Ayub Khan's foreign policies between 1958 and 1959

Question 1

How did Pakistan’s alignment with the U.S. affect relations with China in 1958-1959?

Answer 1

• In 1958-1959, Pakistan’s reliance on U.S. support, especially for foreign aid, strained relations with China.
• When the U.S. opposed China’s entry into the United Nations, Pakistan followed suit, voting against China.
• This weakened early ties between the two nations, as China viewed Pakistan’s position as pro-Western and anti-communist.

Question 2

What was the U2 spy plane incident of 1960, and how did it affect Pakistan-Soviet relations?

Answer 2

• In 1960, a U.S. U2 spy plane, launched from Pakistan’s Peshawar base, was shot down over Soviet airspace.
• The USSR saw this as an act of aggression, damaging Pakistan-Soviet relations.
• Although this hurt diplomatic ties with the USSR, it strengthened Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S., showing Ayub Khan’s commitment to the Western alliance.

Question 3

How did Pakistan-Soviet relations improve in 1961?

Answer 3

• Despite the U2 incident, Pakistan-Soviet relations improved in 1961 when the USSR agreed to explore oil in Pakistan.
• This move towards economic cooperation helped repair the strained relationship and signaled Soviet willingness to engage with Pakistan diplomatically.

Question 4

How did Pakistan-China relations develop by 1963?

Answer 4

• By 1963, Pakistan and China resolved their border dispute peacefully, a major diplomatic achievement.
• This improved relations significantly, with China granting Pakistan a $60 million interest-free loan.
• This marked the beginning of a strong partnership, which would later shape Pakistan’s strategic foreign policy.

Question 5

What were the outcomes of Ayub Khan’s visit to the Soviet Union in 1965

Answer 5

• Ayub Khan’s visit to the Soviet Union in 1965 resulted in a £11 million loan and agreements on trade and oil exploration.
• This visit further strengthened Soviet-Pakistani relations, showing that Pakistan could maintain balanced relations with both the U.S. and the USSR, despite Cold War tensions.

Question 6

What was the result of the 1965 war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir?

Answer 6

• The 1965 war with India over Kashmir ended in a military stalemate, with no decisive winner.
• The conflict strained Pakistan-India relations further and left the Kashmir issue unresolved, despite significant military and resource losses on both sides.

Question 7

What was the Tashkent Declaration of 1966, and how did it affect Pakistan-India relations?

Answer 7

• The Tashkent Declaration, brokered by the Soviet Union in 1966, aimed to restore peace between India and Pakistan following the 1965 war.
• While it temporarily eased tensions and improved Soviet-Pakistani relations, it did not resolve the core Kashmir issue, leaving the conflict unresolved.