PAKISTAN’s diplomacy to end the war between Iran and the US has been in full swing during the last few days, and apparently, these efforts are yielding results, as hinted by statements from both sides. The outcome of the talks between Iran and the US will become clear soon, but the war has already triggered a shift on the global strategic chessboard, where Pakistan has found a new role. Pakistan seems to have accepted this role and is tailoring its geopolitics accordingly; however, this will require more than mere adjustment — perhaps a review of its existing strategic doctrine, which views the world through an India-centric lens.

Diversifying the strategic approach would not be difficult for Pakistan, but bringing it into a realistic framework could make the task complex, as Pakistan’s security doctrine has remained monolithic and India-centric, while also carrying an ideological flavour, — that is, to act as the Muslim world’s saviour and custodian of its interests. The changing global political order has presented Pakistan with a strong opportunity to advance the ideological dimension of its strategic doctrine in West Asia, while rethinking its core India-centric security outlook.

Kamran Bokhari, a prominent strategic analyst based in the US, has noted that Washington has assigned Pakistan a significant role in the changing global order, yet its confrontation with India does not align with this emerging role. However, it remains to be seen what exactly Pakistan will gain from the new global........

© Dawn