This could threaten world peace in general and the region in particular
SHIKARPUR: The status of Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) was given to India by the US Department of Commerce on July 30. This status provides India with a licence-free tool to import high technology from the US. However, India is the only nation in South Asia, third in Asia and 37th in the world to get the status.
The US has chosen India to counter Chinese military and economic influence. Besides, the US wanted to see Indo-Russian military cooperation deteriorate in light of the sale of the Russian S-400 Triumf Defence Missile System worth $5.5 billion to India.
Now, India is under threat. Either to join hands completely with the US-- its boss-- or Russia — its military supporter. India cannot leave Russian cooperation that easily as Russia provides India with strong military might. On the contrary, STA-1 is really more than enough.
This could threaten world peace in general and the region in particular. It ignites imbalance between Pakistan and India-- two bitter rivals --, and will accelerate arms race in the region. The global powers must understand the consequences of STA-1 and avoid such destabilising alliances.
Wajahat Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2018.
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