Most of the countries
are in competition with one another as they want to accelerate and protect their
economic progression to gain an improved standard of living for their populace.
Similarly, both India and Pakistan are interested in the eradication of poverty
so that living conditions of their peoples get improved significantly. In doing
so, they have to compete with each other in securing an influential position in
the comity of nations.
India has strived hard to reach a
point where business and infrastructure growth is being aligned to propel the
nation to “a position of world power.” And, there is absolutely no doubt that
with a true visionary leader like Modi, India is all set to be heading towards the
right direction.
Furthermore, nationalistic spirit is
at all time high in India, people are getting wealthier, and businesses keep on
booming throughout the country. That’s why, the whole world wants to do
business with India, because the market is highly lucrative there.
Both President Obama
and P.M. Modi have jointly demonstrated a “political will” to significantly
elevate the U.S.-India relationship.
Indeed, the 2015 January 25
Joint Statement builds
on the September 30
Joint Statement of 2014 which
presents an exhaustive and comprehensive vision for mutual future cooperation
and collaboration between the two economic powers. India is likely to enjoy the
U.S. assistance ranging from high tech & space to defence, climate change,
and energy.
Nevertheless,
with the U.S. tilt towards the arch rival India, the Pak-U.S. mindset of
understanding seems to be somewhat fading away. Obviously, there are no more
fake smiles. Most probably, Islamabad is in a “wake up mode” after having been
frustrated due to the U.S. foreign policy of favouring India's bid for
permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Apparently, Pakistan
has been denied what India is getting in the form of specific exemption to join
the Nuclear Supply Group. This would allow India to import American civil
nuclear technology.
According to media
sources, Islamabad has warned that the US policy would compound the already “fragile”
strategic stability atmosphere, and there could be detrimental impact on the
peace in South Asia.
What is it
that has convinced the U.S. to go ahead with preferential treatment favouring
India and ignoring its long term ally Pakistan?
Reasons are following among others:
(A) The country’s “image building”
matters a lot. And, India has succeeded in uplifting/projecting its image
through its foreign service and its people working in the West. While, Pakistan
usually falls short of sending smarter personnel and ambassadors abroad who
could diligently handle matters to promote national cause.
(B) Indian media has always been very
active in portraying Pakistan as terrorist state. Now with the help of some
elements in Pakistani media, their job is getting easier.
(C) Also, Pakistan
doesn’t even have a foreign minister yet - so what can you expect from the
paralysed government other than embarrassment? In Pakistan, almost eighty
percent of people are illiterate who have no clue whatsoever of national interests, however, everyone
is bickering about the unsatisfied personal
interests.
Thought
provoking:
When President Obama was in
India, Pak army Chief General Raheel Sharif dashed to China which described its
friendship with Islamabad as irreplaceable in a changing geo-strategic
environment in south Asia.
Pakistani leadership is
in shock as the U.S.-Pak traditional alliance is set to face gradual erosion
ahead. For much of its history, Pakistan has been an ally of the U.S., while
Russia had stronger ties with India, even backing it during that country’s 1971
war with Pakistan.
It’s very frustrating
that most of the Nato troops have left next-door
Afghanistan – and the Pakistani army is straining to overcome Islamist militants on its
western border – the
concerned officials fear some unpleasant surprises may erupt as the United States
of America’s regional interest is tilting toward India, Pakistan’s eastern
neighbour and arch-rival.
Analysts are
of the opinion that Pakistan's strategic partnership with the U.S. is aimed at short
term gains to fight off the ongoing
militancy in the region. Therefore, Pakistan is skeptical about its alliance
with the U.S. in so called war on terror. That is why, Islamabad is fast
expanding its economic and geo-strategic partnership with China. Pakistan believes
China as its time tested friend.
Lesson
for Pakistan:
The people of Pakistan must be
educated enough to elect a visionary leader and the right kind of government
next time to eliminate the stinky status quo.
Pakistan needs a commercially
oriented foreign policy on urgent basis.
All Ambassadors and their
subordinate staff should have high negotiating skills so that they are able to
sell Pakistan’s point of view while serving abroad.
Mineral and natural
resources/reserves rich Pakistan is in need of regaining its lost self esteem; it needs to stop its
addiction of being a donation receiving country.
Pakistanis must realise that no
one is capable of solving their problems other than themselves.
The fact is a nuclear Pakistan is
unacceptable to many who will do everything to neutralize it.
Despite Pakistan
faces an excessive amount of terrorism, it is managing to have an annual growth
rate in the neighbourhood of 4.5 percent significantly more than many European
States. Pakistan has been surviving against the odds including anti Pakistan proxy
war, hence is not a failed state. Actually, the term “failed state” only
applies to countries like Greece, Spain and others that have received hundreds
of billions of US dollars as rescue packages, yet no growth.
Most importantly, Pakistan
leadership needs to understand that for attracting foreign investment along with
enhanced trade, the ongoing state of political instability and militancy has to
end, sooner the better.
Pakistani business elite
including political leaders must show their sincerity to the nation by bringing
back their capital from abroad to give an economic facelift to their own
country. Indeed, it would be helping Pakistan to stay competitive
internationally.
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