{"id":2615,"date":"2025-10-09T04:59:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T04:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=2615"},"modified":"2025-10-09T04:59:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T04:59:32","slug":"pakistan-courts-trump-with-port-offer-foreign-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=2615","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan Courts Trump With Port Offer \u2013 Foreign Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n<div data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>Welcome to\u00a0<em>Foreign Policy<\/em>\u2019s South Asia Brief.<\/p>\n<p>The highlights this week: Pakistan reportedly makes an offer to the United States to develop and operate an <strong>Arabian Sea port<\/strong>, an <strong>internet outage<\/strong> in Afghanistan sows confusion about the Taliban\u2019s intent, and India sets a date for a key <strong>state election in Bihar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter-unit-signup--shortcode-fallback\">\n<h2 class=\"dek-heading\">\n                <\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/category\/south-asia-brief\/\">Sign up<\/a>  to receive South Asia Brief in your inbox every Wednesday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<form data-shortcode-newsletter=\"south_asia_brief\" class=\"newsletter-unit-signup newsletter-unit-signup--shortcode email-capture--step-1 newsletter-unit-signup--shortcode-south_asia_brief\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-south_asia_brief newsletter-shortcode-south_asia_brief\">\n<div class=\"show-on-email-capture--signed-up hide-from-newsletter-subscriber newsletter-unit-signup--shortcode--container\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-unit newsletter-row\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-south_asia_brief\">\n<h2 class=\"dek-heading\">Sign up to receive South Asia Brief in your inbox every Wednesday.<\/h2>\n<p>\n                        <button class=\"button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <\/p>\n<div class=\"grid--flex newsletter-south_asia_brief newsletter-signup-container\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"South Asia Brief sign up form\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"buttons\">\n<div class=\"hide-from-newsletter-subscriber privacy-policy-container\">\n<div class=\"privacy-policy-acknowledge\">\n<p><small>By submitting your email, you agree to the <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/termsofuse\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms of Use<\/a> and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\n    <label for=\"email-south_asia_brief\">Enter your email<\/label><br \/>\n    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" class=\"hide-from-reg hide-from-sub\" id=\"email-south_asia_brief\" aria-required=\"true\" required=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <button class=\"button button--signup \" data-newsletter-id=\"south_asia_brief\" data-sourceid=\"In-article unit\" type=\"submit\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"sign-up-text\">Sign Up<\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"loading-text\">Loading&#8230;<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button>\n  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>What to Make of Pakistan\u2019s Port Pitch<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, the <em>Financial Times<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/9f7c7bf2-76ed-4eb6-bb9a-f628d05b0068\">reported<\/a> that several advisors to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had approached the Trump administration with an offer for U.S. investors to build and operate an Arabian Sea port in Pasni, a fishing village in Balochistan province, for commercial purposes.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Times<\/em>, the port would facilitate U.S. access to Pakistan\u2019s critical minerals, including through the development of a rail terminal. A senior Pakistani official <a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2570594\/new-port-idea-never-officially-discussed-security-official\">told<\/a> local media that Munir had no official advisors\u2014meaning that anyone cited in the <em>Times <\/em>would be informal advisors discussing a port proposal not endorsed by the Pakistani state.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Islamabad has not denied that such an offer was made. And anyone advising Munir, even in an informal capacity, would presumably have some link to the government or military. In this sense, the reported port proposal provides a useful window into how Pakistan\u2019s broader strategic community is thinking.<\/p>\n<p>There are two notable takeaways. First, the offer signals a greater willingness from Pakistan to better balance ties with the United States and China. In recent years, Islamabad\u2019s relationship with Beijing has been much stronger than that with Washington, driven by infrastructure development and increases in military assistance. However, U.S.-Pakistan ties have enjoyed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefridaytimes.com\/30-Sep-2025\/pakistan-seizes-rare-chance-reset-us-ties-trump-turns-focus-india-islamabad\">resurgence<\/a> in President Donald Trump\u2019s second term.<\/p>\n<p>Pasni is just 70 miles from Gwadar, home to a port that China has sought to develop\u2014somewhat unsuccessfully\u2014for several years as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing likely wouldn\u2019t be enthused by a new U.S.-run port so close to its own investment, particularly one that handles critical minerals shipments.<\/p>\n<p>But it wouldn\u2019t hurt Pakistan\u2019s ties with China\u2014and it could show Washington that Islamabad is willing to do more to boost relations. Additionally, the port proposal appears to be a play to give the United States some stake in the security of Balochistan, a resource-rich province that is also one of Pakistan\u2019s most violent.<\/p>\n<p>Islamist militants periodically carry out attacks in the province, and ethnic Baloch insurgents have long targeted large development projects. Pakistan has struggled to ease the violence, with scorched-earth counterterrorism tactics resulting in wider repressive actions that further <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dawn.com\/news\/1849135\">aggrieve<\/a> local communities and fuel insurgency.<\/p>\n<p>Those behind the port offer may hope that if the United States has concrete investments in Balochistan, it may be willing to increase counterterrorism assistance to Pakistan. The United States recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2025\/08\/terrorist-designation-of-the-majeed-brigade\">formally designated<\/a> the Balochistan Liberation Army, the province\u2019s most potent insurgent force, as a terrorist group; the two other active groups in the region, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State-Khorasan, were already designated.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, a formal offer of a port deal to the United States\u2014and U.S. acceptance\u2014is a long shot. Islamabad may not want to be burdened with another security risk in a restive region, and furthermore the port would risk antagonizing Iran, as Pasni is around 100 miles from the two countries\u2019 border.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, the Trump administration may be intrigued by an opportunity to better access critical minerals and to strengthen U.S. influence in a strategically significant area\u2014but it also may be scared off by the prospect of overseeing a major infrastructure project in a dangerous place.<\/p>\n<p>The Pasni offer may be a useful case study of Pakistan\u2019s current strategic thinking, but the port is unlikely to materialize anytime soon, if at all.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>What We\u2019re Following<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Afghanistan internet outage sows confusion.<\/strong> Last Monday, a nationwide internet shutdown hit Afghanistan. In mid-September, the Taliban regime began <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ifj.org\/media-centre\/reports\/detail\/afghanistan-taliban-blocks-internet-access-for-over-two-weeks\/category\/press-releases\">curbing<\/a> internet access in certain provinces, saying it was intended to reduce immorality\u2014though the group didn\u2019t specifically link last week\u2019s blackout to the curbs.<\/p>\n<p>A confusing set of events then took place. On Wednesday, most internet service was suddenly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/internet-cut-off-leaves-afghans-stranded-flights-cancelled-2025-10-01\/\">restored<\/a>, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/afghanistan-internet-outage-taliban-a5fd0e68d75dc3ab1af4519a33698044\">statement<\/a> initially attributed to the Taliban claimed that the outage was caused by malfunctioning fiber-optic cables and not any deliberate action. The Taliban quickly <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/afghanistan-internet-outage-taliban-a5fd0e68d75dc3ab1af4519a33698044\">claimed<\/a> that statement was false, but they still didn\u2019t give an explanation for the outage.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s possible that the Taliban, who seek international legitimacy, ordered the outage but decided to end it after <a href=\"https:\/\/azon.global\/en\/posts\/International-Life\/un-condemns-internet-shutdown-in-afghanistan\">international outcry<\/a>. The group\u2019s Kandahar-based supreme leadership, which is behind the anti-immorality campaign, may not have wanted the reversal publicized because it wouldn\u2019t want to be seen as soft on the ideological issues that drive its worldview.<\/p>\n<p><strong>India announces Bihar election schedule.<\/strong> On Monday, India\u2019s Election Commission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndtv.com\/india-news\/bihar-elections-2025-date-announcements-live-updates-bihar-poll-schedule-to-be-announced-today-9403171\">announced<\/a> that the state of Bihar would run a vote in two phases, on Nov. 6 and 11. India\u2019s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest a series of key state elections in the coming months, but the one in Bihar will be one of the most important.<\/p>\n<p>Bihar is India\u2019s third-most populous state and therefore a major electoral prize. All 243 seats in the Bihar assembly are up for grabs. The state government is currently run by a coalition that includes the BJP, though it will face considerable competition during the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>One interesting <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/bihar-elections-2025-castes-coalitions-and-calculations-how-numbers-stack-up\/articleshow\/124341216.cms\">storyline<\/a> involves Prashant Kishor, an election strategist-turned-politician. He is leading a new party that he says will not be involved in any electoral alliances, suggesting an uphill battle. However, some observers note that his experience as a strategist could be an asset\u2014and possibly lead to some electoral upsets.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-corruption is one of Kishor\u2019s core electoral planks, and he has heavily criticized leaders of Bihar\u2019s two main political alliances on governance issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Inflation in Bangladesh.<\/strong> Bangladesh\u2019s Statistics Bureau <a href=\"https:\/\/www.observerbd.com\/news\/547617\">released<\/a> data this week showing that inflation rose to 8.36 percent in September, up from 8.29 percent in August. The modest rise is notably less than the nearly 10 percent inflation that the country registered at the same time last year, but it continues a three-year trend of some of the highest inflation figures in South Asia.<\/p>\n<p>Economists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.observerbd.com\/news\/547617\">attribute<\/a> inflation in Bangladesh to various factors, from the depreciation of the country\u2019s currency to a heavy dependence on imports. They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.observerbd.com\/news\/547617\">warn<\/a> that failing to bring inflation down could increase the gap between income and living costs and undercut broader economic stability.<\/p>\n<p>Though the inflation began under Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the interim government that succeeded her last year has clearly failed to address the problem. It\u2019s one of the various reasons why the Bangladeshi public has become increasingly unhappy about the administration\u2019s performance and is keen for elections\u2014scheduled for February.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>Under the Radar<\/h3>\n<p>On Monday, during an Indian Supreme Court proceeding, lawyer Rakesh Kishore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c80g4d5epm8o\">hurled a shoe <\/a>at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai. Throwing shoes at people in public is considered an especially egregious humiliation in India, and the top figures in India\u2019s judiciary are generally well respected. Kishore\u2019s act was thus lambasted across the political spectrum.<\/p>\n<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2175572\">condemned<\/a> the incident on X. Kishore was suspended, though Indian officials say he won\u2019t face charges.<\/p>\n<p>In an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TAeZ25uFfew\">interview<\/a> with the <em>Print<\/em>, Kishore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c80g4d5epm8o\">said<\/a> he threw the shoe because of something Gavai said at a proceeding last month. Gavai rejected a plea to reconstruct an idol of the Hindu god Vishnu in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; in a statement, he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c80g4d5epm8o\">said<\/a>, \u201cGo and ask the deity himself to do something.\u201d Gavai was slammed for the comment, with people accusing him of mocking Hinduism.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>FP\u2019s Most Read This Week<\/h3>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>Regional Voices<\/h3>\n<p>In the <em>Print<\/em>, writer <strong>T.N. Ninan<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/theprint.in\/opinion\/china-engineers-india-first-generation-technocrats\/2758823\/\">argues<\/a> that India should take a cue from China and cultivate more engineers in leadership roles. \u201c[W]e could consider how much of an \u2018engineering state\u2019 India needs to become, and what leadership role engineers should play in politics and the administration, as well as in business and industry,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\n<p>In the <em>Daily Star<\/em>, activist <strong>Nazmus Sadat<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedailystar.net\/opinion\/views\/news\/will-bangladesh-surf-the-ai-wave-or-be-pulled-under-4003931\">writes<\/a> about opportunities for Bangladesh in artificial intelligence: \u201cAI is no longer a Silicon Valley experiment; it has become a global reality. For Bangladesh, and for much of the Global South, it is both a test and an opportunity,\u201d he writes. \u201cThe question is not whether the wave is coming\u2014it is whether we will ride it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A <em>Daily Mirror<\/em> <strong>editorial<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/opinion\/Supporting-the-ban-on-corporal-punishment-of-children\/172-321638\">praises<\/a> Sri Lanka\u2019s Parliament for passing an amendment that bans corporal punishment: \u201cThe present government\u2019s actions to prevent attacks on children, whether in schools or even in their homes, is the first step in the direction of taking away the impunity for crimes some Lankans have committed without so much as a second thought.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2025\/10\/08\/pakistan-trump-port-critical-minerals-offer-china\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to\u00a0Foreign Policy\u2019s South Asia Brief. The highlights this week: Pakistan reportedly makes an offer to the United States to develop and operate an Arabian Sea port, an internet outage in Afghanistan sows confusion about the Taliban\u2019s intent, and India sets a date for a key state election in Bihar. Sign up to receive South [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2615","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politcical-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}