Home Journal List Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society Volume 28 Article Details

Divergent Interests: Franco-Pakistan Relations in 1950s

Abstract

The level of bilateral relations between sovereign states is based on their mutual interests in diplomacy, economy and cultural affinity. This bilateralism is sometimes influenced by external and internal factors. France and Pakistan are two states which have a gradual slow process of having cordial relationship. They had no clash of interest but at the same time they, also had no agreement of interest in 1950s which forced them to be close. So Pakistan and France could not establish cordial relations until 1960s. Their attitude towards each other was rather indifferent in early years. The research for this article has been concluded in a way which explains the reader that due to three factors linked to the international and domestic constraints, France and Pakistan were showing indifferent attitude towards each other in 1950s. Cold war politics, weak domestic administration and some existential issue like decolonization for France and Kashmir for Pakistan absorbed their attention in a way that cordial relationship put asides for coming decade. The benefits of cordial relations which they enjoyed in later years indicate that if they had it, in early years, might influence the events happening in Asia and Europe. When Lord Palmerstone in 19th century announced “there is no permanent friend or foe in international relations”, he, in fact, had succinctly explained the stark reality of international politics that relationships among sovereign states based on those priorities which they set for their national interests. This approach signifies the Franco- Pakistan relations in round the years but here the focus is only the decade of 1950s.

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