Explaining Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Escaping India

by Aparna Pande

Pakistan has over the decades become a hotbed for the terrorist ideology often referred to as Jihadism. This book investigates the underlying principles of Pakistan s foreign policy from 1947 until the present day, and explains the rise of Jihadism as an offshoot of Pakistan s security concerns.

The book goes on to discuss that from its inception as a separate state, Pakistan s foreign policy focused on seeking parity with India and escaping from an Indian South Asian identity. The desire to achieve parity with its much larger neighbour led Pakistan to seek the assistance and support of allies. The author analyses the relationship Pakistan has with Afghanistan, United States, China and the Muslim world, and looks at how these relationships are based on the desire that military, economic and diplomatic aid from these countries would bolster Pakistan s meagre resources in countering Indian economic and military strength. The book presents an interesting contribution to South Asian Studies, as well as studies on International Relations and Foreign Policy.

Genres: Pakistan

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2011

Reviews

[Gary Shostak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pande's explanation of the history & evolution of Pakistan's foreign policy as essentially in reaction to it neighbor India goes well past the historical dispute about Kashmir. Excellent book for those with a deep interest in South Asia and the Indo-Pakistan relationship. Unusual for an Indian scholar to have such a keen understanding of its longtime rival/enemy/neighbor.