The US has taken a major step against the ballistic missile program of Pakistan. This move from the US came in December 2024. The US has put sanctions on four entities of Pakistan linked to the country’s ballistic missile program.

The US Department cited Pakistan’s development of long-range missiles as a threat. Pakistan condemned the actions, calling them unfortunate. However, defence analysts believed that the US action could backfire.

Pakistan On These US Sanctions

Pakistan, India’s neighbour, sees the US sanctions as an obstacle. They have compared these sanctions with Washington’s increasingly close relations with New Delhi. In the last few years, the defence and strategic partnership between the US and India has grown. Also, India has gained greater access to advanced American defence technologies, as per media reports.

According to the reports by American nuclear scientists, Pakistan is not happy with the growing India-US friendship. They may give a response to counter India’s military advancements, like the space programs. This could make the Pakistan to focus on the making of large-diameter solid rocket motors, that is useful for the space launch vehicles.

Pakistan-China Relations

If Pakistan circumvents these sanctions then they will strengthen the view that these sanctions by the US are ineffective. This will boost the confidence of the US adversaries like North Korea and Iran. If this happens then the relations between China and Pakistan will become stronger.