As Pakistan goes through its most critical foreign policy challenge in 30 years, one that potentially threatens the economy and stability of the nuclear-armed nation, it is critical that Pakistan be represented in the best manner possible. This applies not just to the government leadership in Islamabad, but also to the Pakistani Ambassador in Washington.
The Pakistani Ambassador plays a critical role in ensuring that Pakistan’s image in America with the American people and the American elite is a positive one. Goodwill generated among those groups gives both the government of Pakistan and the United States political latitude to pursue a close and mutually beneficial alliance. If Pakistan’s image with the average Americans is negative, it can constrain Bush’s ability to help Pakistan.
In this context, the current Ambassador, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, has done a good job. She has well represented the Pakistani position, and has come across as a serious, well-educated, and sophisticated Ambassador. For many Americans, she is the only Pakistani face they see, with the exception of President Musharraf. Dr. Lodhi has acquitted herself well on several nationwide news programs, and has presented Pakistan as a nation acting on principles, not simply self-interest.
Simply as an Ambassador, Dr. Lodhi has done well. But what makes her a particularly potent asset to Pakistan is her gender. Having a woman represent Pakistan is extremely helpful to Islamabad. It projects the right image to America that Pakistan is a modern, tolerant nation, and not at all like the rigid Taliban. By having her discuss the Taliban on American TV, the contrast between Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot be made more clear. This allows average Americans to understand why Muslim Pakistan can be a natural ally.
The rapid removal of sanctions and rescheduling of debt are also a mark of Dr. Lodhi’s ability to get things done in Washington. American policy makers understood how important these economic measures were to Pakistan, so action was taken in a timely manner. As this alliance builds, the experienced hand of Dr. Lodhi will help to ensure that Pakistan is supported to the full extent it deserves.
This whole episode shows the limits of the Indian lobby in the United States. Although they have worked to cultivate Congress, when this situation developed, American policy became dominated by concerns of national interest. As such, Pakistan has returned to the center of American South Asian policy. The Indians are deeply distressed at this turn of events, as everything they worked for lies in tatters. America has realized that the only way to deal with turmoil in the Muslim world is through Muslim countries. This limits the importance of India as an ally of American interests in the Middle East and South Asia.
Pakistan has an ambitious agenda to modernize its economy over the next 15 years. This can only be accomplished through rapid growth in exports to Europe and the US, and through the economic assistance and debt relief provided by the developed world. This means that Pakistan’s policy must center on obtaining long-term economic benefits from this reborn American alliance. Already, there is word that Pakistan is asking both America and the EU to lift quotas on Pakistani textile exports. With meaningful reduction in debt and interest payments, badly needed funds for human development can be generated.
Pakistan is also a dominant part of the Muslim world. It is the second largest Muslim nation, and possesses a quality military, including nuclear weapons. It sits in a strategic location. America is now realizing that it must rethink its ties with the Muslim world. Americans are asking, “Why are we hated so much?” As part of a new policy, a strong alliance with Pakistan makes sense. Having an Ambassador that projects the image of a civilized Muslim country helps to ensure that a Pakistani-American alliance will have the support of the American people and Congress.