Pakistan’s Failed Attempt to Leverage the US
Before pursuing this ambitious missile development, Pakistan had attempted to influence the Biden administration’s stance on India’s missile capabilities. Pakistani officials repeatedly sought to pressure the US into halting India’s long-range missile development, as reported by Pakistani media Dawn’s sources. According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the Biden administration rejected these demands, and the Pakistani government’s efforts were firmly dismissed. This rejection from Washington led to growing frustration in Islamabad, which shifted its focus towards advancing its own missile programme targeting the US.
The Shaheen-III Missile: A Key Player in Pakistan’s Strategy
Pakistan already possesses the Shaheen-III missile, which has a range of 2,750 kilometres and is capable of striking any location in India. However, as part of its strategic push, Pakistan is now focused on developing missiles with the range to target the US. This shift in focus has significantly heightened concerns in Washington, particularly as Pakistan’s missile programme could also include potential threats to Israel.
While Pakistan continues to bolster its missile development, India has also ramped up its own capabilities, driven in part by the growing security concerns stemming from China’s missile advancements. This escalating missile arms race in the region has drawn attention from the US, which has voiced concerns about both Pakistan’s and India’s long-range missile developments. However, Pakistan’s recent emphasis on expanding its missile programme to target the US has become a new point of contention.
US Response: Sanctions and Increased Scrutiny
In response to Pakistan’s missile development activities, the United States has taken significant measures to curb the programme. In 2023, the Biden administration intensified sanctions, targeting three Chinese companies that were suspected of assisting Pakistan in advancing its missile technology. This move added to the growing strain between the two nations, which has been marked by increasing wariness of Pakistan’s missile ambitions.
The US government had already raised concerns about Pakistan’s missile programme as early as 2015, after the successful test of the Shaheen-III missile. However, with recent developments, the US has taken a more aggressive stance, viewing Pakistan’s missile capabilities as a potential threat to global security. The imposition of sanctions and heightened scrutiny reflects a growing sense of caution in Washington regarding Islamabad’s military advancements.
Pakistan Responds to US Allegations
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has vehemently rejected the US claims, labelling them as “unfounded” and “devoid of rationality.” The ministry responded to US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer’s remarks, which labelled Pakistan’s missile programme as an “emerging threat,” by asserting that the country’s strategic capabilities are purely defensive. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, these capabilities are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and maintaining regional stability, not at threatening any other nation.In a statement, the ministry described the US allegations as “unfortunate,” adding that Pakistan’s missile programme should not be perceived as a threat. It further highlighted the historical cooperation between the US and Pakistan, especially in counter-terrorism efforts, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to engaging constructively with the US on issues related to regional security and stability.
A History of Turbulent US-Pakistan Relations
The bilateral relationship between the United States and Pakistan has always been complex, marked by moments of cooperation and periods of tension. During the Cold War, both nations worked together on various fronts, including in the fight against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks. However, Pakistan’s military coups, its support for the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, and its controversial nuclear weapons programme have been major points of contention between the two countries.
The relationship began to show signs of strain after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, with both nations increasingly at odds over regional security issues. The current missile development dispute is the latest chapter in this long-standing, multifaceted geopolitical rivalry. As tensions grow, the future of US-Pakistan relations remains uncertain, with the missile programme continuing to fuel diplomatic friction.
With the US imposing sanctions and Pakistan rejecting allegations of a threat, the situation between the two countries is poised to remain contentious. How the two sides resolve their differences will have significant implications not just for their bilateral ties, but also for regional and global security dynamics.
