American Alliances with Asian Countries

Abstract

Geopolitical considerations necessitate alliances with Pakistan. Pakistan borders on Russia and China, lies astride the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, and constitutes a bridge, geographically and otherwise, between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The alliances rest on a firm foundation of common objectives and values that are shared by Pakistan and the United States. The charge that alliances and grant of military aid have generated tension in the areas concerned lacks foundation. To wit, tension in the Middle East has not subsided despite Iraq's withdrawal from the Baghdad Pact; relations between India and Pakistan have lately improved vastly despite continuance of alliances and military aid. The basic cause of Indo-Pakistan tension is the continuance of the Kashmir dispute. Recent developments on India's northern borders underline the urgency of Indo-Pakistan co-operation to meet a common danger. Pakistan has offered to join with India in defense of the subcontinent. This can be possible only if the Kashmir dispute is settled. Economic progress of new Asian countries is not possible without the assurance of continued security. And alliances provide this assurance. They constitute a shield behind which the standard of living of the peoples of Asian allies can be raised.