Pakistans Relations with USA II O LEVELS // IGCSE // EDEXCEL ( Nationhood )

Pakistan studies -- O levels -- History 

 International Relations 

 Pakistan's Relation with the United States of America (USA)

Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with the USA between 1947 and 1988? Explain your answer.[14]

Ans: Firstly, In 1950 Liaquat Ali Khan received an invitation from USSR to visit Moscow. This alarmed USA as USSR was their bitterest enemy, therefore they also invited Liaquat Ali Khan to visit Washington. Liaquat Ali Kimhan preffered to visit USA. This improved Pak-USA relations as Pakistan established an embassy in the USA which gave a start to their diplomatic relations.

           Secondly, during the 1950s Pakistan joined SEATO and CENTO, which were anti-communist agreements designed by the western powers especially the USA to curtail the Russian expansion. This helped to improve Pak-USA relations because on one side Pakistan supported the USA's anti-communist ideology and in return, the USA provided Pakistan with Financial and Military aid that strengthened Pakistan's economy and defense.

           Thirdly, Pakistan provided an airbase to the USA in Peshawer to spy over USSR. In 1960, a U-2 spy plane was shot down by Russians. Although the USSR threatened Pakistan for dire consequences if these activities continued but still Pakistan kept on supporting the USA against the USSR which improves relations of both countries with each other.

           Fourthly, When USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Pak-USA relations improved as Pakistan supported the USA against USSR in the Afghan war, and in return, the USA provided Pakistan with Economic and Military aid which boosted Pakistan's economy and defense, and most important the relations between both countries.

           Fifthly, In 1968 China and India went to war due to border disputes. As China was a communist, therefore the USA sent aid to help India fight. This offended the Pakistan government which argued that at least it should have been consulted before its rivals ( India )given aid. Thus relations deteriorated.

          Sixthly, Ayub Khan the President of Pakistan visited China and USSR during the 1960s,. These visits displeased the USA worsening Pak-USA relations and both China and USSR were communist countries and so rivals of the USA.

          Seventhly, During the Indo-Pak war of 1965, the USA put an arms embargo that was more damaging for Pakistan because its army was entirely trained on western weapons which worsened the relations as Pakistan felt betrayed by its ally' the USA.

         eighty, In the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the USA didn't help Pakistan. This affected the relations adversely due to this lack of support, not only Pakistan lost the war but East Pakistan also became Bangladesh.

        In Conclusion, The relations between both countries were not that good, as the USA supported Pakistan for their own benefit and after the task, they would withdraw their support from Pakistan.