Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hamas official says despite this, Hamas leadership is currently undertaking a thorough review of the new proposal
Hamas official says the response fails to meet any of the just and legitimate demands of our people
Hamas official says it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation
Reuters citing Hamas official: Group received Israeli response to Witkoff proposal
Sources to Al Mayadeen: The news regarding a press conference tonight by the head of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, is false.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was martyred in an Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll in the al-Bureij camp massacre has risen to 19
Nicolas Maduro: Maria Corina Machado and imperialism wanted to spread violence and chaos so there would be no elections.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: We were able to neutralize 60 attacks on oil refineries and oil facilities and arrest more than 70 individuals involved.
CNN citing sources: Talks between Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that could be concluded during the next meeting.

Pakistan diverts to 'India-plus' strategy as US-India relations grow

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 25 Dec 2024 23:43
4 Min Read

Pakistan's missile capability developments have concentrated on targeting threats beyond India, prompting concerns in Washington.

Listen
  • x
  •  A Pakistani-made Shaheen-III missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, displayed during a military parade to mark Pakistan National Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 23, 2022. (AP)
    A Pakistani-made Shaheen-III missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, displayed during a military parade to mark Pakistan National Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 23, 2022. (AP)

Pakistan dismissed claims made by the Biden administration regarding the development of ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. However, geopolitical analysts argue that developing long-range weapons aligns with Islamabad's evolving security priorities as the US and India develop closer ties. 

Last week, the US announced sanctions on four entities allegedly contributing to the proliferation or delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). These include the National Development Complex (NDC) in Islamabad and three Karachi-based companies: Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise.

Pakistan condemned the move, stressing that its strategic capabilities are designed to "defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia." It criticized the sanctions for exacerbating military imbalances in the region, stressing that they "defy the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries" and carry "dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond."

The US and Pakistan formed an unexpected but close partnership, primarily driven by American goals in Afghanistan during the Cold War and post 9/11. However, US frustrations have mounted over allegations of Pakistan's covert support for Taliban insurgents and, more recently, its deepening ties with China, which has invested billions in Pakistani infrastructure projects.

In contrast, the US and India have developed closer ties over the past decade, citing mutual concern over China's economic and military power. 

Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistan ambassador to the US and a scholar at the Hudson Institute think tank, said the developing global relations are prompting Pakistani hard-liners to think about the country's positioning - currently considered in partnership with China - in the event of a global conflict with India, which is backed by the US. 

Ashley J. Tellis, an Asian geopolitics expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, contends that Pakistan’s strategic goals have shifted from being solely "India-specific" to "India-plus." He partly attributes this change to the 2011 US military operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Tellis believes Islamabad aims to develop capabilities to deter potential future US interventions on its land.  

Related News

US treasury market records first 2025 monthly drop

One Chinese shipyard outbuilt entire US industry since WWII in one yr.

Pakistani vs. Indian missile capabilities 

Meanwhile, India remained silent on the US decision to sanction Pakistani firms, sufficing by saying it keeps up "all developments which have a bearing on our security and our interest very closely."

The sanctions are unlikely to impact Pakistan’s missile programs, which focus on short- and mid-range weapons, though the Shaheen-III missile could theoretically target India’s distant territories, such as the far eastern Andamans and Nicobar archipelago.

Former Pakistani diplomat Zamir Akram highlighted that Pakistan’s pursuit of long-range missile technology is driven by both defensive needs and a desire to match India’s capabilities.

On the other hand, India's military priorities are increasingly centered on countering China.  

The Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile, with a range of 3,000 miles and high accuracy, brings major Chinese cities within striking distance. India and China have a longstanding border dispute in the Himalayas, which escalated into a deadly clash in 2020.  

Zamir Akram,  a former Pakistan diplomat at the United Nations, noted that such technology could also support the development of a domestic space-launch system. Currently, Pakistan depends on China for its satellite launches.

"We cannot foreclose the option for developing a long-range missile if needed sometime in the future," he said, adding the idea that such developments constitute a threat to the US is "ludicrous".

Read more: India successfully tests first hypersonic missile

  • United States
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Missiles
  • Ballistic missiles

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, answers a question about his House Bill 3-C: Independent Special Districts in the House of Representatives April 20, 2022, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida (AP/Phil Sears)

GOP lawmaker says Gaza needs same end as WWII Japan, with nukes

  • MENA
  • 23 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks to Al Mayadeen

Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks: Al Mayadeen

  • MENA
  • 24 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Palestinians cross from the Israeli military Qalandia checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah to occupied al-Quds on Friday, March 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime arrests martyr Walid Daqqa's wife Sanaa

Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a news conference following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 18, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran denounces media speculation, reaffirms conditions for any US deal

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS