US Sanctions on Pakistan Missile Program Part of Indo-Pacific Strategy, Potentially Bolstering India's Regional Influence, Says Pak Analyst

Recent US sanctions targeting Pakistani entities involved in long-range missile programs are not isolated punitive measures, but rather a calculated move within Washington's broader Indo-Pacific strategy, according to Adnan Aamir, a prominent journalist, researcher, and commentator based in Islamabad.

Aamir argues that these sanctions could significantly alter the geopolitical balance in South Asia, potentially favouring India.

The sanctions, which freeze US assets and prohibit American companies from doing business with designated Pakistani organizations, primarily focus on entities linked to the development of ballistic missiles.

These missiles are considered crucial to Pakistan's defence strategy, particularly against perceived threats from India. By hindering Pakistan's ability to modernize its missile technology, the US may be inadvertently or deliberately shifting the regional power dynamic.

"The decision by Washington to sanction these entities is part of its larger strategic calculus in the Indo-Pacific region," Aamir explains. "The U.S. seeks to maintain a balance that aligns with its interests, particularly in countering China’s influence, but in doing so, it might inadvertently or directly tilt the power dynamics towards India.”

This move has sparked a debate about its potential consequences. Some Pakistani analysts believe the sanctions could push Pakistan closer to China, further complicating US efforts to manage its relationship with both nations. Pakistan and China already share a strong military collaboration, and increased reliance on Beijing could further solidify this alliance.

Furthermore, the sanctions raise concerns about strategic imbalance in South Asia. "By restricting Pakistan’s missile program, the U.S. is effectively enhancing India’s strategic position," Aamir observes. He points to recent US-India defence deals that have bolstered India's military capabilities, potentially allowing it to exert greater influence in regional conflicts.

Pakistani critics argue that the sanctions appear to be selectively enforced, given that India's own nuclear and missile advancements have not faced similar scrutiny from the US. This perceived double standard raises questions about the fairness and consistency of US foreign policy regarding non-proliferation and regional security in South Asia.

 

[op gupta]

Indian and pakistani missile programs can not be treated on equal footing, Pakistani missile program is only India specific and it has bought ballistic missiles parts and technology from china & north Korea; the so-called pakistani analyst has got very myopic vision of Indian missile program. The fact of the matter is that america never supported and will never support pak missile program to counter balance India.

 

[Satya Dev]

New word 'South Asian Power dynamics' added to p@xt@n defence analysts' dictionary. Earlier they were limited to chew words like - Indian hegemony, Indian Cold Start Doctrine, Pakistan's Tactical Nuclear Deterrence, Indo-Pak conflict under Nuclear Overhang, CPEC Game Changer, Strategic Power balance in South Asia - they avoid using the term Indian Subcontinent - LOL!

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The real fact is that whatever sanctions the US may put on Pakistan, it is not going to have an impact as the whole nuclear missile arsenal is being propped by China. It's not that there are some parts coming from the US.

Pakistan is again using the same China card to scare everyone as though no one knows.

Damaging economic sanctions and sweeping military sanctions will work, nothing else.

 

[SGN]

The dynamics have changed since the day the Pakistani army surrendered unconditionally, ran away leaving dead comrades behind or let a terrorist outfit scare them into leaving their outposts... The US sanctions or no sanctions, nothing will change

 

[Kaness1]

Pakistan is already inclined towards China, and whether the US imposes sanctions or not doesn't matter anyhow. Pakistan is and will naturally partner with China and is already the highest user of Chinese arms. So trying to influence the USA to change its decision to sanction Pakistan is useless and meaningless. But if Pakistan develops critical technologies, then it would not be secure. Terrorists and rogue nations will easily get these technologies from Pakistan for a few dollars and by terrorist attack.

 

[BCharlie]

The real fact is that whatever sanctions the US may put on Pakistan, it is not going to have an impact as the whole nuclear missile arsenal is being propped by China. It's not that there are some parts coming from the US.

Pakistan is again using the same China card to scare everyone as though no one knows.

Damaging economic sanctions and sweeping military sanctions will work, nothing else.

Just see Iran. They are under sanctions by the US for almost everything, including co*doms, and neither the Iran population decreased nor their weapon systems and all their missile development. So, being a proxy of China, Pakistan will keep doing what they are doing. They are not even slowing down. After US sanctions on nuclear tech, etc., Pakistan went ahead and made their nuclear weapons, including short and long-range delivery systems. So, as the saying goes, "America, eat your heart out." How are China sanctions doing, including on supply to Lockheed?