UN, S Asia and the far-right narrative

So, there you go. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has become all too relevant again. World leaders seem to have come prepared. The level of bellicosity every leader is going to exude will determine the effectiveness of his/her speech. President Trump took to the stage on Tuesday, and didn’t disappoint the far-right nationalists. There’s a reason why Benjamin Netanyahu was quick enough to say: “In over 30 years in my experience with the UN, I never heard a bolder or more courageous speech.”

Speaking of the far-right and ultra-conservative narrative, there’s a region that has, perhaps, been affected by it the most. South Asia it is. In an article I penned in February, I categorically stated that mudslinging and blaming each other would only make matters worse for Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2017. They didn’t learn. And, here we are.

With India in the mix as well, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan should understand that they just can’t go about threatening one another all the time. War has always been a nasty business. And, who better to know this than the people of Afghanistan themselves. Let’s give peace a chance, folks.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he’s eager to initiate talks with Pakistan. But, here’s the catch. “What I am offering the Pakistan government… is the invitation to a comprehensive dialogue. If Pakistan does not take this opportunity, I think they will pay a high price,” Ghani added. Now, how is this message going to be interpreted in Islamabad isn’t much of a conundrum, anyway. You cannot invite for a dialogue and threaten for consequences at the same time. A poorly written script to say the least.

Perhaps, out of all the issues South Asia is currently faced with, there’s something inherently amiss with how their leaders think. They seem to focus more on what the neighboring country’s security policy should be, instead of resorting to some introspection and putting the right policy in place at home. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi did all he could to keep the tradition intact.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on Wednesday, he said, “We don’t foresee any political or military role for India in Afghanistan. I think it will just complicate the situation and it will not resolve anything. So if they want to do economic assistance, that’s their prerogative, but there’s no — we don’t accept or see any role politically or militarily for India in Afghanistan.” It’s for Pakistan not to fall into that trap. It’s always better to keep some of your ideas closer to your chest.

And, when it comes to warfare policies — which, unfortunately, Afghanistan is all about — you better not give a clue on what’s inside your head. Whether Pakistan acquiesces to India’s role in Afghanistan or not, it wouldn’t alter the situation much. Let’s be very clear. India will continue doing what it has envisaged in Afghanistan, and it wouldn’t seek Pakistan’s approval, anyway.

Look, here’s the thing. Even if President Trump’s latest Afghan policy is to bring a tactical victory in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India are likely to lose at the strategic level. It will always remain a safer option for both India and Pakistan to engage with each other with regard to Afghanistan. Else, as we’ve seen in the past, and with foreign troops on ground, it doesn’t take long for the things in Afghanistan to spiral out of control. And, since India has now become a major stakeholder in Afghanistan, it wouldn’t be allowed to keep the cake and eat it too.

So, again. India-Pakistan rapprochement is the safest bet. Let’s dwell on what’s in store for the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2017.

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