Indo-Pak relations — at what cost?

While there is no denying the fact that better relations between India and Pakistan are in the best interest of both the countries, should these be based on ‘subservience’, acceptance of India’s hegemony and by compromising Pakistan’s national interests, is the question which must agitate the minds of those who are critically following the developments in the last four years.

Either due to lack of understanding of the intricacies of Indo-Pak relations or as a well thought-out agenda, which in President Zardari’s perception is the right course to adopt or he is forced to adopt as per dictates of those who brokered NRO, Pakistan is in the making of a ‘pliant’ state, as envisaged by USA-India Nexus. Few under-mentioned important statements, decisions, actions, or lack of action vis-‡-vis India and their relation with what has been happening within Pakistan would substantiate the assertion.

(1)After assumption of power, in his first important statement on relations with India, President Zardari stated that India never was, is and would be a threat to Pakistan. Then, while talking to the Indian audience, the president promised ‘no first use of nuclear weapons’. While making these statements either the president had no clue of the implications of such statements or these were made as per agenda given by those who are endeavouring to undermine Pakistan’s nuclear capability. He should have known that our nuclear strategy is based on minimum deterrence against conventional threat from India and such statements would put a question mark on our nuclear programme.

(2) Kashmir issue remains a major irritant between Pakistan and India.

Though we should have no doubt that neither wars nor using militancy as an instrument would bring about any solution to the problem, yet the criminal silence of the present government on Kashmir is intriguing. All indicators are they have compromised on the issue.

Recent announcement of bounty on Hafiz Saeed by USA would put further pressure on those who could have questioned Government’s apparent U-turn on Kashmir. Placing Kashmir issue on the back burner has always been desired by the USA and India. Thus, a desire is fulfilled.

(3) In the obtaining environment, space for traditional application of military instrument is gradually shrinking and non-traditional security threats are taking centre stage in which the intelligence agencies are expected to play a major role. In this regard, government’s earlier attempt to place ISI under Ministry of Interior, the offer of sending DG ISI to India after Mumbai attacks and now the undermining of ISI through a very well orchestrated propaganda plan are alarming developments. Nothing would please India and USA more than to see ISI undermined.

(4) No doubt, the Government is within its right to grant MFN status to India. However, taking into consideration the present plight of our own industry, made redundant by power shortages, high tariff and lack of competitive environment, the decision does raise certain suspicions- whether the decision was taken in Pakistan’s interest or as part of a given agenda, especially when there are clear indicators that the government itself is instrumental in destroying the country’s industry. The decision would surely make Pakistan economically dependent on India.

(5) Though the construction of new hydroelectric power projects and dams by India on the rivers feeding Pakistan in violation of Indus Water Basin Treaty and recently proposed construction of link canals to divert water from these rivers, are extremely detrimental to Pakistan’s future, yet the lack of meaningful response to these developments by the government is beyond comprehension. Even our other political leaders, media and the masses in general are showing indifference to this issue which actually should be considered as a matter of life and death for Pakistan. No need to emphasise that control over the water of these rivers would make Pakistan totally dependent on India’s goodwill.

Thus, the recent developments vis-‡-vis India remind of how the British East India Company made ingress into the Mughal Empire by pleasing the kings and the masses remained either ignorant or indifferent to the developments, ultimately became subservient to the British Raj and accepted the change as their destiny. Similarly, Indo-US Nexus has an agenda to convert Pakistan into a ‘pliant state’, President Zardari seems to be obliging and the masses are inclined to accept the fait accompli, as manifested by their indifference to the present happenings.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-101860-Indo-Pak-relations-%20-at-what-cost