Pakistan can play a bridging role between China and the United States, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said as the world sees a paradigm shift with the two world powers at loggerheads.

“I think the pace of that competitiveness, has very palpable effects all over the world. I think you’re feeling here in Munich at the MSC [Munich Security Conference] and most of the world is engaged in that competitiveness,” he said in an interview with the DW.

The scion of the Bhutto dynasty was asked does Pakistan felt the need to be in one camp rather than the other.

Different sessions would be held during the three-day conference in the German city. The Munich Security Report explored the “multipolarisation” of the world and analysed the risks involved in such a situation for peace, prosperity, and joint approaches to shared global threats.

“From a Pakistani perspective, historically we have played the role of a bridge builder rather than, say a dividing force, or there are some countries who are profiting or benefiting from the fact these two countries, the United States and increasingly competitiveness, but Pakistan has been in a different position.”

To the question that if the South Asian country has to be put in a camp, he said Pakistan would like to see itself as “bridge builders”—a role which the country leaders say they have played in the past between establishing contacts and the relationship between the two superpowers.

He went on to add that the country would like to see itself as a state that can “bridge that gap rather than sort of increase that division.”

In March 2021, late former US secretary of state Dr Henry Kissinger recognised Pakistan’s ‘key’ role in arranging his secret visit from Islamabad to Beijing in 1971 for making breakthrough in China-US relations.

Dr Henry Kissinger in his speech at an event to mark ‘50 Years of China-US Relations’ commended Pakistan for its diplomatic contribution during a pivotal period in international relations. He highlighted how then-President Yahya Khan served as an intermediary between China and the United States, facilitating secret communications between then-Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and then-President Richard Nixon.

The diplomatic effort culminated in his journey aboard a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Islamabad to Beijing on July 9, 1971.

When asked whether it would be possible under the Trump administration, Bilawal said that he was of the view that US President Donald Trump was a “dealmaker” and added that the country can engage with the US in “areas and topics” given the challenges.

When asked whether it would be possible under the Trump administration, Bilawal said that he was of the view that US President Donald Trump was a “dealmaker” and added that the country can engage with the US in “areas and topics” given the challenges.

“One such domain is the possibility of making peace with India or at least trading and engaging with India. I think a dealmaker like President Trump who’s interested in playing a role for peace across the world.”

Is it a problem if US is closer to India?

Bilawal said that a lot of presumptions about the Indian-American relationship were tested during the Ukraine crisis.

“I do think that with the China-US conflict, and with the US’ attempts to build up India as a sort of counterweight to China, does upset the balance of power in the region,” he said, “it does have knock-on effects, for example, in the arms race between India and Pakistan.”

The PPP chairman said that both countries have “immense challenges,” including poverty and unemployment. “But if the US is going to try and establish India as a net security provider in the region, then Pakistan will do what it must to sustain or maintain that race.

West’s standing

In response to a question about the West’s standing amid global issues, he said that Pakistan was not surprised to hear US Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the MSC. “Not a surprise for us because we’re used to the fact that the US looks after US interests first.”

He added that the country experienced it recently when Trump made a social media post that the US would leave Afghanistan without consulting the European states, the Afghan government of the time, and neighbouring countries.

“All I think it means is that the old norms of how to deal with the world have changed. I think Europe is learning to engage with that. Pakistan has also to learn how to engage with that.”

He added that being a neighbour to China and doing business with the country does not mean cutting off Pakistan from the rest of the world. Bilawal mentioned the huge increase in trade with the US and Europe.

Bilawal blamed US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan for security challenges for Pakistan. He added that the banned TTP was dismantled, but the group gained momentum after the fall of Kabul.

“In order to meet that challenge, Pakistan first needs an effective and comprehensive domestic consensus that is owned across the political spectrum. So we can take the fight to these groups like, we have in the past, and I’m full of confidence that we can do in the future.”

After this Pakistan would be in a position to have a “serious comprehension” regionally and internationally about the “mess” that was left behind, he said.

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Is the lack of consensus because of Imran Khan being incarcerated?

To a question that there was a lack of consensus because former prime minister Imran Khan was being incarcerated, he said: “Imran Khan being incarcerated or not is, I think, my father was incarcerated, Mr Nawaz Sharif was incarcerated, his daughter was incarcerated during Mr Khan’s time. It didn’t stop us from forming consensus on important issues.”

He added that it was inappropriate to link efforts to have consensus with freeing from the cases. Bilawal admitted that it was hard to form a consensus in politics.

“Mr Khan has never been broadly part of a consensus against these groups, even in the past.”

He was of the view that any conflict or escalation with Iran would not help.