New Delhi: Recent geopolitical developments indicate that US President Donald Trump is making every effort to balance China’s influence in Asia. To this end, Trump has enlisted the help of countries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. These countries have long been strategic partners of China, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative and other economic and defense cooperation.
Trump’s new policy appears to favor these countries. During Operation Sindoor, when Trump’s policy suddenly appeared to favor Pakistan, many security analysts were surprised. However, this was a well-thought-out strategy by the Trump administration. Trump has signed a $500 million mineral investment agreement with Pakistan, aiming to exploit its $6 trillion mineral wealth. This move is an attempt to distance Pakistan from its deep ties with China and bring it into the US sphere of influence, especially since Pakistan is involved in China’s BRI projects.
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Pact
The US’s next step in taming Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is the recent bilateral defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Under this agreement, both countries have agreed that an attack on one country will be considered an attack on the other. This is being seen as an “Islamic NATO,” which could be the first step towards a larger Arab-Islamic defense alliance.
Saudi Arabia is a close ally of the US and provides it with a wide range of security. Without the US’s green light, it would not have been possible for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to conclude such a defense agreement. By allowing these agreements to flourish in the Gulf and Asia, the US has sent a message to both countries that they do not need to be swayed by China and that the US will fully take care of their defense needs.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are two countries that the US has always wanted to keep in its fold, given its geopolitical needs. Defense expert and senior journalist Praveen Swami writes in The Print, “In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a British diplomat, ‘Persian oil is yours. We will divide the oil of Iraq and Kuwait.’ As far as Saudi Arabia’s oil is concerned, it belongs to us.”
President Roosevelt’s statement reveals America’s insistence on Saudi Arabia. This is why the US is unwilling to let Saudi Arabia slip from its grasp and has allowed Saudi Arabia to enter into a defense pact with Pakistan. The US has also taken this step to send a message to China.
Trump’s Meeting with Islamic Countries
The Gulf countries’ confidence has been shaken by the example of Qatar, which suffered at the hands of Israel. In the past few months, Qatar was first attacked by Iran, followed by Israel’s missile attack on Doha. Gulf countries, which relied on American protection, are shocked that the US failed to provide them with any assistance during this period.
To regain their trust, Trump has held a multilateral meeting with the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and other Muslim countries during the United Nations General Assembly. The Gaza attack was also raised at this meeting. Trump stated that this conflict has gone on for far too long. He added that these Muslim countries should now consider a strategy for returning the hostages. are doing.
These efforts by Trump are aimed at joint security and balancing the influential policies of a superpower like China. However, disputes between the US and some Gulf countries regarding Israel have complicated regional politics.
Turkey’s Role
Turkey is a NATO member, and therefore plays a major role in the international security landscape. As a NATO member, it cannot distance itself too much from US policies. However, Turkey’s support for Hamas and anti-Israel stance make this country a complex issue for the US.
Nevertheless, Turkey’s influential role in Syria and regional strategy make it important. Through the Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact and cooperation with Turkey, the US is trying to strengthen local powers while reducing its military presence in the Gulf region, which balances Russia’s influence.
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