The Interplay of Geo-Economics and Geo-Politics in the Foreign Policy of Pakistan (Post 2008)
摘要
This chapter explains the intricate interplay between geo-economics and geo-politics in Pakistan’s foreign policy from 2008 onward, analyzed through a neoliberal theoretical lens. It explores how Pakistan has strategically recalibrated its relations with major powers—the United States, Russia, and China—balancing economic imperatives with security considerations. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) emerges as a transformative project cementing Sino-Pakistani ties while diversifying Pakistan’s strategic partnerships, including warming relations with Russia. The chapter further sheds light on neighboring country dynamics, revealing how geopolitical tensions with India continue to constrain economic cooperation, while engagements with Afghanistan and Iran reflect attempts to leverage economic diplomacy amid regional complexities. It further portrays Pakistan’s evolving relationships across the Muslim world—with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Central Asian Republics—demonstrating how institutional frameworks like the OIC facilitate economic integration. The chapter argues that post-2008, Pakistan’s foreign policy increasingly reflects neoliberal principles of economic interdependence, market-oriented cooperation, and institutional engagement, though geopolitical realities persistently shape the parameters within which geo-economic opportunities were pursued, creating a complex and multifaceted diplomatic landscape.