The United States’ 60th presidential election will be held on 5th November 2024, which is believed to be the most interesting in the recent history of the United States. It will be the turning point and the beginning of a new political arena in the USA. The current president Biden, whose term will end in January 2025, has decided not to contest re-election for his second term, rather, he seems backing the current Vice President Kamala Harris as the contesting candidate from the democratic party against the popular Donald Trump from the Republican Party. Kamala and Trump are competing to win 270 electoral votes to secure victory as the new president of the USA. Moreover, the election of 5th November will not merely induce the politics and foreign policies of the USA, rather it will have its implications on the global politics and world order. It will greatly impact international relations and policymaking, particularly, it will be crucial in the current crisis in the Middle East.
Moreover, in the context of Pakistan, the United States’ presidential election of 2024 has an indispensable importance for the relationship of US-Pakistan. The 2024 election will induce every aspect of the two countries’ relations, particularly, diplomatic, economic, and strategic bonds. Adding more to this, the new setup after the election will shape the foreign policy for Pakistan, specifically, the new policy will be crucial for investment and trade along with the regional stability and peace in South Asia. Furthermore, the new policy will also be critical for strategizing terrorism in the region, specifically, Pakistan. If the post-election policy is friendly and cooperative, it will certainly create more development opportunities and strengthen the ties between both countries. Furthermore, on the micro level, the results of the 2024 presidential election will also influence the country’s political environment along with its implications on the policies of the regional countries, particularly, China and India.
Currently, Pakistan has various internal crises, mainly, political and economic, and some external challenges, like shaping foreign policy for regional countries, particularly, India, and Afghanistan, and globally, for Middle Eastern countries. So, therefore. The U.S. election will be of high importance for Pakistan to redefine its relationship with the U.S. Moreover, the presidential candidates of the 2024 election, both, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have different approaches to making strategies, that will greatly influence and impact Pakistan’s economic crisis and will be critical for regional security, and terrorism. However, despite the results, and the winning candidate, Pakistan ought to strengthen its diplomatic relations with the USA and build a strategy that assists Pakistan in economic development, and regional stability.
Furthermore, Pakistan is facing economic downfall, the issue of regional instability, the burden of terrorism, political turmoil, public anger, and high inflation due to the conditions and terms of the IMF package. Likewise, the Indian-backed terrorist activities and Afghanistan’s terror on the borders are threatening national stability and major projects like CPEC. Therefore, the presidential election will bring many opportunities for Pakistan along with challenges. For instance, the off-late remarks from the US Congress on the electoral process of Pakistan have been tackled with a stern approach, and considered as an interference in the national affairs of the country.
Moving ahead, another critical and worth considering element in the presidential election is the Pakistani American community, which seems taking a deep interest in the upcoming elections, and it will play a crucial role in shaping U.S. policies towards Pakistan. Likewise, another aspect is the importance of geopolitics, which is highly important for the foreign policy of both countries, like; strategizing the tensions in the Middle East, and policies for the regional power China, which makes the relationship of US-Pakistan more complex. Therefore, the policies of the new setup in America will greatly influence national and geopolitical affairs.
When it comes to the popular candidate, Trump, he will most likely show a strict approach toward terrorism by exerting pressure on Pakistan for actions against terrorist groups. Therefore, it will be a challenge for Pakistan’s administration to handle this situation while addressing the public sentiments. Furthermore, if the last tenure has to be analyzed, Trump, as a president cut off 1.3 million dollars in security assistance to Pakistan, so, his second term will likely impact Pakistan’s relations with regional power China, and the mega projects like CPEC.
Contrary, the democratic party’s candidate, Kamala Harris is expected to follow a more diplomatic and progressive approach toward Pakistan. She will likely support human rights, laws, and regulations, and bring economic opportunities to Pakistan. Moreover, she will support and continue the policies of Biden’s administrative policies, which will ensure a stable and healthy policy and approach toward Pakistan. Furthermore, it is also believed that Kamala Harris could seek the assistance of Pakistan to counter the terror of terrorist groups, such as; Al-Qaeda, that will strengthen the ties of US-Pakistan.
So, therefore, under these circumstances, Pakistan has to prioritize the stability of governance and maintain national peace to establish strong ties with the USA’s new administration after the election. Moreover, to get utter support, Pakistan also has to address various major issues, for instance; manage external affairs and diplomatic policies, and address the current political and economic turmoil. Likewise, Pakistan has to ensure its geopolitical importance in the region as a key player for regional stability, particularly, in handling the Taliban’s government, and terrorism. Additionally, Pakistan ought to prioritize US economic assistance, and trade and investment opportunities for Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistan should ask for cooperation on global issues like climate change, terrorism, poverty, etc. So, by developing well-adjusted and long-term ties with the US, Pakistan could establish much more predictable and sustainable relationships with the US that address both countries’ national and strategic interests. Therefore, through this strategy, Pakistan can minimize its current challenges and set the foundations for a more developed and stable future of Pakistan.
To conclude, the 5th November 2024 presidential elections are critical for Pakistan’s national, regional, and global policies. Moreover, by strengthening its ties with the new administration, Pakistan can address its internal and external issues, and bring economic stability to the country by creating more economic investments in Pakistan. Moreover, such cooperation and the mutual-based alliance will improve Pakistan’s global position and address its’ national and regional challenges.
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The Author, Usman Khan is a student of International Relations at Air University, Islamabad. Usman is an aspiring researcher with a strong passion for conflict management, peacebuilding, and understanding the politics of global affairs.
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