Course: Foreign Policy of Pakistan-I (9354) Semester: Autumn, 2023

Level: BS Pakistan Studies

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50

ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Units: 1–4)
Q.1 Discuss the importance of competency and talents of a leader in determination of
foreign policy. (20)
The competency and talents of a leader play a crucial role in the determination of foreign policy
for a nation. Foreign policy involves a complex set of decisions and strategies that shape a
country's relationships with other nations, influence global events, and protect national
interests. Here are several ways in which the competency and talents of a leader impact
foreign policy:

**Strategic Vision:** Competent leaders possess a strategic vision that helps them understand
the global landscape and anticipate future challenges and opportunities. This vision guides the
formulation of foreign policy, ensuring that it aligns with the nation's long-term interests.

**Negotiation Skills:** Talented leaders excel in diplomatic negotiations, a fundamental aspect

of foreign policy. Effective communication, the ability to build consensus, and negotiation
prowess are essential for resolving international disputes, forging alliances, and advancing
national interests on the global stage.

**Crisis Management:** Competent leaders are adept at managing crises, whether they be
diplomatic, economic, or security-related. Their ability to remain calm under pressure and make
informed decisions during crises is vital for maintaining stability and protecting the country's
standing in the international community.

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**Cultural Understanding:** A leader's cultural competency is crucial for effective international
relations. Understanding the customs, values, and perspectives of other nations helps in building
constructive relationships and avoiding misunderstandings that could escalate into conflicts.

**Adaptability:** In the rapidly changing global environment, adaptability is a key trait for
leaders. Competent leaders can adjust foreign policy approaches in response to evolving
geopolitical dynamics, economic shifts, and emerging global challenges.

**Economic Acumen:** Economic considerations often play a significant role in foreign policy
decisions. Leaders with economic expertise can leverage trade policies, sanctions, and financial
instruments to achieve foreign policy objectives and strengthen the nation's economic position in
the world.

**International Collaboration:** Talented leaders recognize the importance of international

collaboration in addressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and public
health crises. They can foster cooperation and lead collective efforts to tackle shared problems.

**Public Diplomacy:** Competent leaders understand the role of public diplomacy in shaping a
nation's image abroad. They can effectively communicate with both domestic and international
audiences, influencing public opinion and building support for foreign policy initiatives.

**Ethical Leadership:** Leaders with strong ethical principles contribute to the development of
a principled and respected foreign policy. Ethical considerations influence decisions related to
human rights, humanitarian interventions, and adherence to international law.

**Risk Management:** Competent leaders assess risks associated with foreign policy decisions
and take calculated steps to mitigate potential negative consequences. They weigh the potential
benefits against the risks and make informed choices that prioritize the nation's interests.

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In conclusion, the competency and talents of a leader are pivotal in shaping a nation's foreign
policy. Effective leadership in the international arena requires a combination of strategic
thinking, diplomatic skills, adaptability, and a deep understanding of global affairs. A
leader's ability to navigate the complexities of international relations directly influences the
success and impact of a country's foreign policy endeavors.

Q.2 How do social structures and institutions affect the formulation of foreign policy of
any country? Elaborate with arguments. (20)

Social structures and institutions play a significant role in shaping a country's foreign policy in
several ways:

1. **Public Opinion and Pressure Groups:** Social structures, including public opinion and
pressure groups, strongly influence foreign policy decisions. Governments often consider
the sentiments of their citizens when formulating policies on international issues. Public
opinion can push governments toward or away from certain foreign policy actions,
impacting decisions on issues like trade, war, alliances, and aid.

2. **Cultural Norms and Values:** Societal norms and values, deeply rooted in a country's
culture, can affect foreign policy. For instance, a country that values human rights highly
may prioritize foreign policies that promote humanitarian intervention or advocate for
global human rights standards.
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3. **Political Institutions:** The structure of political institutions can significantly influence
foreign policy formulation. Democracies may be more responsive to public opinion due to
electoral accountability, while autocratic regimes might prioritize the interests of the ruling
elite. Bureaucratic institutions also shape foreign policy by providing expertise and advice
to policymakers.

4. **Economic Interests:** Social structures often reflect economic interests that drive foreign
policy decisions. Corporate interests, trade relationships, and economic dependencies can
strongly influence a country's international engagements and trade agreements.

5. **Historical Context and Identity:** A nation's historical experiences and identity often shape
its foreign policy. Historical grievances, alliances, and conflicts can have lasting impacts
on how a country approaches international relations. For instance, historical rivalries can
dictate foreign policy decisions even in contemporary times.

6. **Media and Information Dissemination:** The media plays a crucial role in shaping public
opinion and, consequently, foreign policy. Media narratives can influence how citizens
perceive other countries and global events, impacting the government's actions and
decisions.

7. **International Institutions and Alliances:** Social structures also include international

institutions and alliances that a country is a part of. Membership in organizations like the
United Nations, NATO, or regional trade blocs can significantly influence a nation's
foreign policy decisions as it navigates its relationships with other member states.

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8. **Social Movements and Globalization:** Social movements, especially in today's globalized
world, can impact foreign policy. Transnational issues such as climate change, human
rights, and global health crises often lead to collaborations and policy adjustments in
response to global pressures and movements.

In essence, foreign policy is not formulated in isolation but is deeply interconnected with the
society, its values, institutions, and the global context. The interaction between these
factors creates a complex web that governments navigate while shaping their stance on
international affairs.

Q.3 Critically analyze the impacts of Korean War of 1950 on Pakistan’s foreign policy and
economy. (20)

The Korean War, which began in 1950 and ended in 1953, had significant impacts on global
geopolitics, including Pakistan's foreign policy and economy. Here's a critical analysis of
these impacts:

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### Foreign Policy:

1. **Alignment with the United States:**

- Pakistan's involvement in the Korean War strengthened its ties with the United States.
Pakistan, being one of the early members of the United Nations, actively participated in the
UN forces sent to support South Korea.

- The alliance formed during the Korean War marked the beginning of Pakistan's close
association with the U.S. during the Cold War era. This alignment had far-reaching
consequences for Pakistan's foreign policy, shaping its strategic choices in subsequent
decades.

2. **Cold War Dynamics:**

- The Korean War occurred in the backdrop of the Cold War, where the world was divided into
communist and non-communist blocs. Pakistan's role in supporting the UN against North
Korea aligned it with the anti-communist forces, influencing its foreign policy to lean
towards the West.

3. **SEATO and CENTO:**

- The Korean War contributed to the formation of regional alliances, such as the Southeast
Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO).
Pakistan joined these alliances, reinforcing its anti-communist stance and solidifying its
position in the Western camp.

### Economy:

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1. **Military Expenditure:**

- Pakistan's participation in the Korean War required military mobilization, leading to

increased defense spending. This had both short-term and long-term effects on the
economy, as resources were diverted towards military needs.

2. **Economic Aid:**

- In return for its support in the Korean War, Pakistan received economic and military aid from
the United States. This aid was crucial for Pakistan's economic development and military
capabilities. However, it also increased dependency on foreign assistance.

3. **Strategic Importance:**

- Pakistan's involvement in the Korean War enhanced its strategic importance in the eyes of
Western powers. This, in turn, attracted economic and military assistance, influencing
Pakistan's economic trajectory. The country became a key player in the Western security
architecture in the region.

4. **Long-Term Economic Impact:**

- While the immediate aftermath of the Korean War brought economic benefits to Pakistan, the
long-term consequences included a reliance on foreign aid and a pattern of high defense
spending. These factors had implications for economic sustainability and development in
subsequent decades.

### Overall Assessment:

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The Korean War significantly influenced Pakistan's foreign policy by aligning it with the United
States and shaping its stance in the Cold War context. Economically, the war had both
positive and negative effects, providing short-term aid and benefits but also contributing to
long-term challenges such as reliance on foreign assistance and high defense spending. The
enduring impact of the Korean War on Pakistan's geopolitical position and economic
policies underscores the interconnectedness of global events and their repercussions on
individual nations.

Q.4 Pakistan forcefully argued that SEATO should be against all types of aggression but
the West and allies restricted it to communist aggression only. What was the rational
of Pakistan for wanting SEATO against all types of aggression and why had the West
rejected Pakistan’s proposal? (20)

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1954 as a collective defense
organization aimed at preventing the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Pakistan, a
member of SEATO, advocated for a broader interpretation of the organization's mission,
arguing that it should be against all types of aggression, not just communist aggression.
Pakistan's rationale for this broader scope was likely influenced by its geopolitical concerns
and regional dynamics.

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Pakistan, which shares borders with both India and Afghanistan, faced security challenges from
various sources, not just the communist threat. By advocating for SEATO to be against all
types of aggression, Pakistan sought a more comprehensive security umbrella that could
address a range of potential threats, including those from non-communist sources. This
approach aligned with Pakistan's desire for a broader and more flexible security
arrangement.

However, the Western powers, particularly the United States, had a specific focus on containing
the spread of communism during the Cold War. They were primarily concerned about
communist expansion in Southeast Asia and were less inclined to broaden SEATO's scope
to cover non-communist forms of aggression. The Western powers were focused on
creating a united front against the perceived threat from the Soviet Union and communist
movements, and they may have considered a broader mandate for SEATO as diluting that
focus.

In essence, the rejection of Pakistan's proposal by the West was driven by the geopolitical
dynamics of the Cold War and the specific focus on countering communism in Southeast
Asia. The differing priorities and security concerns of the member states contributed to the
limitation of SEATO's mission to communist aggression only.

Q.5 What was U-2 incident of 1960 and why had this incident provoked aggression of the
USSR against Pakistan? (20)
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The U-2 incident of 1960 refers to the downing of an American U-2 spy plane over Soviet
territory on May 1, 1960. The U-2 aircraft, piloted by Francis Gary Powers, was on a
reconnaissance mission, gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The incident heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The U-2 was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying at altitudes beyond the
reach of Soviet air defenses. However, on May 1, 1960, Powers' U-2 was shot down by a
Soviet surface-to-air missile near Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) in the Soviet Union.
Powers survived the crash but was captured by the Soviets.

The U-2 incident had significant diplomatic consequences. Initially, the United States denied the
true nature of the aircraft and its mission, claiming it was a weather research plane that had
strayed off course. However, the Soviet Union presented evidence of the downed U-2 and
captured Powers, forcing the U.S. to acknowledge the reconnaissance nature of the
mission.

As for the connection to Pakistan, there isn't any evidence or historical record to suggest that the
U-2 incident provoked aggression by the USSR against Pakistan. The incident primarily
strained U.S.-Soviet relations, and any tensions between the USSR and Pakistan during that
time would have been related to separate geopolitical issues.

It's crucial to note that during the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union were
engaged in various proxy conflicts and alliances around the world, but the U-2 incident
itself did not directly lead to aggression against Pakistan by the USSR. If there are specific
details or sources you are referring to regarding this claim, I would recommend verifying
the information for accuracy.

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