Changing US Priorities in South Asia: Challenge for Pakistan's Foreign Policy.

While they span seven decades, Pakistan-US relations lack a bilateral context, with the role of third states being a defining factor in shaping their bilateral ties. Over the years, both states have undergone three phases of engagements, while also experiencing irritants in their relationship; yet somehow, the relationship continued to survive. The post- Cold War era has witnessed the evolving strategic priorities of the US in different regions, particularly in South Asia. At present, US policy in the region is influenced by its strategic competition with China as well as by its counter-terrorism concerns vis-à-vis Taliban-led Afghanistan. In this regard, the US has been forming and strengthening the existing bilateral and multilateral regional arrangements. The most challenging of these developments has been the India--US strategic partnership that has farreaching consequences for Pakistan. This article focusses on highlighting three triangular relationships: those between the US and India, the US and China, and the US and Afghanistan and their implications for Pakistan-US relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]