SOURCE: AFI
In a recent statement, Pakistan has pointed fingers at India and Israel for influencing the United States to impose sanctions on its missile development and research agencies. This development comes amidst a series of US sanctions targeting entities involved in Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programs, which have stirred significant controversy and debate within defense circles.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has explicitly blamed India and Israel, suggesting that these nations are behind the US’s decision to sanction Pakistani firms like the National Development Complex (NDC) and others associated with missile technology. This accusation is based on the assertion that both countries aim to curb Pakistan’s strategic capabilities, specifically in developing long-range ballistic missiles.
Defense analysts in Pakistan have responded robustly to these sanctions. One analyst, whose views were echoed across social media platforms like X, claimed that despite the sanctions, Pakistan’s missile development would continue unabated. They argued that the country has developed indigenous capabilities to work around such restrictions, ensuring that its strategic deterrence against India remains intact.
Another defense expert from Pakistan criticized what they perceive as the US’s selective application of international norms, highlighting that while Pakistan-China missile technology collaborations are under scrutiny, the Indo-Russian BrahMos-2 project seems to be overlooked. This, they argue, reflects a bias in US foreign policy towards maintaining a strategic balance that favors India.
The United States has cited concerns over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems as the primary reason for these sanctions. The focus has been on entities supplying materials and technology to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programs, which are seen as potential threats to regional stability.
Pakistan’s missile development is largely seen as a countermeasure to India’s expanding missile capabilities. The Shaheen series, among others, is part of Pakistan’s strategy to ensure a credible deterrent, particularly in light of India’s advancements in both conventional and nuclear-capable missile technology.
The ongoing missile race between Pakistan and India could escalate tensions, especially if both countries perceive these sanctions as attempts to undermine their security. This situation underscores the need for a balanced approach to arms control and non-proliferation in South Asia.