The evolving global order has placed Europe and Asia at a crossroads, where mutual perceptions significantly influence bilateral and multilateral relations. Europe, as one of Asia’s largest trading partners and a key player in global diplomacy, plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s geopolitical and economic dynamics.
Historically seen as a bastion of progress, human rights, and multilateralism, Europe is undergoing profound internal changes. For Pakistan, a key Asian state, these changes offer a lens through which to assess Europe’s role and relevance in the region. Against the backdrop of these transformations, it is worth exploring how Europe is currently viewed from Pakistan and whether its image in Asia is undergoing evolution.
Traditional Perceptions of Europe in Pakistan
Europe has long been regarded as a symbol of economic prosperity, innovation, and cultural sophistication. Post-independence, Pakistan’s relationship with Europe was shaped by colonial legacies, trade, and development assistance. European countries were perceived as neutral mediators in global conflicts, a counterweight to US dominance, and champions of multilateralism.
The European Union (EU) in particular became synonymous with integration and cooperative governance. For Pakistan, Europe’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) programme has been instrumental in boosting exports, symbolising Europe’s economic engagement with developing countries. Additionally, Europe’s emphasis on education, scientific collaboration, and climate action has fostered a positive image in Pakistan.
However, these perceptions were not without nuance. For instance, in 2022, Pakistan’s exports to the EU under the GSP+ programme amounted to $9.3 billion, with textiles making up a significant share. At the same time, Europe’s colonial past and its policies in the Muslim world, such as its stance on Palestine, Afghanistan, and Jammu & Kashmir, have occasionally sparked criticism. Nevertheless, Europe’s reputation as a principled actor has largely prevailed in Pakistan’s public and political discourse.
Europe’s Internal Changes and Their Ripple Effects
In recent years, Europe has faced internal challenges that have begun to reshape its global image, including in Pakistan. These challenges include economic instability due to the Eurozone debt crisis and inflationary pressures, which have dented Europe’s reputation as an economic powerhouse.
The Eurozone’s economic struggles are evident in the slowdown of GDP growth from 3.5% in 2022 to 0.4% in 2023, with projections for 2024 remaining modest at 0.8%, according to the European Commission. Additionally, the rise of populist leaders and anti-immigration rhetoric has intensified political fragmentation, further challenging Europe’s commitment to democracy and human rights.
Europe’s geopolitical dependence, particularly its alignment with US policies in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel’s war on Palestine, has cast doubts regarding its strategic autonomy. For Pakistan, this alignment further complicates its perception of Europe, as Europe’s uncritical support for Ukraine contrasts with its selective approach to other conflicts, such as the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine. This imbalance not only undermines Europe’s claim to be a neutral arbiter in global affairs but also reinforces scepticism regarding its commitment to equity and justice on a global scale.
Incidents of Islamophobia, including anti-hijab laws, Quran desecrations, and xenophobic remarks targeting Pakistani communities, have alienated Muslim communities across Europe. These developments have drawn sharp criticism from Pakistan, further undermining Europe’s moral authority in the region. Reports from the Pew Research Center highlight a sharp rise in anti-Muslim sentiment across several European nations, reinforcing these perceptions.
Europe’s Image from Pakistan’s Lens
Despite these challenges, Europe remains an important trade partner for Pakistan. GSP+ status has enabled Pakistani exports, particularly textiles, to thrive in European markets, although recent environmental and labour standards have introduced hurdles perceived as protectionist.
In 2022, Pakistan’s exports to the European Union (EU) were valued at approximately $9.94 billion, total exports were valued at $39.52 billion. This significant share underscores the EU’s importance as a trading partner for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Europe’s approach to human rights, especially its rising Islamophobia, disregard for Muslim sentiments, and its selective approach towards the implementation of international rules and regulations, has altered its moral image. High-profile incidents, such as bans on religious symbols in France, Quran desecrations in Scandinavia, and crackdowns on peaceful pro-Palestinian protests in various European countries, are seen as contradictions to Europe’s proclaimed commitment to freedom of religion and human rights.
Geopolitically, Europe’s close alignment with US policies has deepened scepticism regarding Pakistan. The divergence in approaches toward Taliban-led Afghanistan, with Pakistan advocating for pragmatic engagement and Europe taking a more cautious stance, highlights the complexities in their bilateral relationship. While Pakistan advocates for pragmatic engagement to stabilise the region, including its continued insistence on convincing and pressuring the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan from being used for terrorism and militancy, Europe’s reluctance to formally engage with the Taliban and the lack of substantive pressure beyond statements have added to the divergence in their approaches.
Recent statements from the United States about potentially removing Pakistan’s status as a Non-NATO ally have further strained perceptions, signalling a shift in how strategic partnerships are evaluated. While this decision was primarily driven by the US, the silence and lack of a substantial response from its European NATO partners highlight the extent to which Europe has lost its strategic autonomy. This apparent complicity further underscores Europe’s diminished ability to assert an independent foreign policy stance, aligning it closely with US decisions.
Additionally, concerns raised by former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwar Kakar, linking the rise in terrorism to NATO’s leftover weapons in the region, underscore a growing sentiment of discontent with Western policies. The chaotic US-led withdrawal from Afghanistan, supported by many European nations, is seen as a failure of Western policy, which could have been handled more amicably.
Europe’s open support for Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza, showing blatant disregard for human rights and international law, has created significant resentment in Pakistan. Additionally, Europe’s stance on Jammu & Kashmir, coupled with its criticism of Pakistan’s principled position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has further contributed to differences in perceptions.
Europe’s instrumental role in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has compelled Pakistan to undertake extensive reforms. While these measures have addressed international concerns, Pakistan’s prolonged grey list status under FATF has significantly hampered its international standing and discouraged foreign direct investment (FDI), further straining bilateral ties and negatively impacting the public perception within Pakistan as well.
However, Europe’s strong emphasis on climate action resonates positively with Pakistan, as the country is acutely vulnerable to its effects. Notably, the EU’s pledge of €83 million in humanitarian aid following Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2022 demonstrates its potential for constructive engagement.
The Way Forward: A Nuanced Perspective
Europe’s internal challenges do not diminish its importance to Pakistan but rather highlight the need for a more balanced and pragmatic approach to bilateral relations. Europe’s expertise in renewable energy presents significant potential to aid Pakistan in transitioning to a sustainable energy model, offering pathways to address its energy deficit and reduce reliance on non-renewable resources. Strengthened academic exchanges between Europe and Pakistan can foster innovation and mutual understanding, while joint initiatives to combat climate change can reinforce Europe’s positive image in the country.
For Europe, addressing the perception gap in Pakistan requires a consistent commitment to policies that reflect its proclaimed principles. Greater engagement on issues of mutual concern, such as tackling Islamophobia and easing trade barriers, can help rebuild trust and goodwill, ensuring a more cooperative future. For instance, expanding technical assistance programmes for Pakistani exporters to meet EU environmental standards could bridge existing trade challenges.
Conclusion
Europe’s image in Pakistan is undergoing a nuanced transformation, shaped by its internal changes and external actions. Traditional perceptions of Europe as a bastion of progress and multilateralism persist, but they are increasingly accompanied by scepticism driven by rising Islamophobia, political fragmentation, and selective stances on global issues.
However, these challenges also present opportunities for recalibration. Through balanced and principled engagement, Europe has the potential to reinforce its credibility in Pakistan while fostering stronger ties based on mutual respect and shared interests. A pragmatic and cooperative Europe-Pakistan partnership can not only address bilateral concerns but also contribute to broader global stability amidst a shifting international order.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
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