However, in the last few years, there have been many ups and downs in the help given by the US to Pakistan. This reflects the changing relations between the two countries. The nature of aid has also changed, where military aid was once prominent. At the same time, attention is also being paid to economic and humanitarian aid. In September 2022, the US State Department approved aid of $ 450 million (about Rs 3,750 crore) to Pakistan for the maintenance of its F-16 fighter aircraft fleet. The purpose of this package was to increase Pakistan’s ability to maintain F-16 fleet, which was considered important in dealing with terrorism. This decision was taken after the Trump administration banned military assistance, causing a new twist in the relationship between the two countries.
Human and civic aid
After the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022, the US provided great help in the form of humanitarian aid. The US State Department had given assistance of $ 100 million (about 830 crore rupees) to Pakistan. Its purpose was to provide shelter, food, water and medical help to the flood victims. According to data from the US State Department, Pakistan received a civil assistance of $ 80 million (about 690 crore) in 2023 and 2024. Apart from this, America also helps for development projects in Pakistan. Which includes education, health, energy and agricultural sectors. According to the US Embassy, there is a budget of more than $ 8 million for many such projects. The US also provided assistance to Pakistan during the Kovid-19 epidemic. Which included about 80 million high-quality vaccine doses.
Relations are on mutual interests
The foundation of relations between America and Pakistan rests on ‘mutual interests’ and not on ‘shared values’. Whenever America needs Pakistan for its geopolitical strategies, it has supported and supported Pakistan. At the same time, when America’s interests changed, tension and distance have also come in relations. Pakistan has always received support from America by taking advantage of its geographical location. Whereas the US has used Pakistan according to its strategic needs. South Asia, where both India and Pakistan live, is not just a neighborhood. Rather it is the intersection of nuclear capacity, conceptual stress and global trade routes. Pakistan is in the middle of this strategic board. A country that has historically given something to America, which has never been fully reaching India.
America wanted the base
During the Cold War and then in the early 2000s, especially after 9/11, Pakistan became the entrance to American military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan. This was not just of friendship but something else. America needed airports, needed supply lines, it needed a place to set foot. Pakistan was ready to play the game at the right price with its military-operated government and deep intelligence network. The price was in the form of billions of dollars aid, military equipment and diplomatic security. Not because the US was ideologically in favor of Pakistan, but because it fulfilled a purpose.
Essential for balance of power in the area
Now let’s talk about psychology. The nation, like people, behaves according to their needs and apprehensions. The US in many ways still operates from post -World War II psychology, which considers dominance not a luxury, but a mechanism for survival. This is important. America does not always support allies on the basis of who is right or who is justified. Rather, on the basis of who can help in maintaining balance in the area. In the 1950s and 1960s, the US saw Pakistan as an important ally against the Soviet Union. Pakistan’s geographical location which was close to the southern region of the Soviet Union was important for the US.
Military alliance and relationship with China
Pakistan participated in several military treaties, such as Seato (South East Asia Treaty Organization) and Cento (Central Treaty Organization) with the US. In return, the US provided huge amount of economic and military assistance to Pakistan. In the 1970s, Pakistan played an important role in improving relations between the US and China. The then US President Richard Nixon’s visit to China was made convenient by Pakistan. When the Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan became a ‘frontline state’ for America. The US sent a huge amount of weapons and financial assistance to the Mujahideen fighters of Afghanistan via Pakistan. The main goal of this cooperation was to take the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan. Pakistan helped America to fulfill this purpose. During this time, Pakistan got billions of dollars of assistance from America.
Geophysical balance and China’s match
Some analysts believe that the US maintains relations with Pakistan to balance India’s growing influence. India is a strong and independent country, while Pakistan is considered to be somewhat favorable to America. The US also believes that by maintaining good relations with Pakistan, it can prevent China’s influence from spreading completely in Pakistan. If the US makes a complete distance from Pakistan, Pakistan can go completely into China’s court, which is not in the interest of America.
Being a nuclear power country is also the reason
Pakistan is a nuclear power country. It is important for the US that Pakistan remains a stable country to ensure the safety of its nuclear weapons. If political instability in Pakistan increases, it may increase the risk of nuclear weapons falling in the wrong hands, which will be dangerous for the entire region and the world. America’s attitude towards Pakistan is a continuous attempt to maintain its global influence more than India. This is a strategy to protect his own national interests, where Pakistan has been working as a tool.
