What Pakistan’s political changes mean for China, the US and India

The PML-N reached out to the PPP to form a coalition government. These negotiations resulted in an understanding that Sharif would be their joint candidate for prime minister with Asif Ali Zardari – – a former president and the husband of the late prime minister Benazir Bhutto – for president.

So just how will Pakistan’s political changes affect its foreign policy?

Zardari is likely to try to influence the country’s foreign – and domestic security and economic – policies in an effort to pave the way in the next general election for his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to become prime minister.

04:22

Pakistan’s history of jailed leaders

01:36

China-funded hydropower station set to sharply reduce Pakistan’s carbon emissions

While economic uncertainties may linger due to political, economic and security instability, the strategic and military dimensions of Pakistan’s relationship with China are expected to stay strong.

Islamabad sees value in maintaining positive ties, given the leverage the US holds in international institutions to influence Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic interests.

While Islamabad participates in China-led economic and security structures, it also engages in just enough cooperation with the US to avoid adverse consequences. Despite expanding strategic cooperation with Beijing, Pakistan continues to project its military and strategic significance to the US. These developments are not mutually exclusive.

Encouragingly, the issue of terrorism, which has historically strained relations between the two nations, appears to be decreasing in intensity. While there may still be sporadic incidents involving Kashmir separatists targeting Indian security forces, it is increasingly challenging for India to attribute these