At a time when Donald Trump is once again trying to take credit for peace between India and Pakistan, a viral video of former Pakistani ambassador to US Husain Haqqani is shedding light on a little-known past, the early days of US-Pakistan ties, which he calls an "epic history of misunderstanding."
In the viral clip, Haqqani speaks about how Pakistan, created in 1947, had no deep historic or cultural roots like India, Iran, or China. “Pakistan was a created country, an imagined country. But it wasn’t completely or fully imagined,” he says.
He also points out that Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had lived most of his life in Bombay and had even hoped to retire and be buried there, showing just how disconnected the country’s leadership was from its geography.
But the most striking detail is about Pakistan’s army. Haqqani explains, “Pakistan ended up with a large army, about a third of British India’s army, but only 17% of the resources. So, what do you do with an army you can’t afford?”
Pakistan's strategy: Make the army useful
According to Haqqani, Pakistan had two options: either reduce the size of the army, or make it useful to global powers so that others would pay for it. Pakistan chose the second route.
America wasn’t interested at first
When Pakistan first approached the US in 1947 asking for $2 billion in aid, Washington gave just $10 million. Between 1947 and 1952, America kept its distance, willing to offer small support but not ready to become military allies.
All of this changed when Dwight Eisenhower became President and John Foster Dulles took over as Secretary of State. Dulles wanted to form a global military circle against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and Pakistan offered to help.
Haqqani says Pakistan’s army chief at the time, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, even told US officials, “Our army will be your army, as long as you pay for it.”
A mix-up that changed history
Haqqani also highlights how little the Americans knew about South Asia. Dulles reportedly confused Gurkhas, a Hindu community from Nepal, with Pakistani Muslims. When journalist Walter Lippmann pointed out the mistake, Dulles reportedly said, “Oh, I thought they were Muslims.” Lippmann corrected him again: “They are Hindus from Nepal.”
“That’s how the Americans ended up backing Pakistan, based on a total misunderstanding,” Haqqani says in the clip.
Fast forward to 2025: Trump is back
In 2025, Donald Trump is once again in the spotlight, claiming credit for defusing tensions between India and Pakistan after a ceasefire was announced along the Line of Control (LoC).
Posting on Truth Social, US president Trump praised the “strong and powerful leadership” of both nations and claimed the US played a major role in reaching the agreement after a “long night” of talks. He also promised to boost trade with both countries, even though trade wasn’t part of the discussion.
India says it was a bilateral deal
India, however, dismissed the claim of third-party involvement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the ceasefire understanding was a direct result of talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
“This was a bilateral understanding. India remains firm and uncompromising in its fight against terrorism and will continue to defend its interests,” Jaishankar said.
In the viral clip, Haqqani speaks about how Pakistan, created in 1947, had no deep historic or cultural roots like India, Iran, or China. “Pakistan was a created country, an imagined country. But it wasn’t completely or fully imagined,” he says.
He also points out that Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had lived most of his life in Bombay and had even hoped to retire and be buried there, showing just how disconnected the country’s leadership was from its geography.
But the most striking detail is about Pakistan’s army. Haqqani explains, “Pakistan ended up with a large army, about a third of British India’s army, but only 17% of the resources. So, what do you do with an army you can’t afford?”
Pakistan's strategy: Make the army useful
According to Haqqani, Pakistan had two options: either reduce the size of the army, or make it useful to global powers so that others would pay for it. Pakistan chose the second route.
America wasn’t interested at first
When Pakistan first approached the US in 1947 asking for $2 billion in aid, Washington gave just $10 million. Between 1947 and 1952, America kept its distance, willing to offer small support but not ready to become military allies.
All of this changed when Dwight Eisenhower became President and John Foster Dulles took over as Secretary of State. Dulles wanted to form a global military circle against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and Pakistan offered to help.
Haqqani says Pakistan’s army chief at the time, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, even told US officials, “Our army will be your army, as long as you pay for it.”
A mix-up that changed history
Haqqani also highlights how little the Americans knew about South Asia. Dulles reportedly confused Gurkhas, a Hindu community from Nepal, with Pakistani Muslims. When journalist Walter Lippmann pointed out the mistake, Dulles reportedly said, “Oh, I thought they were Muslims.” Lippmann corrected him again: “They are Hindus from Nepal.”
“That’s how the Americans ended up backing Pakistan, based on a total misunderstanding,” Haqqani says in the clip.
Fast forward to 2025: Trump is back
In 2025, Donald Trump is once again in the spotlight, claiming credit for defusing tensions between India and Pakistan after a ceasefire was announced along the Line of Control (LoC).
Posting on Truth Social, US president Trump praised the “strong and powerful leadership” of both nations and claimed the US played a major role in reaching the agreement after a “long night” of talks. He also promised to boost trade with both countries, even though trade wasn’t part of the discussion.
India says it was a bilateral deal
India, however, dismissed the claim of third-party involvement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the ceasefire understanding was a direct result of talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
“This was a bilateral understanding. India remains firm and uncompromising in its fight against terrorism and will continue to defend its interests,” Jaishankar said.
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