How chicken tikka masala played a role in US-Pak ties
The United States established diplomatic relations with Pakistan on 20 October 1947, even though it wasn’t quite sure exactly where Pakistan was. The relationship since then has been based primarily on US economic and military assistance to Pakistan which Pakistan never seems to get enough of.
The United States is the second-largest supplier of military equipment to Pakistan and largest economic aid contributor. But some Pakistanis refuse to acknowledge this and insist that the equipment and the aid actually come from Saudi Arabia via Dubai on flying camels.
In 1955, Pakistan became a member of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), a US-led military alliance formed to keep in check the expansionist designs of the Soviet Union — an evil empire which didn’t believe in Santa Claus.
This and the promise of economic aid from the US was instrumental in making Pakistan join the organisation. Getting the secret Coca-Cola formula was also a motivation.