Between the dates of February 14-18, U.S delegation (under State Department Counselor Derek Chollet) will be visiting Pakistan to meet with several senior officials, business leaders, and civil society members to repair relations from strain under former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Both states will discuss several different economic issues and plans for the future in correlation to the rebuilding of their relationship. Currently, the U.S visit arrives just as Pakistan is still in the process of rebuilding from the flood damages of last year. Pakistan is seeking support from the U.S to unlock a International Monetary Fund program that would assist in the country’s rebuilding to combat its economic crisis.
Through the former prime minister of Pakistan, the U.S was sought out as an antagonist in the past. Now, with him out of office, this allows room for the two states to make amends and discuss the future of their relationship. The economic crisis of reconstruction that Pakistan is facing is one that is also sending its economy spiraling. Despite initially having the plan to remedy a deal with the IMF, it fell through and no conclusions were reached to aid the state with their damages. If the U.S and Pakistan improve their relations, and Pakistan gains U.S support throughout this process, U.S influence may aid in a speedier conclusion and support from other nations as well.
This relates back to what we discussed in class because it highlights the topic of influence and how the more influence/power you hold or are associated with internationally as a state, the higher chance you have to receive benefits from that. As well as the IMF and how it serves member states to increase economic growth and prosperity.