Relations with Afghanistan, Iran, China, the USSR, the USA, the UK and the UN

O Level Pakistan Studies History · Nationhood: 1971 to 1999 and Pakistan in world affairs. A short explanation of the idea, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid, a worked example and practice questions with answers.

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The idea

Pakistan's foreign policy has been shaped by two needs: security against India and aid for development. In the 1950s it chose the Western side in the Cold War and joined US-led alliances. This brought arms and money but made the USSR hostile and closer to India.

When the USA gave little help in the wars of 1965 and 1971, Pakistan turned more to China, which became its most dependable friend. Among Muslim neighbours, Iran was friendly from the start, while Afghanistan disputed the border and backed the idea of Pakhtunistan.

Pakistan has also worked through wider bodies: the Commonwealth, which it left in 1972 and rejoined in 1989, and the United Nations, which it joined in 1947.

Rules to remember

Common mistake

Students write that Afghanistan was the first country to recognise Pakistan. Iran was first; Afghanistan was the one country that voted against Pakistan joining the UN.

Worked example

In the 1950s the USSR supported India's position on Kashmir at the United Nations. Which decisions by Pakistan help to explain this?

  1. The Cold War divided the world between the USA and the USSR.
  2. Pakistan joined SEATO in 1954 and the Baghdad Pact in 1955, both aimed at stopping the spread of Soviet influence.
  3. The USSR therefore treated Pakistan as an opponent and gave its support to India.

Answer: Pakistan's membership of the Western alliances SEATO and the Baghdad Pact.

Practice questions

Try each one, then open the answer.

1. How did Pakistan help improve relations between China and the USA in 1971?

  1. A
    it hosted Mao Zedong's visit to Washington
  2. B
    it mediated the Korean War ceasefire
  3. C
    it brought China into the CENTO alliance
  4. D
    it arranged Kissinger's secret visit to Beijing
Show answer

Answer: D. Kissinger flew to Beijing from Pakistan, preparing the way for President Nixon's visit in 1972.

2. Why did Pakistan leave the Commonwealth in 1972?

  1. A
    Britain supported India over Kashmir
  2. B
    it was expelled after the 1971 war
  3. C
    members moved to recognise Bangladesh
  4. D
    it joined the Non-Aligned Movement
Show answer

Answer: C. Britain and others were recognising Bangladesh. Pakistan rejoined in 1989 under Benazir Bhutto; it joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1979.

3. The Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), formed in 1964, linked Pakistan with which countries?

  1. A
    China and Afghanistan
  2. B
    Iran and Turkey
  3. C
    Iran and Afghanistan
  4. D
    Turkey and Egypt
Show answer

Answer: B. The RCD encouraged trade and cultural links; it was later replaced by the Economic Cooperation Organisation.

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