Vantage | What Pakistan Army chief can hope to bring back from his US visit

In a strategic move to reset diplomatic ties, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir embarked on his first official trip to the United States. The visit holds significant importance as General Munir aims to navigate through complex issues and rejuvenate the relationship between the two nations. However, with challenges on multiple fronts, the success of this endeavour remains uncertain.

Financial considerations General Munir’s mission involves not only strategic discussions but also crucial financial negotiations. Traditionally, such matters are handled by the prime minister, but in Pakistan, the army chief often takes the lead in serious negotiations. The financial aspect of the reset includes trade where the US serves as Pakistan’s largest export market, aid with close to $32 billion provided in 20 years and support at the International Monetary Fund where the US holds a substantial voting share of approximately 16 per cent. Amidst the financial discussions, security concerns take centre stage. General Munir faces a formidable challenge in addressing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threat. The recent surge in TTP activities including daring attacks on an army base resulting in over 20 casualties prompts General Munir to seek US support. This involves not only potential military aid but also urging Washington to exert pressure on Kabul given the links between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban. US-Afghanistan relations The US’s engagement with Kabul further complicates General Munir’s efforts. Recent talks and a positive US intelligence assessment suggesting a decline in Al Qaeda’s activities in the region pose challenges. Additionally, the Taliban’s counter-terrorism operations weakening groups like IS-K raise questions about Washington’s willingness to address Pakistan’s concerns. Another pressing issue on the agenda is the deportation of 1.7 million Afghan refugees from Pakistan. General Munir defends the decision citing financial losses caused by the refugees. However, the dilemma lies in the fact that many of these refugees are awaiting American travel documents having assisted the US military in Afghanistan. The potential return of these refugees to a volatile Afghanistan raises humanitarian concerns and adds complexity to the negotiation table. Larger geopolitical landscape General Munir’s visit occurs against the backdrop of a complex global scenario with the US entangled in multiple conflicts and facing domestic challenges. The South China Sea tensions and an impeachment inquiry against the president further contribute to the intricacies of the reset mission. As General Munir strives to reset US-Pakistan relations, the complexities surrounding financial dependencies, security threats and geopolitical challenges underscore the uphill battle he faces. The success of this mission hinges not only on finding common ground but also on capturing the attention of a distracted and internally focused United States. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.