Michael Kugelman, a leading expert on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India and their relations with the United States, stated that Washington desires cordial relations with Islamabad and views it as a crucial ally in South Asia.
During an interaction with researchers at the Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh (CISSS), he told the audience that the United States is eager to maintain good relations with Pakistan, despite the close relationship between Washington and New Delhi, according to a statement issued by the Karachi-based institute.
Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, also discussed the impact of intensifying and rising geopolitical tensions among the region’s major powers.
In the context of US efforts to counter China and China-India border tensions, he explained the rationale behind the expanding defence partnership between Washington and New Delhi, stating that it is the result of four foundational agreements between the two nations, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
He noted, however, that India is not in a position to be a “net security provider” in the region, as the US “Indo-Pacific Strategy” envisages.
Kugelman, while discussing Indo-China tensions, emphasised that despite some “hot borders” in the region, such as India’s skirmishes with China, the Line of Control (LoC) had remained peaceful since early 2021 due to an agreement between Pakistan and India to observe a ceasefire along the LoC.
He concurred with the notion that India lacked a plan to deal with a two-front situation, facing Pakistan and China simultaneously.
In response to questions about Western silence on human rights abuses by India against its minorities and the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the selective application of the “rules-based international order” the scholar stated that foreign policy decisions in major global capitals are based on “realpolitik” — a pragmatic approach that disregards ethical considerations.
While discussing the future prospects for young Pakistani researchers in the United States, Kugelman disclosed that the Wilson Center was offering fellowships to Pakistani thought leaders as part of its “Pakistan Initiative”
Additionally, he expressed interest in establishing a collaborative relationship between CISSS and Wilson Center, which could involve joint research projects.
