Islamabad (Khyber Mail): U.S. foreign policy experts believe that South Asia will continue to be a relatively low priority under a potential second term for former U.S. President Donald Trump. This consensus emerged during a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and the Metropolitan International University College (MIUC) in Islamabad, where diplomats, researchers, students, and journalists gathered to discuss the future trajectory of U.S. foreign policy towards the region.
Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, noted that Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy would likely remain unchanged, complicating Pakistan’s efforts to navigate its position due to the growing influence of China. On India, Kugelman remarked that while there could be shifts in priorities, the overall trajectory of U.S.-India relations would remain positive.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the IRS, highlighted that Trump’s aggressive stance on tariffs, immigration, and the “China factor” could pose additional challenges, both bilaterally and regionally. However, he stressed that Pakistan and the U.S. had a long-standing bilateral relationship that had endured despite its ups and downs. Saleem pointed out the potential for greater cooperation between the two countries in counterterrorism, particularly with the re-emergence of terrorism in Afghanistan.
Dr. Hassan Abbas, a distinguished professor at the NESA Centre in Washington D.C., suggested that two critical elements of U.S.-Pakistan relations — counterterrorism collaboration and the Fulbright scholarship program — were likely to remain strong and dynamic under Trump. He added that the economic ties between the two nations were expected to endure, despite the protectionist stance that has characterized Trump’s approach to global trade.
Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar emphasized Trump’s preference for bilateral dealings, not only with South Asian countries but globally, attributing it to his business-oriented mindset. This approach, Asghar noted, would shape the nature of U.S. engagements with the region.
Renowned journalist and author Zahid Hussain echoed the sentiment that Trump’s engagement with South Asia, including Pakistan, would likely remain limited. He observed that developments in Afghanistan would play a pivotal role in shaping Trump’s future engagement with both the Taliban and Pakistan.
Mr. Walid Mustaq, CEO of MIUC, emphasized the economic dimension of U.S.-Pakistan relations, noting that since the U.S. is Pakistan’s largest export market, strengthening bilateral ties could open new opportunities for Pakistan’s entrepreneurial and export sectors.
The seminar, moderated by prominent media anchor Faisal Rehman, featured insightful contributions from experts and policymakers. The event underscored the importance of recalibrating Pakistan’s approach to U.S. foreign policy, especially as the geopolitical landscape in South Asia continues to be influenced by the Indo-Pacific strategy and China’s growing presence in the region.