US-Pakistan Relations / Why did Pakistan offer the US the option of building a port in the Arabian Sea?

US-Pakistan Relations: Following President Donald Trump's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistan has made a strategic move with the United States, raising new geopolitical ripples in the Arabian Sea littoral. According to a report in the Financial Times, advisers to Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have submitted a proposal to US officials to build and operate a new port in Pasni on the Arabian Sea. The project, which seeks an estimated $1.2 billion in funding, will involve joint participation by Pakistan and the United States. This move not only strengthens Islamabad-Washington relations but could also mark a turning point in South Asia's complex power balance.

Background of the Pasni Port Proposal: Why Did Pakistan Make This Move?

Pasni, a small fishing town in Balochistan province, is located just 100 kilometers from Gwadar Port. The proposal follows a meeting at the White House in September, where Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Asim Munir appealed to Trump for investment in the agriculture, technology, mining, and energy sectors. At that meeting, Munir and Sharif presented Trump with samples of Pakistan's rare minerals, which are crucial for batteries, fireproof materials, and missile manufacturing. According to reports, the plan focuses on US investors developing a terminal in Pasni, which would ensure the transportation of minerals like copper and antimony through a rail network connecting to mines like Reko Diq.

Pakistan's move comes amid its economic crisis and growing dependence on China. Gwadar, a symbol of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is already a hub of regional trade. But the Pasni proposal offers the US an alternative gateway, without requiring a military base. Pakistani officials say it is a commercial idea that would strengthen Islamabad's position in the turmoil in South Asia.

Potential Impact on India: A New Challenge for Chabahar

Pasni's geographical location makes it a sensitive point. Located 100 miles from the Iranian border and just 300 kilometers from the India-supported Chabahar port, this project could impact India's access to Central Asia. Chabahar, where India is developing the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, is a conduit for strengthening trade ties with Afghanistan and Iran. The development of Pasni could further intensify the Gwadar-Chabahar rivalry, especially with the US involvement.

This could be detrimental to India as it would allow the US to gain a deeper influence in the region, which would indirectly strengthen Pakistan. Experts believe that New Delhi will have to revise its strategy, including further strengthening Chabahar and increasing bilateral dialogue with the US. The instability in Balochistan—where a separatist insurgency continues—also makes this project risky.

Potential US Interest: A Blend of Minerals and Strategy

This proposal is attractive to the Trump administration. Pakistan's mineral reserves—including rare earth elements—could strengthen US supply chains, especially in efforts to reduce China-dependence. The proposal prohibits military use, but it would serve as a means to expand US influence in Central Asia and the Arabian Sea. The funding model would combine Pakistani federal resources and US development finance, promoting economic cooperation.

While there has been no official response from the White House or State Department, Trump's advisers have described it as a "business idea," the US would be cautious given Pakistan's history of supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Backfire Effects on China and India: Shifting Regional Equations

For China, this proposal could pose a challenge to the BRI. Despite heavy investment in Gwadar, Pasni would provide the US with an alternative hub, standing against Beijing's expansionist policies. Iran would also be affected, as Pasni is close to its border. This poses an indirect obstacle to India's Chabahar initiative, potentially disrupting the regional trade balance.

Analysts say Pakistan is attempting to pressure China and woo the US with this move, but it could escalate regional tensions.

The Core of Pakistan's Strategy: Warming Trump-Munir Relations

This proposal is an extension of the relationship that emerged after the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. Trump took credit for the ceasefire, while India denied any third-party role. Pakistan nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Prize, praising his "strategic vision." Munir's visit to the White House in June—the first by a Pakistani army chief—reflects this "strategic romance." The presentation of mineral samples at the September meeting and now the port proposal clearly demonstrate Pakistan's pro-US policy.

A Pakistani advisor said, "The entire landscape of US-Pakistan relations has changed since the war." But experts caution that this could be a "temporary alliance," given Pakistan's deepening partnership with China.

The beginning of a new geopolitical race?

The Pasni port proposal symbolizes Pakistan's dynamic diplomacy, which seeks to strike a balance amid the economic crisis. But it is a cause for concern for India, China, and Iran, and could disrupt the regional balance of power. If the US agrees, the Arabian Sea could become the center of a new competition. India must now adopt a proactive strategy to ensure that efforts like Chabahar are not undermined. This incident demonstrates how fragile the relationship between peace and trade is in South Asia.