Pakistan's foreign relations with its neighboring countries like China, India, Iran and Afghanistan

1. Foreign Relations of Pakistan
with Neighboring Countries
Overview of Pakistan’s foreign relations with neighboring
countries
(1947- 2023 onwards)

2. Introduction
• The foreign policy of Pakistan seeks to promote the
internationally recognized norms of interstate relations which
include:
• Respect for sovereignty of all states
• Non-interference in internal affairs of other states
• Non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes
• Among its neighbors, Pakistan considers China to be the
cornerstone of its foreign policy while China calls it as its
highest priority.

3. China
• China and Pakistan established diplomatic ties in 1951 and
have since enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship.
• Since the 1962, Sino-Indian war Pakistan has supported China
on most issues of importance especially those related to Taiwan
and Tibet.
• Pakistan supports the One-China policy.
• in the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement, Pakistan recognized
Chinese sovereignty over the Shaksgam tract, while China
recognized Pakistani sovereignty over the Gilgit Agency
• Many prominent Pakistani leaders have met with the Chinese
presidents over the years.

4. Ayub Khan with Chairman Mao Zedong

5. Prime minister Nawaz Sharif with President Xi Jinping

6. Economic relations with China
• Some components of the economic relation between the two
countries are bilateral trade and mutual investments.
• During Musharraf’s visit to China in March 2006, the latter
agreed to invest 12 billion dollars in Pakistan.
• The bigger projects are invariably in public sector which include
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Gwadar
DeepSea Port,Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, M-5/M-6
motorway.
• China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,000 km
Chinese infrastructure network project undertaken in Pakistan.
• On 20 April 2015, Pakistan and China signed an agreement to
commence work on the $46 billion agreement.
• The value of CPEC projects was worth $62 billion as of 2020.

7. Iran
• Iran and Pakistan established relations on 14 August 1947, the
day of independence of Pakistan, when Iran became the first
country to recognize Pakistan.
• They were both founding members of the alliance CENTO.
• Iran aided Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
• In the year 2019, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran
stood at US $537.3 million.
• Pakistan and Iran have chalked out a five-year trade
cooperation plan 2023-2028 with a trade target of five billion
dollars. This was stated by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari.
• Main imports from Iran include, Iron and steel($40.14 million),
leather, Edible fruits, coffee, tea and spices.

8. Iranian Postcards

9. AFGHANISTAN
•Introduction: Afghanistan is present in west of Pakistan and their relation with
Pakistan has always been hard
•Initial Issues: Durand Line, One Unit (1955) Embassy attack by pashtuns.
•1956 Pakistan’s Prime Minister Iskandar Mirza visited Afghanistan
•1956 Afghanistan’s Prime Minister visited Pakistan
•1958 Trade Transit Agreement
•Relationship Broke 1961—1965: AFG. Government took interest in India and Russia
•1965—1979 Good relations: Bcz Muhammad Daud left PM Chair
•1979 Russia Invasion: 2 Groups; Pro-Russian and Mujahadeen
•America and Saudi-Arabia supported Mujahadeen via Pakistan
•1989 Soviet Withdrawal
•1992 Mujahadeen Government
•1996 Taliban Government
•September 2001: 9/11 event
•October 2001: America invaded Afghanistan
•August 2021: After 20 years, America left Afghanistan

10. AGREEMENTS:
1) APTTA: The Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement is an agreement
signed in 2010 by both countries for greater facilitation in movement of
goods.
2) TRIPARTITE: Agreement for repatriation of Afghan citizens living in
Pakistan
ECONOMIC RELATIONS:
Both countries are trying their best to make sure good economic relations
•In 2021 Pakistan exported 833 Million $ goods to Afghanistan and
Imported 595 Million$ goods.
• In 2022 Pakistan exported 980 Million$ to Afghanistan
•Also in 2023 trade among countries increased by 35% which shows
Positive Relations between countries.