Foriegn Policy

In the nascent years following independence in 1947, Pakistan's foreign policy navigated a complex web of competing priorities. Initially, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the nation sought a policy of "friendship with all" and non-alignment. This neutrality aimed to secure international recognition and avoid entanglement in Cold War rivalries. However, the unresolved Kashmir dispute with India cast a long shadow, pushing Pakistan towards a closer relationship with the West. The ideological alignment with Western democracies and the need for military aid during the First Kashmir War (1947-1949) led Pakistan to join the Commonwealth and establish close ties with the United States. This partnership provided crucial military and economic assistance, but also raised concerns about compromising Pakistan's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Pakistan cultivated relationships with Muslim-majority nations, forging a sense of Islamic solidarity. However, these ties remained nascent, with economic and political realities limiting their immediate impact. By the early 1950s, Pakistan's foreign policy reflected a pragmatic approach, balancing its need for Western support with a desire to maintain its independence. This period laid the foundation for Pakistan's complex foreign policy trajectory, forever grappling with regional security concerns, the quest for national identity, and the evolving global geopolitical landscape.