 "Why Pakistan is still fixated on India while it can learn from its policies and progress")
In its nearly 78-year existence, Pakistan has been consumed by jealousy and a relentless focus on antagonising India, losing sight of its fundamental course as a nation: to progress, protect its citizens and carve out a distinctive path on the global stage. As the old adage goes, “As you sow, so shall you reap.” This truth seems to be catching up with Pakistan. For India, Pakistan is merely a neighbour.
New Delhi has long shifted its focus to becoming an integral player in the global order instead of getting tied up by local disputes. This approach has earned India respect across every sphere of geopolitics, a fact vividly evident during the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20.
The swearing-in of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States marked a key moment in South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, highlighting India’s growing significance in American foreign policy.
It’s early days of the Trump administration, but India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emerged as a key figure in the US’s foreign policy, being among the first foreign dignitaries to meet the newly appointed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. This early engagement reinforced India’s strategic importance to the United States—a development that sparked considerable unease in Pakistan.
In sharp contrast, Bangladesh, which gained independence from Pakistan’s oppressive policies in 1971, has taken a vastly different path. By prioritising economic reforms and social progress, Bangladesh has achieved significant milestones in GDP growth, poverty reduction and education.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHowever, there is a cautious note for Bangladesh as well. Recent political and ideological challenges, including the growing influence of radical groups, have raised concerns about its future direction.
While Bangladesh’s success highlights a stark contrast to Pakistan’s struggles, it also reflects the importance of resisting ideological extremism and governance failures. To sustain its progress, Bangladesh may do well to remain vigilant and avoid the mistakes that have hindered Pakistan.
India’s ascending role in US policy
Even failing to be at par with Bangladesh, Pakistan can only watch India cementing its position as a global player. This trajectory of growth and resilience also aligns with a broader shift in South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, where India’s rising stature has become a focal point in US policy.
Marco Rubio’s tenure as Secretary of State began with a clear focus on addressing China’s growing influence. On his very first day in office, Rubio prioritised multilateral engagements with the Quad nations—India, Japan and Australia—highlighting the US’s intent to strengthen India’s role in the Asia-Pacific region. This marked a noticeable shift in US foreign policy, positioning India as a key ally, perhaps on par with Nato members, Japan and Israel.
Rubio’s actions align with President Trump’s vision of using India as a counterbalance to China’s dominance. This shift carries significant implications, not just for India but also for Pakistan, whose strategic importance to Washington seems to be waning.
The possible Trump-Modi meeting: Strengthening ties
Amid this backdrop, efforts to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump picked up pace. While initial plans for a February summit remains uncertain, the possibility of a bilateral meeting later in the year—especially during a Quad summit in India—highlighted the growing depth of India-US collaboration.
As a senator, Rubio played a key role in pushing for India’s recognition as a major US ally, further exhibiting Washington’s strategic shift toward New Delhi.
Pakistan: A waning priority for the US?
In contrast to India’s rising influence, Pakistan finds itself increasingly marginalised in US strategic calculations. According to Geo TV, Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, described the current state of US-Pakistan relations as a “process of benign disengagement”.
Apart from Pakistan’s support for US evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, there has been little progress in bilateral ties. During the Biden administration, diplomatic engagement was notably limited, with former Secretary of State Antony Blinken never visiting Pakistan.
According to the Dawn, Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Wilson Center, observed that Pakistan’s close alignment with China further complicates its relationship with the US. Washington has consistently criticised China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its associated projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing them as a “debt trap”.
However, Pakistan has steadfastly defended its partnership with Beijing, highlighting the economic benefits of CPEC.
US-China rivalry and Pakistan’s strategic dilemma
Pakistan’s effort to balance its relationships with the US and China is becoming increasingly challenging as tensions between the two superpowers escalate. Kugelman observed that the US has encouraged Pakistan to explore American infrastructure investments as an alternative to Chinese funding, but Islamabad’s growing military and economic ties with Beijing risk further straining its relations with Washington.
This divide is deepened by key appointments in the Trump administration, such as Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, both strong critics of China and vocal supporters of India.
Waltz’s role in shaping US national security policy adds more challenges for Pakistan. A loyal Trump ally, Waltz has consistently supported a strong US presence in the Asia-Pacific to counter China’s influence. His stance aligns with the broader American strategy of building closer partnerships with countries like India, leaving Pakistan with shrinking diplomatic options.
Pakistan’s declining importance in US foreign policy is not just due to its close ties with China but also because of its internal structural problems. Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has struggled with an identity crisis rooted in communal sentiment during its creation, and anti-India narrative afterward.
This divisive ideology slowed nation-building efforts, focussing more on religious nationalism than on socio-economic progress. Over the years, this approach resulted in a fractured political system, periods of authoritarian rule and growing economic dependence.
Pakistan watchers say its economic condition is so dismal that a comparison with India is untenable as New Delhi is well on track to become the fourth-largest global economy by 2026, surpassing Japan. In fact, Deloitte forecast for Indian economy is between 6.5-6.8 per cent.
Bangladesh: A better economy
As it stands, even a comparison with Bangladesh brings no cheer to Pakistan. According to countryeconomy.com, in 2023, Bangladesh outperformed Pakistan across several key economic indicators showcasing a stronger and more stable economic position. Bangladesh’s annual GDP stood at $451.53 billion, over $114 billion higher than Pakistan’s $337.46 billion. This advantage was also reflected in GDP per capita, with Bangladesh at $2,633—an impressive 80 per cent higher than Pakistan’s $1,458.
In terms of debt, Bangladesh’s total debt was $177.62 billion, significantly lower than Pakistan’s $260.82 billion. Furthermore, Bangladesh maintained a healthier debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.34 per cent, compared to Pakistan’s 77.29 per cent, indicating more sustainable debt levels relative to the size of its economy.
Although debt per capita was similar, with Bangladesh at $1,036 and Pakistan at $1,127, Pakistan’s larger total debt burden reflects greater financial strain on its economy. Fiscal discipline was another area where Bangladesh excelled. Its fiscal deficit was $20.67 billion, compared to Pakistan’s $26.04 billion. There is little doubt about Bangladesh’s better management of public finances and expenditure control.
Overall, the data shows Bangladesh’s more robust economic performance marked by higher income levels, more sustainable debt management, and stronger fiscal discipline, while Pakistan continues to grapple with significant economic and fiscal hurdles.
The road ahead
Since its inception, Pakistan has been hindered by a narrow, myopic vision that has consistently obstructed its ability to see beyond its rivalry with India. The pursuit of becoming a global player has never been a priority for Pakistan. Instead, its energies have been disproportionately focussed on its self-imposed mission to undermine India at any cost. This fixation has led Pakistan astray, to the point where it now struggles to compete with a nation that was once a part of its own fabric.
India’s rise on the global stage is not a product of favouritism by the United States or any external power. Instead, it is the result of decades of relentless hard work, strategic investments and a forward-looking vision — it’s a lesson that Pakistan can learn from India, and progress.
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