Advocate Waseem Ahmed Jeho Abro
People run behind the powerful personalities, rich people are seemed to be more attractive persons and wealth is the power which affects the most nowadays. It has been witnessed that world in seeking for more economic resources and strong economy. A country, which is economically strong, can effect global scenario i-e changing policies, alliances etc. It, however, faces myriad of challenges in the pace of resistance, antagonism, rivalries and to some extent, in the shape of wars particularly trade war. On the contrast, some weak countries try to get benefit for making themselves economically strong by the way of trade relations. But, on the other hand, it poses threat for the supermacy of powerful countries.According to power theory of International relations (I.R), there are two types of powers; one is “hard power” which denotes “military might” and other is “soft power” which indicates “natural resources” which contribute in nation’s economy. Many countries has acquired hard power through several means, which is enough to win any war but they do not posses soft power (they are economically weak¬¬). For instance, Pakistan is a nuclear power, however, it’s economy is not strong and in this regard, it needs foreign aids. On the other hand, the USA, Russia and China posses nuclear power and are economically well off. Since World War I, the USA has maintained it’s supremacy over the world, in first phase, through military capability and weaponry strength and in second phase, by the dint of its strong economy. But since last two decades, rising of two regional powers; Russia and China, became the nightmare for the USA. Russia, the exporter of technology and china, rising power and economical giant, are the rivals of the USA and are challenging it’s dominancy in the region. Especially, china’s rise and economic policies has posed menace for the USA’s dignity and status quo in the region and in international arena. Globalization has furnished a platform for trade and promoted interdependence among the nation-states. Owing to this, world will hesitate to opt the way of war to jeopardize its economy, prosperity and also to exhaust its military might. Russia’s provision of new weapons and china’s economic projects and bail outs have filled the gap of demand in the region which is ultimate challenge to the USA marketing. This all is due to growing economy of Beijing and Moscow. Pakistan, being developing country and economically weak, has been seeking assistance from neighbouring countries and from its supporter. Since 1947, Pakistan had been good friend and supporter of the USA and (Pakistan) got both military and financial support as well. But in the wake 21st century, china, the old friend, became the new supporter of Pakistan in the region. As the rise of china is being considered as threat to the USA and Pak-China relationship impacted the connection between Pakistan and the USA. In this regard, the USA found alternative ally in the shape of India, in South Asia.The game of shifting alliances started, despites embittered memories of colder war and war in Afghanistan, Russia also found Pakistan as its big ally and started trade relation and also military exercises with Pakistan. On the other hand, the USA established military as well as economic ties with India to created threat for china which is also threat for Pakistan’s sovereignty.Under the auspices of the USA, India is trying to become regional power and is also trying to challenge china in the region. Recently, border tension between India and China is the result of India’s growing economy and the USA’s Support. The USA backed India’s activities create the unrest in the region which affects the china’s investment, multipurpose projects and more importantly, the peace of region. But the dream of becoming regional power and economically strong instigates India to be in conflict with China which may lead to a total war not just between China and India but the whole region may br indulged into the war and may end up massive destruction, loss of million of dollars and millitary exhaustion. It would also make the region vulnerable for superpower like the USA.To cap it all, along with military capability, economic strength is also of great importance. The country, which is more prosper and more economically strong, is more powerful. According to the theory of realism in I.R “a countries power is crucial in determining the outcomes the conflict and also to influence other countries”. From this statement, it is clear that power is main thing in global affairs. In other words, power is the guarantee for the preservation of a country and to create influence over others, does not matter, which kind of power a country posesses. In an interview, Air vice Marshal (Retd) Shahzad Chaudary asserted that “the only reality of the world is economy.”
