Speech by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the National Defence University

(18 January 2010)

President National Defence University

Lt. General Muhammad Yousaf

Participants of the Eleventh National Security Workshop,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I wish to thank Lt. General Muhammad Yousaf, President National Defence University for inviting me to address the distinguished participants of this workshop.

NDU is a premium institution of the country.

It performs the necessary role of an incubator of our future leadership. Its courses, deliberations and workshops, therefore, carry great value.

Your views carry great weight.

I wish to avail this opportunity to share my ideas, and also learn from you. This interactive session should be a two-way exchange. In today’s globalized world, foreign policy formulation and implementation has grown more complex and confounding. Domestic issues can have a profound impact on a country’s relations with the outside world.

And foreign relations impact directly the domestic situation.

Foreign policy formulation, in a twenty-first century democracy, is not a simple exercise. Vested interests, public opinion, the media, pressure groups, corporations and a host of other entities impinge upon, and have a say, in policy formulation. A democracy, more often than not, has to operate on the principle of consensus building. We have broadened our base of consultation, strengthened Inter-Ministerial consultative mechanisms, roped in strategic institutions and think tanks, and launched a highly interactive dialogue with relevant parliamentary committees.

What’s more, we are engaging with the private sector to promote economic diplomacy and Pakistan’s economic interests abroad. But there is also one factor that in my view has not changed all the transformations in the domestic, regional and international architectures, notwithstanding. The plain truth is that Foreign policy is and will remain a function, a derivative and a reflection of national power. It can be nothing more, nothing less.

With this small food for thought, I turn to Pakistan’s foreign policy.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our foreign policy has traditionally been determined by our geo-strategic environment, the baggage of history and our quest for security. We inherited a difficult external environment that necessitated prioritizing pursuit of security objectives. A history of Pakistan’s foreign policy, with all its hues, controversies, all its ifs and buts, would consume considerable time and effort. I will restrict myself here to the environment that the democratic Government inherited, and has to deal with. We inherited a difficult domestic security and economic situation. We were challenged on many fronts; it was and remains a challenging situation. Terrorism and extremism are important areas impinging upon our internal as well as external environment. These phenomena are the fall-out of three decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

Religion was deliberately exploited by the west to defeat the red army. But thereafter, Afghanistan, along with its devastated social, physical and economic infrastructure, was all but abandoned. Pervasive poverty, weak governance, lack of opportunities, ignorance and international neglect all created the right conditions for germination of extremist ideologies. The Taliban are a product of that era.

And now the Frankenstein has come back to haunt us.

Terrorism remains the most imminent threat we face. It is compounded by trans-regional flows of illicit weapons, money and narcotics, as well as the porous nature of the border with Afghanistan. Contrary to what is claimed, it is Pakistan that is impacted by the developments in Afghanistan. Regrettably, the US and the west in the past eight years have been following a flawed approach to tackle the menace. The symptom was attacked, but the disease was spared. Insufficient resources were allocated to reconstruction and development, and to winning the hearts and minds. In Afghanistan, poppy cultivation and drugs trafficking, that provided the main source of terror funding, was never seriously addressed. There is now greater realization of past errors.

But, regrettably, also a propensity to commit new ones.

We have taken careful note of President Obama’s Afghanistan policy. We have concerns and red lines; which we have effectively communicated to the Americans. To ensure that there is no adverse fall out on Pakistan, we remain in touch with our American friends. To supplement the military surge, a number of international initiatives are in the offing. I have recently returned from Abu Dhabi after attending a conference of special envoys on Afghanistan. The United Kingdom is hosting the London Conference on Afghanistan on 28 January. It will reaffirm the international community’s engagement with Afghanistan. It will be preceded by a regional summit of Afghanistan and its neighbours in Turkey, and an SCO meeting of senior officials in Moscow.

Pakistan is, and will be, playing an active and constructive role in all these initiatives. We strongly support the Afghan-led process of reintegration and reconciliation. We are willing to help fast track training and capacity building of Afghan national institutions. We wish to develop a regional consensus, reaffirming Afghanistan’s historic neutrality. This consensus must emanate from Afghanistan and its immediate neighbours. It has to be voluntary and indigenous.

Which is why it has to evolve naturally out of the various processes currently underway. Pakistan is doing its bit to promote such consensus. Day before yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting my colleagues from Iran and Afghanistan. Together, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the lynchpins in any effort to restore peace and stability. Our Islamabad meeting will help revive the trilateral track we had initiated prior to the Afghan and Iranian Presidential elections.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Democracy in Pakistan has proved to be an important asset that has helped project Pakistan’s strengths abroad. Our democratic legitimacy as well our ability to forge consensus, particularly in the fight against terrorism and extremism, has won recognition and appreciation abroad. Therefore, despite multiple challenges we have met with successes in the foreign policy arena. The democratic leadership is striving for peace, prosperity and stability in the region and globally. The end objective is to achieve economic development that benefits the people.

Our foremost achievement, to my view, has been to forge a domestic consensus to combating the threats posed by terrorists and extremists. Today, as never before, Pakistan’s people, its Government, political forces and State institutions are united in their resolve to address the menace. This national resolve was at play when an area one-third the size of the United Kingdom was cleared of terrorists and miscreants within ten short weeks. Managing the nearly 2 million displaced was a daunting task, that was made possible through the cooperation and generosity of the people of Pakistan. This was all essentially a national effort. We were also successful in mobilizing international assistance for the displaced persons. And this national resolve is again at display, as our armed forces march into the terrorist heartlands in South Waziristan, and score victory upon victory.

The terror attacks, tragic as they are, will not shake our resolve. They are a sign of desperation; of a foe with less and less space. Our efforts are recognized today, by the entire world. They have given us the moral high ground. Our armed forces have achieved what others have failed to accomplish in our neighbourhood. Instead of asking to do more, today we are asked ‘how can we help more?’ The international opinion is galvanized in Pakistan’s favour. It is now sympathetic to Pakistan’s needs and concerns.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The second major challenge the democratic Government inherited was the economic one. Our currency was in free fall. Reserves had depleted. Under these circumstances, Pakistan entered into a Stabilization Programme with the International Monetary Fund. The Programme is being implemented successfully. With the result that investor confidence is returning, stocks are resurging and reserves are once again nearing record levels. But we are not stopping here.

The democratic Government is placing a lot of emphasis on economic diplomacy. An economic diplomacy wing is in the process of being set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And we have forged an effective framework of international support to Pakistan, in the shape of Friends of Democratic Pakistan.

FODP is not about aid, it is not about a donor-recipient relationship. FODP is about the international community coming together in solidarity with the Government and people of Pakistan. In helping Pakistan build its capacity, realize its inherent strength. The first Summit of Friends of Democratic Pakistan was an outstanding success.

Following up on that, a meeting of the corporate sectors of the Friends, under the rubric of Public Private Partnership, will be held in Dubai shortly. I, along with the Foreign Minister of UAE, will co-chair that meeting.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With these words, may I now come to Pakistan’s immediate neighbourhood. With India we seek a relationship of equality; based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and non-interference. Our principled stand has been reiterated in every engagement we have had with India. The issues of water, security, terrorism and Kashmir have been forcefully raised with India in all our interactions, at all levels. While India remains stubbornly fixated on Mumbai, we have called on the Indian side to respect the commitment given at Sharm El-Sheikh. There, the two Prime Ministers, in the Joint Declaration, declared that the two sides had

a). considered the entire gamut of relations

b). agreed that dialogue was the only way forward, and

c). action on terrorism should not be linked to the Dialogue process.

The Joint Declaration included for the first time a clear reference to threats in Balochistan and other areas in Pakistan.

It also underscored that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan “including all outstanding issues”. The reference was to all issues in the composite dialogue process, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government is convinced that the Composite Dialogue provides the framework for discussion on all outstanding issues. These outstanding issues include: the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, matters relating to peace and security, terrorism and drug trafficking, Wullar barrage, trade and economic interaction, cultural interaction, Sir Creek and Siachin It is for India to decide what kind of a relationship it wants with Pakistan. We are convinced that the Joint Statement at Sharm El Sheikh affords a good basis for forward movement.

We hope to build on the agreements between Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reflected at Sharm El Sheikh. We remain cognizant of India’s historic hostility towards Pakistan, its Pakistan-specific military capabilities, and its increasingly evident destabilizing role in FATA and Balochistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have moved away from the days of acrimony. With the signing of the Joint Declaration on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation, in January 2009 during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Kabul, we are following a forward-looking roadmap for the bilateral relationship and for the region.

We are negotiating a fresh Transit Trade Agreement with Afghanistan; and also working on a substantive trans-regional development agenda. In that context, we hosted the Third Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan, which, for the first time, identified a set of tangible projects of quick gestation. Pakistan maintained studied neutrality in the run-up, during and after the Afghan Presidential Election. This was widely appreciated by the international community. With the difficult election process now over, and President Karzai having been inaugurated for his second term in office, we hope to pick up the threads.

President Karzai has been extended an invitation to visit Pakistan.

With Iran, our relations have also improved immensely.

Bilateral engagement at the highest level has taken place with the President’s visits to Tehran for the ECO summit, and the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Trilateral Summit. We have made significant progress on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, electricity and railroad project. Plans have been prepared to link Pakistan with Turkey and onward with Europe by rail, through Iran. With China, we have the most comprehensive economic, political and strategic relationship.

We greatly value this relationship. We are working closely with China at all levels for mutually beneficial relations. Bilateral engagement is taking place at the highest political levels. Our President’s personal guidance, and his decision to visit China every quarter, has helped follow-up and implement decisions regarding our multifaceted strategic relations. We have succeeded in convincing the United States of the utility of a stand-alone relationship. Ambassador Holbrooke was here a few days ago, to discuss resumption of the Strategic Dialogue with the United States.

A decision to this effect was taken during my meeting with Secretary of State Clinton during her visit to Islamabad last October. The Dialogue has been upgraded to Ministerial level. We hope to carry out more structured, and systematic engagement with the U.S. in the days to come. Let me assure that in engaging the U.S., the Government will advance Pakistan’s relations with the major powers, including the U.S., on the basis of mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust. We will never compromise on our national interests. I assure you that this government will do so on mutually-acceptable terms.

With Europe, the democratic Government has made important movement forward. The first time in our history, we have had an institutional upgrade by the convening of the first Pakistan-EU Summit in Brussels, on 17 June 2009. The Second Summit is due in April this year. We have succeeded in capturing Europe’s attention. And catapulting our relationship to their list of priorities. The Government is working for market access with EU. We have an in-principle agreement for commencing work on FTA. We are also working for GSP plus, for which we are cultivating a sympathetic audience.

Moreover, we are working closely with individual European countries to develop and implement bilateral roadmaps. These help provide trajectories and objectives with clear timelines. We have started a structured Strategic Dialogue with the UK; with the intention to strengthen bilateral relations, and enhance cooperation in a number of specific areas. With Germany, the Prime Minister had a successful visit at the end of last year. We signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty, which provides a framework, and required incentives for German investment in Pakistan. The current global economic and financial crises have overwhelmed states with multiple pressures. Yet some parts of the world have been able to cope with these crises better.

Most strategic thinkers are convinced that the future belongs to Asia. Economic and development policies in the region, their demography, and continued upward trend of growth indicators, reflect ascendancy of these countries. We are striving for strengthening relations with our East Asian partners through our “Look East Policy”. We have FTAs and comprehensive economic relations with a number of Asian partners. Central Asia is a strategic region; to which Pakistan grants the shortest and most economic access to the sea, through our highways and seaports.

We enjoy cordial relations with all the Central Asian Republics; and are in the process of adding greater economic substance. In this regard, I would like to mention the very successful visit of the President of Pakistan to Tajikistan in July last year. The democratic Government is bringing about a fundamental and strategic transformation in relations with Russia. Greater cooperation in economic, political, and other fields is being developed and strengthened. This includes counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics cooperation. Russia is also being engaged productively in the regional context.

On the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Yekaterinburg, the first ever Pakistan – Russia – Afghanistan Summit was held. And at the sidelines of SCO’s Prime Minister’s meeting in Beijing, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Putin had a useful exchange of views. Earlier, the President participated in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan-Russia Quadrilateral Summit in Dushanbe. Such an engagement with regional players was unprecedented. With the Gulf region, we have relations rooted in fraternal ties. At a recently held Envoy’s Conference of our Ambassadors based in GCC countries, I have underscored the importance of fully utilizing mutual economic complementarities, and to give tangible and mutually beneficial content to our special relations. We have developed a clear strategy for improving relations with our GCC friends and partners.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan’s Diaspora abroad is a major strategic asset. The democratic Government appreciates its value and worth, as also its contribution to the national development agenda. The American Pakistan Foundation was launched in December, with a key note address by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The concept of the Pakistan-UK Foundation has been endorsed by Secretary Miliband. I will discuss the details with Secretary Miliband during my visit to the UK, at the end of this month. These initiatives will help harness the full potential of this important resource, irrespective of political affiliations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To my mind, the most important measure required to make the Foreign Policy a potent and viable first line of defence for Pakistan, is to strengthen the Foreign Office, and the Foreign Service of Pakistan. We have to be able to attract the best and the brightest in our country to this strategic institution. Secondly, we need to give it the resources to submit informed policy inputs to the leadership of the country. Thirdly, linkages with other institutions have to be reinforced.

Finally, we have to expand it in view of our future needs and resources available.

With these words, I would like to open the floor for discussion