Terrorism first. If the earlier manifestation of their concerns on terrorism centered around Mumbai, and what got officially repeated the world over by them, cross-border terrorism — now has newer mutations. The Line of Control (LoC) takes the prime spot; and this is based around the 2013 spat across the LoC that went on for a better part of 10 months. Without a doubt, the 2003 ceasefire across the LoC was a key confidence-building measure that sustained a sense of normalcy between the two nuclear neighbours, but what remained enigmatic was its 10-month long negation by both sides even as they alternated barbs of fire with words — sans a political or a military objective.
But then nothing in this historic land of poetic imagination comes without a method. Simply put, the Indians were preparing grounds to pre-empt a speculative induction of the militant groups into Kashmir — a la 1989 — as the war in Afghanistan drew down with the departure of the US/ISAF, raising the possibility that those employed there would soon need to find a newer occupation. Hence, the intended conflation of both cross-border terrorism and the eruption of the LoC, and the obvious coining of it as Pakistan’s preparatory manoeuvre to re-enact and exploit a past Indian vulnerability.
Without a neutral body to ascertain facts, such allegations fly with little check. Pakistan feels that India violated and vitiated the relative calm on the LoC to make a pre-emptory case for such an apprehension that at best was only speculative and imagined. The fact is that 2014 is not 1989; and the strategic context is a lot different. Incidents of cross-border intrusions are far less and have gone down considerably according to India’s own record of such events; as are indeed recorded incidents of militancy-related violence, which have come down infinitesimally in Kashmir compared to 2003. In this Track II, Herat — where the Indian consulate was attacked on the day that Narendra Modi was inaugurated in Delhi — was consistently repeated as an exhibit of Pakistan’s collusion with terror; without for a moment recognising the possibility of other agents who would rather see any effort at rapprochement change back to confrontation simply to divert Pakistan’s focus away from its operation in North Waziristan. India’s characterisation of Pakistan is not only stuck in a groove, it remains patently insidious.
On to trade then. Without a doubt, trade is the modern equivalent to familial bonding that used to come with intermarriages among ruling families of competing states. Through such relationships, one bought influence while leveraging stakes. In the India-Pakistan context though, the amount that such trade will add to India’s GDP, by one account, will be minute. That is to reinforce, if you missed the point, that really, trade too is a favour that India makes for Pakistan. The current trade figures of around $2.7 billion will be augmented to a figure of around $10 billion even if all trade is made free and without any accompanying barriers. The experts are quick to point out that this too shall only be the regularisation of the indirect trade that goes on at around $5 billion, through Dubai mostly.
They also suggest that trade — like water — will find its own course in due time and will regulate in volume depending on the space it finds. ‘Space’ is the operative word here; ‘finding’ it in India is the crux. What will remain a challenge will be to dampen traders’ excitement with producers’ interests, which really means that uninhibited trade will only enrich traders while impoverishing producers. Indian experts sweeten the theory of free trade with the possibility of creating a value chain where all linked can create a specialised niche brought together elsewhere as a product. Translated, it means India will assemble while the rest of the world will provide the parts. It took decades before the European Union reached that level of interdependence, and then with a capacity matrix in technology that more or less mirrored each other. Before that, they became a Union. South Asia, in comparison, remains the least integrated region in the world.
What will interest Pakistan in trading with India is an accompanying treaty on investments that should permit each to invest in other’s economy; to begin with, in preferred areas, before gradually expanding the portfolio of choices. But $10 billion and 0.1 per cent of GDP-rise is not what India is so persistently chasing with Pakistan. To it, trade with Pakistan is akin to breaking into a closed system where when apprehensions are fairly soothed and Indian presence is a matter of fact, the door to riches ‘beyond Afghanistan’ will open. It isn’t only the oil and gas in Central Asia that India will covet, or the market that the stans have on offer; it is the accompanying influence that charts India’s geopolitical rise in the region. It will then compete with China in Central Asia, recreate the magic of a Silk Route relationship, and establish its credentials as a bonafide contender in the larger game of dividends.
Neither then it is ‘transit’ to Afghanistan alone India so vehemently pursues. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are but ‘two serial keys’ to the grander opening beyond. At this Track II, Pakistan linked what India seeks as ‘deliverables’ to what Pakistan seeks as ‘dividends’. The two henceforth will move in unison. The plate on that count remains hopelessly empty with numerous Indo-Pak issues still begging resolution. Corollary: Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon. It has its interests to secure. ‘Deliverables’ and ‘dividends’ are inalienably linked.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
COMMENTS (61)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@AVM Polpot: You are a limit sir, made from Fire ; you even pick up the name of the notorious non believer.
Rex Minor..
@vasan: "How do u write comments not based on truths with a straight face." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ He has already declared himself to be a Minor...not responsible for his utterings.
"Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon. It has its interests to secure. ‘Deliverables’ and ‘dividends’ are inalienably linked." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whereas India has delieverables and duties towards Pakistan.
@Abdul:+ Vasan
Nothing that I have mentioned contridicts your claims. Indians do not integrate with the majority in the West including in the USA!
Rex Minor
Rex Minor : Many people have answered your comments. I have one basic question. How do u write comments not based on truths with a straight face.
@Rex Minor:
Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:02:36 GMT Indian Americans best educated, top earners: US Census The 1.5 million Indian Americans in the US continue to top the US Census charts as the best-educated, highest-paid and top-placed community among the 38.1 million foreign-born population in the country. Source : http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/work/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3193204
Times of India Indians in UK most prosperous among all minority groups Kounteya Sinha, TNN | May 6, 2014, 03.15PM IST Black Africans (18.3%) have the highest unemployment rate. Around 39% of Pakistani and 42% of Bangladeshi women have never worked. Almost 1 in 4 Pakistani men are taxi drivers and half of all Bangladeshi men work in restaurants. In contrast 43% of Indians work in the highest skilled professions. Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/Indians-in-UK-most-prosperous-among-all-minority-groups/articleshow/34732523.cms
@Thotatum25: "On ‘high alert’: Pakistan listed 10th on fragile states index." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Congrats Pakistan......guess the only nuclear power to be fragile!
@Author: you seem to be under the impression that Pakistan can block India's trade routes to Afghanistan and thence to central Asia. It cannot though it can certainly inconvenience India in the short term. India has already decided to bypass Pakistan. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-21/news/507563911chabahar-gwadar-port-india-and-iran
Overestimating your own strengths and underestimating tje options of others has consistently led Pakistan to overreach at its own cost.
@abc: "The pakistani elites want unrestricted access to Indian infrastructure," +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Do I detect an underlying wish to undo the Partition having dicovered the reality of life in the Islamic state?
@Rex Minor: the Indians are in the worst situation, living in ghettos in the west beccause of their inabiity to integrate, their only social contact being the Pakistanis I am an Indian origin US citizen and live in Princeton, New Jersey, for many years. I am not living in a ghetto and neither do most Indians who are in the USA. If you have the inclination to look at statics of earning power in the US please be educated that Indians have the highest living standards in the USA and the second best are the Japanese. The Europeans (including Germans) are way down the ladder. The Indian community does not live in ghettos as you so glibly state.
@Khan: I forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.
Air Vice Marshal, Sir, you have given all the bad news to the Indian business people, now please give the good news to the regular folks that Pakistan military will no longer put boots beyond the LOC, but instead is raising an airbourne nuclear division which will stay in air round the clock, to be able to strike major Indians towns within minutes of any hostility from the neighbour.
Rex Minor
If you cut aside the sarcasm, the crux of your essay is - Indians wanted to talk about terrorism and trade. Is that surprising? Do you blame them for worrying about Pakistan's ability to ramp-up "Jihad"? That paragraph about Pakistan holding some kind of key to India's access to central asia is plainly infantile. If Pakistan does think it is "strategically" located, it should make money out of its location and become a developed country. Instead it is happy being poor, while holding the keys, just because that causes some problems to India. One good reason why ideological states don't do too well!
@Raj - USA: Pakistan is Islamic state with its own cultural, social and religious values. No one have ever accused Pakistani people for dishonety in following their values. If you dont find them compatiable with your's then it is not Pakistan's problem.
@author,
ET mods, please allow my post. I am pointing to the unealistic and defunct archaic Establishment views that the author espouses. As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of madness.
You are a good example of the old predictable mindset that is pushing Pakistan closer to a failed state with each year passing. Your tone suggests that, you being an establishment confidant, the Pak establishment has totally lost sense of all geopolitical reality.
Pakistan is no position to dictate terms to a country 10 times it size in every respect and one that is rapidly putting more distance from Pakistan in economic power. Punching above its weight class has has rendered your country bankrupt and destabilized it. You still seem to live with the motto "we will eat grass to get nukes and inflict a 1000 cuts on India in a 1000 year war".
" Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon. It has its interests to secure. ‘Deliverables’ and ‘dividends’ are inalienably linked."
That statement pretty much sums up all of Pakistan's ills. You believe that you will dictate terms to Afghanistan, a sovereign state, as to whom they want to let in. Yes, we all know what your "interests, deliverable and dividends" are- strategic depth, global terrorists, radicalism and terror attacks?
As long as the Pak Establishment is full of people with your recidivist ideas, Indians don't have to fire a single bullet to destroy Pakistan. You and the Establishment are doing a great job yourself.
" Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon. It has its interests to secure. ‘Deliverables’ and ‘dividends’ are inalienably linked."
Long long ago Gen Hamid Gul sold a dream to Pakistan establishment, the dream of controlling Afghanistan and Central Asia with the help of the 'baayz'.
Looks like AVM Sahib has been drinking from the same cup.
So the question is- Is there a 'Noora Kushti' on in NWA?
Excellent job, Mr Shahzad Chaudhry. Pakistan must protect its long-term interests. No one should give up one's tomorrow for a little bit of pereceived gain today.
@Raj - USA: You have not read the likes of Kamran Shafi etc?
The author is ex army man ... What else would you expect from him. In Pakistan educated ones are busy earning their livelihood and the degree holders are running the show
It seems that Pakistan's overriding interest is that any action not benefit India, no matter how much the same action would benefit Pakistan.
The pakistani elites want unrestricted access to Indian infrastructure, peaceful industrial climate and guaranteed security for their investments in India through an Indian constitutional amendment, the right to own property in India, settle their kith as "managers" in India, to look after their property.
In return we may get access to afghanistan and beyond with our goods being plundered en route by the pakistanis like they do the NATO convoys passing through, leaving us at their complete mercy.
THANKS, but NO THANKS.
@Anticorruption:
Because todays world is divided between the believers and the nonbelievers; the Indians are in the worst situation, living in ghettos in the west beccause of their inabiity to integrate, their only social contact being the Pakistanis with whom they at least have a common culture.
Rex Minor
Let pak finish off ttk and haqqani group. Only then they will become gatekeepers in spake and only then we will know who has the groove and who does not
It's amazing how some of the articles and news stories on ET have more Indian comments than Pakistani ones. And most of them have nothing to f substancto say
India's 4T Groove and Pakistan's 3D Groove.... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Duplicity, Decadence and Denial.
I am yet to see one author writing what Pakistan can contribute positively rather than destructively. I am yet to hear from one Pakistani TV anchor, analyst the same. Pakistan's value lies only in its destruction. If educated are these types, imagine what the uneducated would be. Even the educated class cannot think of how Pakistan can benefit from benefiting others. They can lose both eyes, happily, if they can make the other person lose one eye.
@ Strategic Asset
This Track-II meeting was the 14th Chaophraya Dialogue in the flesh pots of Thailand. The meeting did not have either Mani Shankar Aiyar or Salman Khurshid. The Indian delegation consisted of Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Baijayant Jay Panda, Amb. (retd) Hardeep Singh Puri, Amb. (retd) Vivek Katju, A.S. Dulat, Lt. Gen.(retd) Ravi Sawhney, Sanjaya Baru, Lt. Gen. (retd) Ata Hasnain, Ashok Malik, Siddharth Varadarajan, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Dr. Happymon Jacob and Dr. Mallika Joseph. I hope that Pakistani delegate Sherry Rahman did not find the Indian delegates to be “wall to wall ugly” like she found India’s cabinet to be.
http://jinnah-institute.org/chaophraya-dialogue-14/
@Feroz: "When moral decadence(use of terrorism) marries intellectual bankruptcy(duplicity), for any country a bleak future is inevitable." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well said Sir.
What a self-cenetred attitude!! Mr. Air marshal, wake up its not ro late. Look all around you ans u will find pakistan rotting frim Inside. Hindering India's growth should be last on your mind. U need to be thinking of how to provide and deliver to your own and how to cure the disease spread in your society, not hot stop India from advancing!! What is the difference between u and zaid hamid then??!!
"“Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon”." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yet one more factor contributing to rising Paki popularity in Afghanisatn.
@Feroz: Couldnt have said it any better then this "When moral decadence(use of terrorism) marries intellectual bankruptcy(duplicity), for any country a bleak future is inevitable." How i wish Pakistan could give up this mad up one way self destruct path....but Alas they will not.....Time and Tide waits for None.As for India Needing land route to Central Asia it would be nice to have but it is not absolutely necessary......Indians can live without it.But we cant be allowed to be killed by Non State Actors of Pakistan and act like it is a incident
@Nikki: "India media is responsible for this increasing hate and hostility between the two states." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Madam u didnt credit the leader of LeT/JuD Mr Hafeez Sayeed for the increasing friendship between the two states.
@ Maheen - My thoughts exactly. The 'Flamingo' wouldn't be much of a dance - stand in one place with one leg with the other leg bent.
@bbb - We dance the 'flamenco' and not the 'flamingo' just like we dance the 'salsa' and not the 'sauce'.
Dear AVM Sir, Pakistan tried to block the US movement of goods through its territory and after six months Pakistan was desparate to open the routes. US simply found ways around the problem. India may not have the same resources available to her, but it is not in a big hurry either. Pakistan is simply cutting its nose to spite its face.
With track 2 full of has beens on both sides that no policy maker takes serously, it is just a paid jumboree or the elites.
"the four ‘Ts’ that make India’s policy towards Pakistan: Terrorism, Trial, Trade and Transit. " +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In reality only 1 T : Terror.And sinbce Pakistani terror is branded non state actors....its beyond Pakistan's control.
@maheen: Want to check again? Wikipedia, if you please.
It takes two to tango; it takes just one to untango
Crux of this debate is ' no trade' between ' India and PAKISTAN be possible without trust and both have no trust becuase both have their legtimate concerns and issues (LONGSTANDIN). Idealogical factor cannt be ruled out when peace lover talk about AMAN KI ASHA ,by the passage of time hosility is being increased.India media is responsible for this increasing hate and hostility between the two states.
I agee with comment ascribed by author to Indian track 2 delegates and one the author does not agree with that “In the India-Pakistan context though, the amount that such trade will add to India’s GDP, by one account, will be minute. That is to reinforce, if you missed the point, that really, trade too is a favour that India makes for Pakistan.” India is undoubtedly doing a favour to Pakistan when talking about trade given that Pakistan’s trading potential from an Indian perspective is peanuts. To illustrate the above point take the case of Japan, a country with a known proclivity for carrying on foreign trade besides being a country with which Pakistan has a “normal” relationship. Pakistan imports from Japan are a miniscule USD 1,432Million and exports are an even more miniscule USD478Million (Japan’s trade figures taken from the following weblink : http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/25-Jun-2014/pakistan-s-exports-to-japan-stood-at-478m-in-2013 ). Now USD 2,000 Million might seem big ticket to Pakistan, but for India with foreign trade at around USD463 Billion it is peanuts (India’s trade figures taken from the following weblink : http:// (Trade figures taken from the following weblink : 48.jsp#.U65T97mKC00 ).
@ Bharat R : Fully agree with your cogent analyses. India must stop trading with Pakistan.
I presume this is the recent Track-II with Mani Shankar Aiyar and Salman Khurshid, both losers in the recent elections and both with no influence in the new government.
//You could else dance a Samba for all they care, or a Flamingo if you please.// Eeeks Mr Chaudhry, it is Flamenco, not Flamingo. The latter is a bird. The devil is in the details, as they say.
Elsewhere in the paper: - On 'high alert': Pakistan listed 10th on fragile states index. - Sri Lanka cancels on-arrival visa for Pakistanis.
Pakistan has been listed 10th in the fragile state index, still you think somehow they are able to dictate these sort of terms? Can we please come back to earth?
Were you, by any chance, 'educated' in a maddersah? Your points are absolutely breathtaking, not because of the brilliance of your argument, but because of the stench of your convoluted thinking. Keep on living in Interesting times.
No problem sir,
You can talk about our foreign policy also, generation to come we won't regonise you as a fully soverign nation to us (may be some kind of sovernity like taiwan) almighty bless you and your country
Author’s Comment :- “Fresh from a recent Track II event with India, what abides from the engagement are the four ‘Ts’ that make India’s policy towards Pakistan: Terrorism, Trial, Trade and Transit. “ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That is one undoubtedly one “T” too many. “Terrorism” and” Trial” certainly are fit topics for inclusion on India’s agenda. Regards “Transit”, a bit debateable, as I believe that Pakistan has nothing to offer and discussion of this matter amounts to nothing more than India Track II delegates succumbing to Pakistani propaganda regards Pakistan’s self -imagined “Geo Strategic Location” or being geographically challenged. Now regards Trade, a totally pointless activity for Indian Track II delegates. Trading with Pakistan is just simply too much of a problem and carries with it the risk of a whole host of unwelcome exports being mixed in with legitimate exports. These unwelcome exports from Pakistan into India include narcotics, as in the present case, arms and ammunition, counterfeit Indian currency notes, funding of terrorists under the garb of trade payments and potential for the export of the polio virus via the human contact required for trade. It also carries with it threats to the liberty of Indian citizens owing to malicious behaviour of Pakistani authorities such as that seen in an incident last year where in support of an attempt to smuggle drugs from Pakistan into India, innocent Indian truck drivers having nothing to do with this attempt were detained by Pakistan.
Rather than trade being an item of discussion, it should be forthwith discontinued and simultaneously India should stop all trading with Pakistan.
Dear Mr. Chaudhary, Good that you are involved in Track- II and can talk un-hindered with Indian counterparts. While Track-II can be a more pliable route to forming consensus and policy frame work work for Track -I diplomacy, it should not be rendered as a an acitivity in eternity with no forseeable outcome.
You seem to have given up at Track -II stage itself. Certain questions need to be put and answered without resorting to Passion of Nationalism. One may not afford the same in Track-I.
I have some simple questions based on your four T''s which you can ask yourself and try to open up your horizon of vision.
1) Terrorism : Is India wrong in asking you to act againts Terrrorists on your Eastern Border when you youself are rallying your whole nation to weed out similar menace on Western border by way of Zar- Be- Azb? Why is India Wrong in asking you to act against LeT and others of their ilk, simply because they are not causing you harm in your own backyard.
Does this not sound illogical to you?
2) Trial : Why is India wrong in asking Trial of terrorist , when you seek custody of Mullah `` Fazlullah from Afghanistan? You so much talk of of UN as a Legitimate nternational body when trying to implement UN resolution on Kashmir. ? Why should you turn blind eye to this legitimate body called UN, when it bans some freely roaming and sermonizing individuals in your country .
2) Trade : Why should India not talk Trade , when 5 billion Dollar of trade is happening already through a convoluted route? Would it not serve pupose of both countries if this route is simplified and profitability of such trade incrases on both sides. Will pakistan not benefiting out of more free and accessible Trade with India?
3.) Transit : If India is looking for a a transit route to Central Asia via AFPAK, would it not help get PAK the same acess to East Asia and Indian market in return? Or if Afghanistan is peaceful , would Pakistan not benefit by a trade route to central Asia via Afghanistan?
Things need to be seen dispassionately when you are in Trac-II, because you have little room to manouevre when in Track-I on either side. Let this Track-II have one motto to look for greater good of people in this region rather have any cynical thinking emanating from our rigid official standings.
Re: Air Vice Marshal Shahzad Chaudhry comment : “Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon”. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Afghanistan is not a Lesotho, that is completely landlocked and surrounded by a single country namely South Africa. Afghanistan does share borders with other countries besides Pakistan. India can and does access Afghanistan via these other countries, Iran being foremost among them. Thus Pakistan has no ability to prevent India having access to Afghanistan. Pakistan only has the ability to make it more comfortable for Indian access. Pakistan’s recalcitrance on this count is a hardship that India can indefinitely endure. What that means is Pakistan can disabuse itself of the flawed notion it holds something of great value to India that can be traded.
In sum, The Air Vice marshal’s comment reminds me of a rather plain looking girl in the mohalla who puts on laughable airs having convinced herself that she was Katrina Kaif and all lusted after her.
If Central Asia will be controlled by china it will be good for world peace in general and for Indian sub continent in particular because till Central Asia was under control of Soviet Union , peace prevailed and no sectarian violence was any where in the world but when soviets breaker up every thing is changed . Sofar as china and India are concerned both are civilizational brothers and friends and they have never fought is past and never fight in future except 1962 war and that was a brain child of late J L Nehru who was the champion of pseudo secularism but actually the by product of Islamic civilization who did not know about oriental civilizations ie Hindu and Buddhists civilization but only knew Islamic and Christian civilization .
The strategic affairs proponents in Pakistan continue to live in Dreamland. There is no new thinking and the belief persists that playing the role of spoiler can hold India back. When playing that same role could not do so in the past, why it will succeed in the present or future, defies logic and reason. An alternative gateway to Afghanistan and beyond has already been created, through Iran. That same route can also be used by every other country, crippling the logistics and transport businesses in Pakistan. Obsession about controlling Afghanistan through proxies continues even though the costs and blowback have been terrible. Secondly, Pakistan has little credibility in the global diplomatic community because of its duplicity, saying something and doing otherwise. While the foreign office issues platitudes about Afghans deciding their own fate, those controlling foreign and security policy, continue their games. It seems the misery and violence seen in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not high enough to call for a change in strategy. When moral decadence(use of terrorism) marries intellectual bankruptcy(duplicity), for any country a bleak future is inevitable.
@Hasan: Good point yours viz-a-viz all this "Track2" business ... you ask how do we take this relationship forward? ... well, how about starting a Track3 then...? LOL
Closed self centred mindset, giving own country so much self importance while india sadly doesn't even spare thought if not terrorism. You can live in mirage. For india door to Central Asia has already been opened through chabar port and india's open water routes. Don't need Pakistan for any of it. We have energy resources again by under water deep sea gas pipelines between india-oman-iran. As well as secured energy from major energy producing countries through LNG,gas etc. Indian Ocean with whom we have largest coast line is yet to be tapped by us for under water energy resources. Already invested/ing in hydro,solar,nuclear power apart from above things just mentioned to secure our future energy needs. As far as Afghanistan, india has already connected chabar port with afgan constructing major expressways connecting to it making free flow trade between iran,afgan,oman and india again cancelling Pakistan. So where does pakistan hold key? To be honest india is focused on ASEAN countries connecting india's north east state to ASEAN via land routes,rail and water routes. Creating regional hub not just with ASEAN but surrounding saarc countries like bhutan,nepal,bangladesh boosting trade. Middle East don't even feature that important focus in our list. you can make out that by president first address to nation on behalf on govt no focus/policy over Pakistan or Middle East, just ASEAN,saarc and major global power countries india does trade with. The only problem we have with Pakistan is the radicalism that's happening there do not spill over here,2. Anti india elements have free run there,terrorism and border attacks. That's the prism through which we view pakistan and find solutions as to how we can tackle this country best way poss to subdue this. Rest we are not dependent or concerned in any way as we have bigger markets including our own to focus on.
We have lost Afghanistan long ago only if we will admit it. It is impossible to make Afghanistan our 5th province. Pakistan has played almost all of its cards & it is Afghanistan turn to play their cards. In recent elections Afghans have showed great political maturity. The young generation voted for Ashraf Ghani who has very progressive, regionally & globally supported plan to fix Afghanistan & bring peace. Indian has the money & resources to help & reconstruct Afghan infrastructure like dames, ports, power stations, schools, hospitals. Its $2 billion investment has given dividends what US $60 billion could't. India is most appreciated country in Afghanistan for a reason. Lets admit it we do not have that sort of money & resources to earn our place in Afghanistan. We have been taking credit for hosting Afghan refugees but that were sponsored by UNHCR, WFP & West. It was good source of foreign exchange for us. But we do have money & resources for investment in Afghan Jihad & wars in Afghanistan. We can continue this practice of fear even if Ghani is able to bring Taliban to join Afghan Government & bring peace. We will be able to find many disgruntle groups to continue the fight in Afghanistan albeit with blow backs & consequences for the Federation of Pakistan. So the game is on & it is the leadership with high IQ & intellect in the region who will decide the winner or looser in the region. It will be a good day to be alive to see the day that our military made foreign policy based on fear & wars or the one based on progress & development will win. ET please print there is nothing which is personal or hurting any one.
Shahad: the article is sarcastic, has a negative tone and berates India. Now tell me, what is the solution that you are offering. You may whine on India's policy, tell that its stuck in a groove because of India's stance etc. Tell me, oh! 'Intellectual', how do you propose to take the relationship forward. If people like you are in Track2, this relationship is doomed.
It seems author has not enough time to make his writings simple and to the point. No offense pl.
India offers Pakistan economic integration into a larger Central Asian market as well as its own, but Pakistan balks? Why? To handicap India's geopolitical and economic rise?
In that case, why should India cooperate with Pakistan at all? How does India gain if Pakistan will grant it neither peace nor trade? If this is Pakistan's strategy, Pakistan is heading into a cul-de-sac.
But let us hope the Army's announced intent to do away with all terrorist groups, presumably including the LeT and the Jud, indicates a willingness to make peace in Kashmir and with India.
Pakistan ain’t letting India in on Afghanistan any time soon. It has its interests to secure. ‘Deliverables’ and ‘dividends’ are inalienably linked.''
well said,but who is going to teach wannabe liberals ( definition of liberal for 99% of pakistani liberals is sexual liberty ) and aman ki asha wallas the art of realpolitik?
The otherside of the thinking is this; ok stay isolated and that does not prevent India from prospering. But is it doing PAK any good?
Blackmail policy thinking never helped PAK and it will lead PAK into ruins soon.
PAK woes a lot of Deliverables and dividends to Afghanistan, India and to the rest of the world.
So, in summary the so called Track-II diplomacy or rather paid dinner and drink diplomacy will continue for ever and things on ground will remain as they are.. When is author paying return visit to New Delhi ?
In July of 64 A.D., a great fire ravaged Rome for six days, destroying 70 percent of the city and leaving half its population homeless. According to a well-known expression, Rome’s emperor at the time, the decadent and unpopular Nero, “fiddled while Rome burned.”
Mr Chaudhry, your house is burning down. You are fantasizing you are dictating terms to India. Afghanistan is a sovereign country and it is not the 1990s. Although you don't realize it, your literary gem of a column here is Exhibit A on why Pakistan is here where it is today.