This book is a penetrating analysis of Pakistan’s foreign policy from the time of Independence in 1947 until the beginning of the new millennium. The formulation of Pakistan’s foreign policy has been discussed from a fresh perspective. The author has tried to pragmatically examine the structural failures of Pakistan’s foreign policy-making process and calls for new thinking on various aspects of Pakistan’s foreign policy, with special emphasis on Pakistan–India relations vis-à-vis Kashmir and suggests various policy options and indicates their possible consequences for Pakistan. The author makes a strong plea for realism and moderation, taking into account the best interests of Pakistan, particularly in view of the acquisition of nuclear weapons by both India and Pakistan. The book is based on the author’s personal observations and analysis during thirty-nine years of diplomatic service as Pakistan’s Ambassador and Special Envoy to various countries around the world. This edition contains a new introduction and a chapter on the developments in Pakistan’s foreign policy from 2010 to 2020.
Shahid M. Amin served in the Pakistan Foreign Service in various capacities including Ambassador and Special Envoy. He was Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, France, the Soviet Union, Nigeria, and Libya, with concurrent accreditation to several other countries. He was also posted in New Delhi, Kabul, Tehran, Brussels, London, and New York. Shahid M. Amin retired from the Foreign Service in 1997 and this is his first book. He is a well-known figure in the media where he participates in discussions on international affairs and Pakistan’s political and economic scenario. The author has also published articles on foreign affairs in local and international publications. His other publications include Realism in Politics (ABC, 2003); Reminiscences of a Pakistani Diplomat (KCFR, 2005); Europe and the Muslim World: Coexistence or Conflict? (Karachi University, 2012); A Concise History of Pakistan (IoBM, 2015); Pakistan Forever (PFI, Islamabad, 2017); Pakistan’s Relations with Saudi Arabia (Paramount Books, forthcoming 2020).