically to Pakistan's longstanding links with China.
"There is a deep strategic and military relationship between Pakistan and China, an intelligence relationship as well as an economic dependency and a technology dependency," Biswal said.
Those factors, she said, will continue to shape Washington's calculations regardless of periodic improvements in ties.
"That is gonna give pause institutionally in the United States on how far the US Pakistan relationship can go," she said.
"Even if there are these kind of flourishes in terms of engagement at the leader level and leadership level within Pakistan, with the Trump administration, I think that there are limits to how far that can go."
Biswal's comments come at a time when India has been closely watching signs of renewed engagement between Washington and Islamabad.
At the same time, Biswal noted the broader US-India partnership continues to be driven by strategic, economic and technological convergence, suggesting that concerns over Pakistan should be viewed within the larger context of Washington's regional priorities.
Biswal served as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs from 2013 to 2017, overseeing US relations with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
US-Pakistan relations have historically fluctuated between close cooperation and periods of tension. While security cooperation dominated the relationship during the Cold War and the post-9/11 era, ties have become more complex in recent years as Washington increasingly prioritises strategic competition with China and deepens its partnership with India.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a realistic assessment by Nisha Desai Biswal. Pakistan's China relationship isn't just about friendship - it's strategic and military dependency. No matter how much Washington talks to Islamabad, they can't ignore that Pakistan hosts Chinese bases and shares intelligence with Beijing. Good to see American diplomats acknowledging these limits. 🤔
As an Indian, I appreciate this balanced perspective. While we naturally want stronger US-India ties, we must also recognize that Pakistan feels cornered and seeks security through China. The US shouldn't abandon Pakistan entirely - that would push them even closer to Beijing. Smart diplomacy requires nuance, not just cheerleading for one side.
I find it ironic that the same US establishment that supported Pakistan during the Afghan war and gave them billions in aid now complains about their China ties. Maybe America should look at its own history of using Pakistan as a strategic asset before lecturing them. However, from India's perspective, this is good news - less US-Pakistan engagement means more space for India-US partnership. 🇮🇳
Interesting analysis from someone who knows the region well. I think the real story here is how India has successfully positioned itself as the more reliable partner compared to Pakistan. The US-India strategic convergence on technology, defense, and economics speaks volumes. Pakistan's China dependence is a self-inflicted wound.
Pakistan's foreign policy has always been about playing one power against another. First it was America vs USSR, then America vs China. But times have changed. India's rise means the US doesn't need Pakistan as much anymore. Biswal's comments just confirm what everyone in South Asia already knew - the
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