In-House Roundtable Discussion with Foreign Scholars.SVI organized a roundtable discussion with a US delegation held on October 28, 2013 about the US-Pakistan Relations with special focus on the Meeting of Nawaz Sharif with President Barak Obama, and South Asian Nuclear Issues.
The US Delegation
Dr. Peter Lavoy (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence)
Lt Col Joseph R. Clearfield (Military Assistant)
Dr Thomas Green (Director of Pakistan at Pentagon
Christine Smith
Eric Wechtler
Pakistani Delegation
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema
Col. (r) Muhammad Bilal
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal
Mr. Nasurullah Brohi
Ms. Beenish Altaf
Ms. Maria Naseer
Pakistan and the US share a long history of bilateral partnership. Soon after the independence from British Raj in 1947, Pakistan joined alliances with the US. Making US one of the first nations to recognize and reinforce the political existence of Pakistan. However one should not forget that it has always been a two way relationship. Pakistan’s significant role in the normalization of US-China relations back in 1970s will always be appreciated. Similarly during the Cold War, Pakistan had been instrumental in containing Soviet influence in Afghanistan, and securing the US’ interest in the region. Even now Pakistan continues to be US’ front line ally in its war against terrorism.
On the other hand the US has been a vital actor in strengthening Pakistan economically in addition to providing it with the much needed security assurances against the regional and internal threats. However the relationship pattern has witnessed several ebbs and flows. Primarily centered on the security concerns, the US is now increasingly apprehensive of the regional dynamic of South Asia in wake of tactical weapons introduced by India and Pakistan. The United States is of the view that tactical weapons will undermine the deterrent capability of both the states and will hugely impact the strategic stability of the region.
The US delegation’s primary interest was to seek Pakistani views on the prospects of the introduction of tactical nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan and their impact on deterrence stability in South Asia. The US delegation stressed upon the need for greater responsibility to be observed by both India and Pakistan for the regional as well as global peace and stability.
VOTE OF THANKS BY DR. ZAFAR IQBAL CHEEMA
At the end, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema profoundly thanked the entire august audience present in the house and said that their presence is valuable for the events organized by SVI. He paid special thanks to the Guest Speakers and Discussants for their precious inputs that enlightened the audience. He extended his gratitude towards the research and secretarial staff of the SVI for their hard work and dedication towards the SVI.
