Foreign Policy Part 1

1. Definition
2. Pre-theory of foreign policy
3. What does it mean to other countries
4. Main objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy
5. Military advancement — a defect of foreign policy
6. Disadvantages tor not having independent foreign policy
7. Imbalanced current foreign policy of Pakistan and its impact
8. Conclusion

Foreign Policy is a strategy or planned course of action developed by the decision makers of a state aimed at achieving specific goals defined in terms of ‘national interest’. It is the out put of a state into the global system, the outcome of whatever foreign policy process exists within the state or not. The foreign policy of a country, however, cannot be static. As remarked by Lord Palmerton, ‘’in international relations there can be no eternal friend nor can there be eternal enemy. The only eternal factor is the national interest. That why the foreign policy of a country continues to evolve according to the changing circumstances. The most successful being the one that influences or controls other states, and gets them to behave in ways beneficial to one’s own state.

There are several other definitions of foreign policy e.g. one way to approach the concept of foreign policy is to break it into its component parts-foreign and policy. So the policy as a decision or set of decisions or programmes that act as a guide to behavior. Policy is a guide to an action or a set of actions intended to realize the goals, the organization has set for itself. Policy itself is then rooted in the concept of choice-choosing actions to achieve one’s goals.

The best known theory, the pre-theory of foreign policy was presented by James Rosenan in mid 1980. Rosenan assumed that three aspects of the state took particular importance i.e., size, economic development and the nature of the political system. Rosenan noted that we must try to determine the “relative potencies” of these independent variables. He claimed that all possible independent variables or influence on foreign policy, could be classified into five categories first: idiosyncratic (having to do with the characteristics of individual decision markers); second, role of decision makers; third, government; fourth, societal and fifth systematic influence (all the stimuli and influences that are impinging on the state from outside).

Foreign policies can also be described as an expression of a nation-state’s sovereignty. That is why all foreign policies are meant to spring from the internal state of the country. After considering all the different definitions of foreign policy, we can draw the conclusion that Foreign Policy is the privilege of big powers-countries that are sovereign and economically and politically viable, who can make events happen like Vietnam or the Afghan war. The foreign policies of other states make nothing happen best. For small developing countries like Pakistan, foreign policy is a device of adjustment to events that the big states cause to take place. This is what was observed during the cold war that such countries inclined in favour of one power bloc or the other and called it its foreign policy. In this ways their foreign policy assertions were more poetic than real and brought heartburn.

In short we can conclude that foreign policy refers to a consistent course of actions followed by one nation to deal with another nation or region, or international issue. A country’s foreign policy may reflect broad national objectives or be a very specific response to a particular situation. A country can achieve its foreign policy goals in several ways. It can use diplomacy—that is, peaceful negotiations with other countries. It can employ economic actions such as giving money or other aid to another country or restricting trade with that nation, it also can resort to military force. A country’s foreign policy can be influenced by many different variables, including its historical alliances with other nations, its culture type of government, size, geographic location, economic ties, and military power. A country’s foreign policy is usually aimed at preserving or promoting its economic and political interests abroad and its position in the world.

As regard the Foreign Policy of Pakistan, the plain truth is that Pakistan has always had fundamental foreign policy objectives or goals whether farsighted or short-sighted, successful or unsuccessful In some cases these goals or determinants notably entangling alliances” were pursued with a blind devotion long after the reasons for their existence had passed, and when their continued existence did positive harm .Nevertheless, the main objectives for Pakistan’s foreign policy have always been security and economic development. Security includes both defence and preservation of ideology.

As far as the defence or national integrity of the country is concerned, from the day of independence Pakistan was involved in a bitter and prolonged struggle for her very existence and survival. Since beginning Pakistan is passing through a trial and error and due to the wrong policy of power elite not only did we lose East Pakistan in 1971, but even today Pakistan’s greatest international threat, as well as its most critical vulnerability is national integration, it is unfortunate that our policy makers have been unable to resolve the question of national interest and they have failed to assume as to what should be their policy goals.

A threat to a state can come in many forms and it is futile for a government to prepare and maintain a military force for physical defence because the prime objective for any nation is to assure its own survival as a sovereign power. The recent crisis in the Middle East show that Iraq who had one million trained military force failed to defend its sovereignty on account of its defective foreign policy. The main threat Pakistan had to face was from India. The attitude Of India has influenced the policy of Pakistan towards many other countries. It was also India’s hostile attitude which compelled Pakistan to align herself with the west in the interest of its security. Subsequently, Pakistan became the member of American sponsored alliances, SEATO and CENTO. After joining these pacts Pakistan became America’s most allied ally in Asia.

Although, Pakistan did have advantages from these pacts such as military and economic assistance we had to face several disadvantages. The most important of these is that Pakistan lost its independence of action and its relations with other countries were affected. Up to 1954 Pakistan had an independent policy. According to Jinnah, ‘We want friendship with all nations of the World and enmity with none.” After joining these pacts, the good relations with the Muslim countries were affected badly because the previous image of non-alignment was shattered. Further, a main disadvantage was over the Kashmir issue Which is closely linked to the integrity of our country. Pakistan not only lost support of the Muslim countries over this issue but also of Russia which before that was neutral on Kashmir but later supported India. Nehru had already refused to hold any plebiscite in Kashmir. Further, Russia vetoed every resolution of the Security Council on Kashmir. The only relations which improved during the 70’s were with China.

If economic development is taken into consideration which is the most important function of [a foreign policy aiming at the maintenance of peace, next to adjusting frontiers and safeguarding approaches is to improve the economic condition of one’s own and neighboring countries. Pakistan’s joining of EATO and CENTO was also prompted by the need of development and desire for the V.S. to participate in Pakistan’s development through economic aid. Pakistan did get massive aid till 89. Due to Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan, because of its geopolitical location, became important for V.SA till 89. Afterwards, however, America was more inclined towards India. In present time Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a serious hurdle between V.S Pakistan relations. The present government did say that they would not rely on aid in future but this claim was not repeated again.

If we take into account the impact of the current foreign policy of Pakistan upon various issues and its relations with other countries we can observe that the role of leadership in our country’s social and political life has not been satisfactory. Our leadership was unsuccessful in adopting a balanced policy for the greatest interest of the country. In our 55 years of history, we have undergone one-man rule for over 30 years. During these years we had been ruled over by people with complete authority, responsible to none and accountable for nothing. The fall of Dhaka (1971) was a black sign in the history of Pakistan when it suffered a military defeat at the hands of Indian army.

Now the situation of the foreign policy is worsening even more and it seems that we hardly have a foreign policy amidst all the current official preening over Afghanistan and Kashmir one supposed by a ,,glorious success already chalked up, the other a triumph just around the corner. Pakistan did have a great influence on Afghanistan war but due to the mishandling of the issue the great Afghan victory has turned into a nightmare. Pakistan failed to ensure a peaceful future in Afghanistan. The situation is left uncertain and unstable. The policy on Kashmir problem is no better. Ridding piggy back on the immense sacrifices being made by Kashmiris may only create the illusion of one’s getting anywhere after all.