PAKISTAN AND REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (RCD): A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Islamic identity and to safeguards its economic interests were the main objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy overture towards the Muslim world.  To achieve these goals Pakistan advanced the idea of the (Regional Cooperation for Development) RCD.  Two other Muslim states, Iran and Turkey had a lukewarm attitude with the basic idea of a Regional organization. Iran and Turkey were not only reluctant to join this organization but the western powers also had apprehensions about the concept of RCD. Western powers had reservations that having already CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) another organization will also be redundant in its existence. Both Iran and Turkey wanted to build RCD without deserting the Western bloc, which they considered vital to safeguard their long terms interests associated with CENTO. To dispel the West's reaction towards RCD in already existing arrangements of CENTO, member countries propagated that this would be an economic and developmental organization among the co-religion states. But for Pakistan RCD was a multipurpose platform that retains its Islamic identity, makes a choice in foreign policy, and gets rid of the impression of western tutelage. Similarly, Pakistan was shocked by the Western allies’ overtures towards India, after its defeat to China in the 1962 border clashes. Pakistan was looking for new friends to counterbalance this situation.