US Partiality and Its Repercussions For Strategic Stability in South Asia

Security generally refers to the absence of perceived threats from internal or external sources, such as economic disparities and inequalities. To address threats, nations seek power (economic, political, and military) and take measures to mitigate their impact. They also aim to acquire more power. Pakistan’s founder, the Quaid-i-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, once stated that “the weak and defenseless, in this imperfect world, invite aggression from others.” Therefore, efforts are made to create a sense of security among citizens while developing tactics and strategies to address potential threats and negative situations.

International politics is characterized by power and economic disparities. Smaller nations face additional security challenges due to the lack of a supranational institution, such as a world government, to regulate interstate relations. Given the nature of the current international, regional, and domestic environment, Pakistan faces numerous security challenges.

Since its inception, Pakistan has had to contend with external threats to its independence and territorial integrity. The situation was further complicated by internal subversion, recurring domestic issues, and upheavals. Pakistan is positioned between India and Afghanistan, and its current relations with both countries have a significant impact on how it views security. To be more specific, India has been the main cause of security problems. Three threats currently confront Pakistan: the persistent threat of growing terrorism emitting from Afghanistan, the threat from India, and the threat resulting from changing domestic circumstances. India’s threats present a difficult problem for Pakistan’s security strategists.

Pakistan has probably suffered more material destruction and fatalities than any other nation when it comes to challenges to the security of the country and its people. Pakistan’s engagement in the War on Terror has resulted in the deaths of nearly 37,000 civilians, over 6,700 military personnel, and over 15,000 troops.
It is widely acknowledged that about $123.13 billion worth of material harm has been inflicted upon Pakistan.

The nation’s defense policy and the defense sector are directly impacted by and connected to all of the listed challenges. To begin with India, it is not essential to get into specifics. India has long been thought to be Pakistan’s greatest rival, the greatest threat to the very existence of the nation. India is investing significant resources in strengthening its armed forces due to its economic success and aspirations as a key actor in global politics. The country is not only a threat to Pakistan but also to China as it sees China as a competitor in the region and sees Pakistan and China as forces that hinder its aim of regional hegemony.

India’s such adventurous recklessness and extremely high spending in the arms sector mounts pressure on Pakistan to make more use of its limited defense budget. For instance, the country is investing over $75 billion, which is a potentially dangerous development that raises concerns. With a primary focus on the US relationship with India and Pakistan, the geopolitical dynamics in South Asia have drawn more attention from around the world. A close look at US sanctions against Pakistan and expanding strategic alliances with others reveals a blatant geopolitical bias. For example, there is a clear pattern of American preference for India, coupled with a policy of restricting Pakistan and penalizing other nations for doing business with it. This partiality demonstrates how the US views and handles Pakistan through an Indian perspective. Which is ironic.

Other nations face restrictions in pursuing peaceful activities aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, while India benefits from exceptions to military technology regulations supported by the US. Recently, the US has begun to impose penalties on Chinese and other businesses for allegedly providing Pakistan with military equipment. The latest US sanctions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile program are deemed discriminatory and pose a threat to regional peace and security, the penalties, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, “have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond.”

Pakistani leaders are extremely alarmed by the recent sanctions the US imposed on their country, believing that this action demonstrates a double standard in US foreign policy. This sentiment is further intensified by Washington’s growing defense partnership with India, including advanced missile systems and high-end technology transfers that have improved India’s military capabilities. These developments are viewed as creating a strategic imbalance in the South Asian region.

Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, has stated that the latest sanctions imposed by the US government, allegedly related to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Programme, will have no impact on the country’s missile capabilities or slow its progress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the sanctions stating that,”240 million people have placed their sacred trust in Pakistan’s leadership to carry out its strategic program. There is no way to undermine the integrity of this trust, which is revered by people of all political persuasions.”

Whereas US partiality and double standard policies are clearly seen as how it ignores India`s massive investment on defense sector and violations of International Standards. There are many hard facts about such violations as in August 2024, a group of individuals was found with illegal possession of highly radioactive material, Californium, valued at US$100 million in India. The incident is just the tip of iceberg. Pakistan has repeatedly voiced concerns about such incidents, which cast doubt on India’s nuclear safety and security. These incidents expose the myth of India’s ‘spotless’ non-proliferation record. It is crucial to evaluate the implications for India, international non-proliferation initiatives, and nearby nations like Pakistan that may be targeted by terrorists using dirty bombs or radioactive material.