American Alliance and Aid in Pakistan

One exception to Pakistan’s general lack of intimate foreign interaction is its alliance with the U.S. The U.S. and Pakistan established diplomatic relations just a few years after Pakistan’s independence, and today the U.S. government continues to work tirelessly to economically support the struggling civilian government in Pakistan.

America’s relationship with Pakistan began when U.S. President Eisenhower offered economic and military aid to Pakistan in the early 1950’s. Pakistan, in return, joined an alliance designed to check the spread of Communism and hosted U.S. military bases in the region. In 1954, Pakistan also joined SEATO and the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, further strengthening ties with the United States. Between the years of 1954 and 1965, Pakistan received upwards of 1.3 billion dollars in U.S. aid.

Needless to say, India was greatly displeased with this arrangement, and turned to the Soviet Union in retaliation. India also revoked its promise for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Today, the Obama administration continues to send aid to Pakistan, although corruption in the nation makes economic investment difficult. The plan, designed to increase the Pakistani population’s acceptance of civilian government, has yet to be executed – because there are so few legitimate and civilian-government-owned places to invest the money. However, the American infatuation with Pakistan will no doubt continue for many years to come.