Foreign Policy of Emotions Amidst 75 years of Independence

Over the last two decades, the world has witnessed an inclination towards the role of emotions in shaping the foreign policy of global states. It’s been 75 years since the advent of Pakistan. The last few years have been marked by an amalgamation of challenges and prospects.

With respect to the foreign policy of Pakistan, values, morals, and ethics have always dominated Pakistan’s foreign policy. Today, the challenges of the dwindling economy facing the country are somehow directly or indirectly linked with foreign policy dominated by emotions. It would not be wrong to say that the driving force behind the advent of Pakistan was religious solidarity. Unfortunately, the Islamic world as a whole was unable to form a powerful political and economic entity. The Article 40 of the constitution of Pakistan stresses Islamic unity and good relations with Muslim states. Our emotions have somehow hampered the growth of Pakistan.

The country has been unable to look outside the box owing to the dominance of emotions in our foreign policy. Considering the example of China and India, who, despite the border dispute, still continued trade relations. In terms of Afghanistan, which shares a long border with Pakistan, warm relations were expected due to religious and cultural similarities, but it all turned out to be a sham due to instability in the state.

With respect to developing a relationship with the western world, our lack of neutrality and neutral foreign policy have brought the country to the point where it stands today. As national interest stands at the heart of foreign policy, for the last 75 years, the country’s foreign policy has been dominated by emotions and a prolonged enmity with neighbouring countries.

Pakistan can alter its foreign policy choices by focusing on its contemporary national interests. National interests should be prioritised more than emotions and feelings. It is improvising its relationship with all the potential holding states of the world for a prosperous future. Fostering good relations with ASEAN states and the Middle East to strengthen Pakistan’s economy has become an urgent need. Emotions and feelings have always refrained Pakistan from thinking out of the box.

Therefore, on the occasion of Pakistan celebrating its silver jubilee, it is pertinent to prioritise national interests in foreign policy rather than mere emotions, which have undermined the potential of Pakistan.