The new president of the US Joe Biden is all set to take office. Biden will have a different set of challenges, as compared to the time when he was Obama’s vice president. Three areas will remain crucial for him in the South Asian region; the Afghan peace process, the interests of Pakistan, and the United States. He will have to balance US- India relations and the position of Pakistan on the Abraham Accord in the Islamic world and the Middle East.
Afghan Peace Process
Spoilers are already active from inside the Afghanistan government and the Indian strategic community. Pakistan is in support of the Afghan peace process and playing a very prominent role to bring peace to Afghanistan. It is not clear yet what the Biden administration will do with Trump’s agreement to withdraw all the US troops from Afghanistan. Taliban has agreed to proceed with the accord and told the new coming administration that “The Islamic Emirate would like to stress to the new American president-elect and future administration that implementation of the agreement is the most reasonable and effective tool for ending the conflict between both our countries.” They stressed that if the accord will be canceled, Afghanistan might go under violence again.
Kashmir Issue
Modi’s regime is violating human rights in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOK) and with a discriminatory anti-immigration law. As Biden said, the current ideals are “Inconsistent with the country’s long tradition of secularism and multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy.” India has not made itself strong in the region but has, in a way, contracted, as it is unilaterally acting on Kashmir and towards the Muslims.
Pakistan expects a balance between US-India and US- Pakistan relations. The strategic partnership of the US-India and collaboration in Indo-Pacific region will continue to be a big challenge for Pakistan.
Pakistan and China have strategic interests in each other, which will never be compromised anyway. Pakistan will not compromise on CPEC, and the United States has to realize this as well. National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf said, “We ultimately want to see ourselves as an economic melting pot for the region.” Pakistan supports China and this will not change.
Pakistan expects a balanced approach by the United States in the region as Biden will rearrange the administration. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan believes Biden will have a different approach than Trump. The Biden administration will support peace in the region.
