Pakistan's Perspectives on Great Power Competition

Changing global and regional security environment in an era of great power competition has placed Pakistan in a curious position. Pakistan faces diverse security and economic challenges, compounded by frequency of military crises with nuclear archrival India. Pakistan is delicately balancing its difficult relations with the United States while deepening ties with a resurgent China. Ms. Khar's talk will cover wide ranging geopolitical issues impacting strategic environment in South Asia in the larger context of Asian power dynamics to include: growing Sino-Pakistan ties including Pakistan's role in the Belt Road Initiative; intensified rivalry with India in the wake of Hindu rightwing resurgence in India; implications of U.S. withdrawal or drawdown on stability in Afghanistan; and impact of renewed U.S.-Iran tensions on regional and global stability. These fast developing geo-strategic dynamics in Pakistan's neighborhood are affecting Pakistan security outlook, the trajectory of its strategic program and has profound implications on contemporary international relations.

Hina Rabbani Khar is a twice elected Member of Parliament. She is currently serving as Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Hina Rabbani Khar's term as Foreign Minister is best remembered for the 'Regional Pivot' to Pakistan's foreign policy. As the 26th Foreign Minister of Pakistan, she concentrated on building ties with Pakistan's immediate neighbors. Hina Rabbani Khar has also served as Minister of State for Economic Affairs for 4 years and Minister of State for Finance & Economic Affairs for another 2 Years. During these years, she was the lead person in Pakistan's economic diplomacy, both bilateral and multilateral.