US’ policies towards Pakistan and India: A Comparative Study of Pre- and post-9/11 Scenario

Abstract

The United States as a global super power has influenced countries’ relations and international decisions on a huge scale. After the end of the Cold War, it has reigned the international community and world order. The dramatic episode of September 11 attacks further exacerbated its position in the world due to its War on Terror. This approach by the US has completely changed the dealings within the international community which are, without a doubt, effective towards all. An extensive amount of work has been done on War on Terror, the US policies and other active countries involved. However, there is a dearth of literature on the regional conditions and the US bilateral relations with countries, particularly South Asia due to its post 9/11 policy. The study focuses on the US policies and actions towards Pakistan and India after the attacks of the 9/11. The research argues that due to the United States’ diplomatic affairs with these two countries, the conditions have become worse for Pakistan-India bilateral relations. Through qualitative method, the role of the super power has been interrogated by highlighting a comparison of its India-Pakistan relations, which have been problematic since the beginning and the US factor has played a significant role in it after the 9/11 incident. By the end of the study it has been deduced that dealings of all three countries fall in the domain of structural realism where all are working against fear of stability-loss as well as ambition of absolute gain, a determination point in their relations. This scenario mainly by the virtue of the US has put the future of Pakistan-India relations and South Asian region in jeopardy.