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The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent country through the partition of India in August 1947 and was admitted as a United Nations member state in September 1947. It is currently the second-largest country within the Muslim world in terms of population, and is also the only Muslim-majority country in possession of nuclear weapons.[1][2][3] De facto, the country shares direct land borders with India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China.
The country has extensive trade relations with the European Union[4] and with several countries globally.[5] As of 2023[update], Pakistan does not recognize two other United Nations member states (Armenia and Israel) and its ties with India remain frozen since 2019.[6][7]
From a geopolitical perspective, Pakistan's location is strategically important as it is situated at the crossroads of major maritime and land transit routes between the Middle East and South Asia, while also serving as a bridge between the Arabian Sea and the energy-rich regions of Central Asia.[8][9] Since the partition of India, the Kashmir conflict has defined the India–Pakistan relationship: the two countries claim each other's zones of control in Kashmir, but are separated by a ceasefire boundary known as the Line of Control.[10] Pakistan has close bilateral ties with China and the Muslim world, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf Arab countries.[11] As a part of the First World during the Cold War, Pakistan closely cooperated with the United States to combat the global influence of the Soviet Union,[12] though this relationship later became strained over the course of the War on Terror.[13] Pakistan is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- ^ "Pakistani Nuclear Forces". Atomic Archive.
- ^ "Pakistan". NTI.
- ^ "By 2050, India to have world's largest populations of Hindus and Muslims".
- ^ "EU trade relations with Pakistan. Facts, figures and latest developments". European Commission.
- ^ "Pakistan trade balance, exports and imports by country 2020". World integrated trade solution.
- ^ "Pakistan downgrades diplomatic ties with India over Kashmir". AP News. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan prepares for crucial elections in 2024 as ties with India remain frozen". The Hindu. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Strategic Significance of Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward". ISSI. 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Strategic location of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities". Pakistan today. 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Conflict Between India and Pakistan". Global conflict tracker. 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Foreign Relations of Pakistan" (PDF). CIDOB.
- ^ "Pakistan committed to expanding trade ties with US". DAWN. 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan and U.S.-Pakistan Relations". CRS Reports. Retrieved 22 May 2023.