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PAKISTAN and China have enjoyed a close and trouble-free relationship for almost 60 years. Their respective strategic interests have been fully aligned. China helped Pakistan moderate the military threat from India. Pakistan helped China keep India at bay.
However, propelled by the tri-polar contest between the US, China and Russia, the correlation of forces in South Asia is in flux. The regional relationships with the major power are again polarised, with India now aligned with the US and Pakistan with China. Yet, today’s equations are more complex than during the Cold War and could evolve in unexpected ways.
In recent months, Pakistan has confronted the consequences of the emerging alliance between the US and India, manifested in US pressure on Pakistan to neutralise the pro-Kashmiri groups and to unilaterally restrain its nuclear and missile programmes, notwithstanding India’s massive arms build-up and sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan.
The US-India alliance is pushing Pakistan into an even greater dependence on China.
While Pakistan’s diplomacy is preoccupied with managing the crisis with the US, other emerging trends could affect Pakistan’s strategic interests and its stable relationship with China.
The US-India alliance is pushing Pakistan into an even greater dependence on China and to promote new cooperation with Russia. Yet, Moscow still is obliged to retain its legacy arms supply relationship with India. And both China and Russia want to hold back India from a full-blown military alliance with the US.
China is progressively recognising that, despite Sino-US interdependencies and its best efforts to avoid friction, the Trump administration is ideologically committed to confronting and containing China, economically, politically and militarily. China wants to diminish the strength of the coalition the US wants to deploy against it. It is building close relations with several neighbours — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar — and even those, like the Philippines, with which it has maritime disputes. The rhetoric against Japan has been softened.
Since the resolution of the Doklam dispute, China has made several notable overtures to New Delhi, including the mention of the anti-India terrorist groups in the BRICS Summit communiqué and, more recently, by lifting its objection to Pakistan’s listing on the FATF’s grey list. Meanwhile, some Chinese commentaries have highlighted the Sino-Indian convergent interests, including their $100 billion trade relationship, substantial Chinese investment in India and similar trade friction with the US.
After veering sharply towards Washington, India may be reflecting on the advisability of a uni-dimensional alliance with Trump’s America. The international media has noted India’s official abstention from the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan ceremonies. It is speculated that India’s new foreign secretary, a former ambassador to China, may have been responsible for this adjustment and may promote a recalibration of India’s China policy. Reportedly, India has not displayed over-enthusiasm for the anti-China military coalition of the US, Japan, Australia, India (the so-called Quad) conceived by Washington. Considerable significance is being accorded to the forthcoming meeting in China between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi.
These developments may have significant implications for Pakistan. In several important dimensions, a closer relationship between China and India may be positive for Pakistan. It could lead to a reduction in India’s threats against Pakistan; an end to India’s attempts to sabotage CPEC and the resumption of a Pakistan-India dialogue.
But, if history is any guide, India will seek the best of all worlds: American weapons and advanced technology and pressure against Pakistan as well as Chinese trade and investment and neutralisation of Beijing’s objections to India’s hegemonic ambitions in South Asia.
Among other things, India is likely to seek: Chinese pressure on Pakistan to act against pro-Kashmiri militant groups and end all support to the ongoing Kashmiri freedom struggle; and restrictions on the supply of advanced Chinese weapons systems and technology to Pakistan.
Pakistan should advance its own five-point positive agenda to intensify and modernise its time-tested relationship with China. While remaining responsive to China’s global and regional interests, Islamabad should urge Beijing, at the highest level, to:
— work actively for a just and peaceful solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and an end to India’s brutal suppression of the Kashmiri people’s freedom movement. Without this, there will be no durable peace or stability in South Asia.
— express publicly its opposition to any use or threat of force against Pakistan and warn that this would evoke an appropriate Chinese response. Such Chinese support has been the fundamental foundation of the Pakistan-China strategic partnership and has been reciprocated by Pakistan’s strong defence of China’s unity and territorial integrity including its maritime claims in the South China Sea.
— affirm that the security of CPEC is the common responsibility of Pakistan and China. This project serves the strategic interests of both countries. India-sponsored terrorism from Afghanistan and elsewhere to sabotage CPEC is as much an attack on Chinese as Pakistani interests. Moreover, any incentive offered to India to join CPEC should be made jointly by Pakistan and China and in no way compromise Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
— provide Pakistan, on concessional terms, weapons systems and defence capabilities required to neutralise the advanced weapons systems and technologies being acquired by India from the US or other sources. If Pakistan capitulates to India’s hegemonic designs, New Delhi’s military capabilities will be increasingly deployed against China rather than, as at present, against Pakistan.
— take conscious measures to promote large Chinese investment in Pakistan including the targeted relocation of manufacturing that is no longer competitive in China.
It is, of course, possible that India’s overtures to China are merely tactical; designed perhaps to enhance its leverage with Washington. But Pakistan should project India’s rebalancing act with Beijing to erode Washington’s romance with India.
The emerging multipolar world offers small and medium-sized states greater room for manoeuvre between the major powers. Pakistan’s diplomacy must gear itself to respond to the challenges and opportunities of a fast-changing, complex world. Unfortunately, our diplomats are hobbled by a political environment of chaos with Pakistani characteristics.
The writer is a former Pakistan ambassador to the UN.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2018
Comments (123) Closed
For a change please suggest how to increase Pak trade with more countries...how to attract investment and technology from other countries... how to reach out to more countries !! This analysis has no practical value Sir ...just wishful thinking !!
The simplest and most beneficial solution in talk.. resolve all dispute with India.. let common sense prevail with Both India and Pakistani.. after that see how the great powers be it China and U S will start RESPECT Pakistan.. rather using Pakistan.. change the focus to cooperation between countries.. among all your border.. lets evolve to greater heights by this way.. this is for most better solution than zero sum game which is never ending and deplete country's wealth
The fundamental problem with this analysis is extremely overblown, exaggerated role for Pakistan in China’s calculus. China is a massive global power with multidimensional relations with many countries. As long the economic gap between India and us keeps widening, China will find us less and less useful.
But the author is right about India making use of the best of all the worlds. We should try to be like them instead of blaming or envying them.
A great analysis by a world class diplomat. The shifting poles on global theater are creating opportunities and challenges for Pakistan. .However, Pakistan has great opportunities to benefit and enhance its strategic interests.
As they say in diplomatic lingo, there are never permanent enemies or friends
Good Notes
China is not expected to jeopardize its strategic interests defending Pakistani national security interests. The latter should not depend on the former during external threats.
You are the problem for Pakistan's progress
The very informative article appears India centric on first reading.
But on deeper analysis it becomes clear that it is full of noble, courageous and brave recommendations.
Kudos to the author.
These interdependencies: military, economic, and to use the coercing force by one to undermine the ascendancy of others will form an intricate mesh, equally snaring all of the powers trying to get primacy. Pakistan, as an independent country with dependent think tanks, must extricate the myopic thinking of today's betterment at the cost of future turmoil by playing in the hands of China and US.
Wisdom after retirement. The prevailing attitude is, who cares.
Grand delusion of an already spent force, not grounded in reality at all. Pakistan is keep dreaming about your strategic location and the imoprtance it accords you while forgetting there are no free lunches. That's probably 100x greater than what India could afford to harm it's enemy to the west
I see only negative tactics here. Anything positive for Pakistan or mother country?
what should be done is different than what can be done
If any country wants to play an important role internationally, it must have a solid economic foundation that it can leverage. Pakistan needs to set its own house in order in this regard. The country should first focus on trade, particularly with neighbours, to achieve the necessary economic strength. Otherwise all talk of playing an important geopolitical role is just wishful thinking.
@CSK correct
Sound and fury.
Pakistan and China sports all weather freindship that is connected to the hearts of the two great nation. This relation is pure and free from all contaminations. China is in the heart of Pakistanis and vice versa. Pakistan & China friendship is ever growing. China is a joint world leader now, ever growing. Pakistan is trying to maintain good relationship with all countries, any dent will further push Pakistan to other friendly countries.
He simple advice should have been awaken common sense. Things will fall at proper place.
Does anybody in government listen to the wisdom of this author ? looks negative... He just expresses his individual views..take it or leave it !!!
Well done for writing such a well rounded article !
Same old thinking and advice. Same excuses for continued folly.
Xi zing chin seems disinterested in the photo.
We need to quit this policy of aligning with any one country. We need multilateral partners from all corners of the world. China is unstable and unpredictable in my opinion.
How can you base your relations with others keeping one country in mind, this is not how business or relationships work in the World. You also can't stop two independent nations from building and harnessing relationships.
very sound advice and sum up of current world positioning. Only glaringly missing point is that..in a give take relationship, the taker doesnt hold any power to force the giver into agreeing to their terms!
From a different perspective, it is the closeness between Pakistan and China and the prospect of having to fight them both in collusion is what drove India in to the arms of the US in the first place.
@Sakthivel india You are right, but I think Pakistan will not see this way. Pakistan has not learnt from the past mistakes and just lost lot by comparing with India. Pakistan idea of friendship with China will be very expensive in future they just lost US friendship and money! China is not US who gave free aid.
Mr. Munir, As a first step, we should get rid of India-focused mindset, which limits our progress in every way. i.e. India trying to sabotage CPEC, so we need China to support us, India trying to get latest technology, so we should do something about it.. ?? Once we grow up and broaden our horizon, maybe we can find more opportunities elsewhere in the world, export our things, increase trade, and be a an expanding and responsible nation..
Chinese investments in CPEC has reached a saturation point. China may shift allegiance soon.
A very good article full of wisdom,advice and cures of present pak india disputes.
It is not possible to keep two masters happy at the same time. While India has been able to in the past have good relations with everyone at the same time, now it is becoming impossible in Trump time. You are either with us or against us slogan by Bush is more relevant now than ever. US wants to roll out the red carpet to India in exchange for Indian help in aggressively containing China. If India is unwilling or incapable of doing this then this equation will change. US has its own interests and those interests trump all other relations.
Try telling Jinping all these conditions.
U were US partner for more than 50 years and also friend of china. That time congress was ruling india and u did everything to sabotage india. Now current indian govt is of Modiji and coming 10 years india will be ruled by Modiji. Today no country in the world underestimates strength of India. India is future superpower and china will no more fight with india for ur benefits.
Like the idea of moving production units/complexes to Pakistan due to falling competitiveness in China. Does Pakistan have the expertise the modern production units require to run efficiently??
@Arif agreed
@CSK I agree with CSK 100 % !
@CSK Simple, be secular and punish fundamentalists.
I believe there is a great feeling of love and affection between our people. But unfortunately it is not allowed to bloom .
Chinese workers thrashed Pak policemen. Kick Chinese out
The Chinese know very well that Pakistan is fully dependant on them. No matter what strong or happy face we show to the outside world, deep down we know the Chinese will have their way with us. Thanks to our incompetent leaders and short sighted foreign policies, we will be forced to sing beautiful songs about CPEC while our hearts cry. As far as India is concerned.... love them or hate them, they did have leaders who put their nation before anything else as a result Pakistan is likely to remain atleast 2 decades behind them.
Wishful thinking.
There's is nothing proposed what Pakistan can do to improve its relations with its neighbours. The main Chinese cities are almost 2000 miles away. Historically, Pakistan has relied on the support of others: Seato and Cento, US and KSA and now Chinese and Saudis. Unless Pakistan improves its trade and exports, China and even Saudis will contiue to support it for ever.
Pakistan has a great diplomatic relationship with China. They are now willing to rebuild fully at cost, Pakistan's railways, not really built since the Brits left India in 1947. Also Pakistanisbare now able to get Chinese interested in improving their agriculture. All this will help modernise agrivtrade through rail and increase Pakistani incomes. Pakistan should push for even more Chinese investments and use it's good relations to allow China to make strategic investments in Pakistan in tourism, in it's bourses etc. All the best.
When equations are complex, the constituting factors and parts need simplified first and foremost in order to handle and manage complexity better. The biggest factor in all this complexity from the Pakistan perspective is most important for any bilateral, trilateral and beyond associations. When it comes to China, there seems to be some degree of encouraging clarity. But vagueness prevails everywhere else. That is mainly due to incompetence of local leadership and timid outlook b/c of their split loyalties inflicted with conflicts of interests. Need of the hour is streamlining these factors in the complex equations first. Unfortunately realities on the ground are not favorable in developing error free solutions promptly. No harm in trying though.
Geographical location alone cannot solve all the problems of a country, education of its people and economic progress is the key for a success. No money, no honey.
How about improving relationship between Pakistan and India. Is it possible for anyone to explore that angle as well?
@CSK Well stated!
@lafanga It is not for joke that US fighter plane production companies have signed deals to open Tornado and F-16 production plants in India - full production line from the US will move to India. This is due to strategic relationship between the two countries. Other countries will also follow US lead. India is a power in Asia and has influence throughout the world and the UN. Therefore, these realities are permanent.
China with support Pakistan in diplomatic front. That’s it.
History tells that not one Chinese soldier died defending Pakistan; nor China will free money to Pakistan
@Ashraf , you are spot on. Pakistan need to focus on overall progress without any dependencies.
The benefits of being ally and friendly with US -India overweighs the friendship with China. China has a deep complex view of the world and they punish the friend who turns rogue.
Pakistan should not drag himself in a trap of another bully. Our foreign policy leaves no options for us. Sad affairs of our country!
@Hamid well said; wishing that voices like yours are heard
India is the 6th largest economy by nominal GDP and within next 12 years we will be the 3rd largest in the world. After removing the invaders and plunderers this land of Dharma is finding its roots once again. Our young and educated middle class under the guidance of our Dharmic roots will be a force in global science and mathematics.
We will do all this and do so peacefully and set an example for the West and China to follow.
@Jameel An excellent analysus by a world class statesman.
Munir Akram has well articulated the conundrum that faces Islamabad and New Delhi vis a viz their changing relationships with Beijing, Washington and Moscow. However, there is a potential game-changer that looms. Should India opt to acquire a US front line fighter (either the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet or Block 70+ F-16) for the FIRST time under a looming selection that fits Modi's Make in India guidelines, then Moscow, also for the first time, will most likely clear the way for the PAF to equip with the Su35 and perhaps the latest (400) version of its anti-aircraft/missile missile. Putin simply needs funds from large military sales to help his flagging economy, and it will simply equate with what is good for the goose is good for the gander. One big military sale such as this could change the whole dynamics that have underpinned New Delhi's relationship with Moscow since the 1950s.
The only message I got from this article is that Pakistan has still not learnt to stand on its feet. Running from one sponsor (USA) to another (China) in sheer panic. Instead of putting its efforts to improve the economy, health, education and infrastructure, Pakistan is still focused on Kashmir and weapons.
@Ashraf
2 decades behind.Have you seen the growth figures for India ? We have experienced higher growth than China for 2 straight years. This is something which will dictate what the future holds for Asia and the world.
A column full of cooked up stories ,accusations without facts lacking diplomacy ,the author in a nutshell has put Pakistan's policy for years in limelight.Also this is the reason why he is an yesteryear diplomat and not today.
It was instructive to see a thirty year old friendship come to this stage with a superpower actively involved in discrediting and fettering Pakistan, after so many decades and giving billions of dollars in dole. Chinese are smarter, we will see the relation unfold within a few years, when China realizes that the establishment goals are not aligned with Chinese goals, Indian markets and starts putting the squeeze. That is when things will really start to unravel - we are perhaps getting to this point very soon.
Fact is that we need to curb our DNA of "world conquer" and pay attention to our people - and whole dependence will go away
Wishful thinking by the Indian side will make no dent in the relationship between China and Pakistan. That the U.S. wants to prepare India to face China in the21st century to take its place is well known. The CPEC is something that does not pass through the throats of these two and they would do anything to stop the progress of it as its completion will change the world scenario for good. It will provide China with an alternative land route for its trade either way and it will also let Pakistan off the US clutches for good. They will be going to any extent by trying to stop that achievement.
As soon as Trump is gone, US will turn around. US want India to fight China on her behalf.
It is not the Indian alliance with USA. Pakistan was foolishly a one way alliance with USA since 1948.!
India does not care and US will not be blackmailed by Pakistan what it does with China.A day is not for China will reject many Pakistan demands when it comes to mend fences with India and West,
@Abdulla Hussain you guys are too emotional.
China will never send a soldier and nor fire a bullet - just to help Pakistan !! China has a great plan ahead for 100 years and the Chinese by nature are not militant or boisterous people. China is a clam, mature, rational and business minded people and it is in India's best interest to cooperate with China and enhance trade.
Pakistan be dumping ground for China, not development of Pakistan. World knows it very well.
This is just fine.
which country has been a long time successful ally of China ? None other than North Korea. .pakistan must watch its relations and dependence carefully.
@Sakthivel india;
There is nothing simple about resolving a territorial dispute.
There is a simple solution to this complex equation - How about not having India-centric policy? How about stopping your obsession with India?
Even Saudis are making heavy investment in India. Have they invested a single penny in Pakistan?
To be honest I would much rather be on the US India side then China Pakistan
Two common threads which binds India and China together is economic development and prosperity of their citizens. Despite friction on various issues, the partnership will get stronger by the year and both, eventually, would define the boundaries to share power in the region. For many good reasons, neither US nor anyone in Europe can dictate to China or India.
@CSK CPEC will ensure attractions of many countries for trade and exports for us. You should know that by now.
Read the news as Pakistan is going to be Chinese colony.
Excellent article. Pakistani officials should take up these points and entrench China-Pakistan relations even further. Infact, Pakistan should use China to get closer to Russia and procure its advanced arms for enhanced military capability.
We just need good honest clean leadership to achieve all the points mentioned and more.
"The US-India alliance is pushing Pakistan into an even greater dependence on China."
What is wrong in Pakistan depending more and more on China? You like it anyway.
Please remember one thing, China will never jeopardise it’s own interests defending Pakistan.
Economic progress is the fundamental thing that Pakistan needs. For that it needs stable and legitimate government.
Let us face the truth here. America does not have an ally in Pakistan. The switch to India was more than predictable. It does not mean that India and the US have the same objectives. Pakistan being, as you say, pushed into a closer relationship with China is quite natural because China has no Religious Axe to grind. The overwhelming majority of Chinese don't have religion, and officially there is none. China is not driven ideologically, where as India and Pakistan are. China sees the situation much more clearly without looking through the prism of religious hatred. There is no possible way Pakistan can be objective. That does not matter to China's territorial and economic objectives because the Chinese are a practical and pragmatic people. To the Chinese mind, other's quarrels are none of their business. The Chinese will do business with Pakistan whether they trust you or not because money is important for living.
US is friend of none, it is only matter of time that US needs India to counter China, like it exploited Pakistan in 1980s to counter USSR in Afghanistan. But probably Indian poly makers are smarter than ours, they will not let go India completely into US circle, the mistake we have done in the past.
@John F Right analysis. Pakistan seems to have learning disability.
First of all China is using Pakistan, India is using USA and India and China is becoming real friend unlike Pakistan is used for a certain time.
I promise you one thing, China will not fire one bullet to protect Pakistan
"Unfortunately, our diplomats are hobbled by a political environment of chaos with Pakistani characteristics."
Very true, all key Pakistani diplomats in US are political appointees and lack diplomatic skills, and are focusing on personal gains rather than nations gains; most of them are over-staying their assigned tenures thanks to their political loyalties!
Time has come to groom and train professional diplomats and restore the efficacy of foreign service!
Usa is now history. China is now worlds financial super power
Excellent analysis. It is critical that we do everything in our power to keep China as our closest partner and not let India cunningly form any alliances on the side with China. We need China's strong support economically and militarily to ensure India does not succeed in its hegemonistic goals.
@Anujrj@yahoo.comdw If China makes any investment in agriculture, then it is to make sure that the Chinese have enough food for home consumption. They have done this in many African countries. Pakistan should be careful regarding the choice of sectors where they can allow foreign investment. Right now of course except the Chinese nobody else is ready to invest, so China can call the shots.
British has approved of partition, mainly to preserve their strategic interests in multi polar world emerging at the end of world war. With the current order, there is no hard and fast rule that two brother countries have to be always on opposite sides. Change in view points will bring about the desired changes.
Blood relationship with India and modern outlook of USA, combined will provide better future for Pakistan than business minded approach of Chinese. Both heart and mind clearly shows one choice.
Why not relax and have a normal relations with neighbors? That will solve all paranoia and the people of Pakistan can focus on their own welfare.
@Arif very correct
First of all India is not a American Ally, a friend , yes, but not an Ally. If we were, we wouldn’t have such close relationship with Iran and Russia. Foreign Affairs is the art of balancing conflicting external interest to maximize your own.
@Irongloves , need money to buy from Russian. Your reserve is in -ve. Already planning to borrow more than 13 Billion next year. Any way dream don't cost any money.
China only need an access to Arabian sea for their trade from their western provinces. For egoistic reasons, Pakistan is willing to not only give land but also repay the cost with interest in the hope of huge imaginary economic benefits. The road will bisect Pskistan in to two creating in the process a de facto Chinese enclave in between.
Pakistan is on a right track for its own self Interest.
What alliance are you talking about? I always thought there's an alliance between US and Pakistan. Uh. Rubbish.
@Sakthivel india you are a good and educated man. we need people like you on both side and all over the world. war is war no one win, why cant we live in peace and the money we spent on was why not on people in needs.
Let's accept LOC as international border, INDIA PAKISTAN dispute will be history then. Show good gesture to the our upcoming generations.
@Hamid Great piece of advice.
@CSK
1. Political stability. Doesn't have to be democracy. The criteria has to be just, sincere, and capable government.
Hi I am a Indian. We never hate Pakistani & it is never taught us to hate anyone. We only hate terrorist. Because they killed people on the name of any thing. The problem is not India nor US. The problem is leader of Pakistan. They are misleading to Pakistan people. and doing there own business and not doing any thing for country. First thing they should not compare with India because India is very big market. Pakistan has very good products, SO they should do the marketing of that product. I am staying in Middle east. I am using spices, rice & towels made in Pakistan. If they start doing business with india they will make profit. unlike compromising with China. See We all know Kashmir is not going to solve in one day. Before 70yrs we all where living in one country. Now we are fighting since last 70yrs for same land. Our country (India & Pakistan) oldest civilization on the earth. So we should not destroy them with fire of bombs & missles............... Better we should make our country(India & Pakistan) prosperous and happiest place in the world.
This is what happens when a country failed to stand up on its own leg. Pakistan was dependented on USA for few decades and now it need another shoulder to cry on. India on other hand needs no one as it had spent its effort in building strong economy.
The Pakistani leadership has pretty much pledged the entire country into the hands of China and doesn’t look like a way out! Feel really sorry for Pakistani people.
Even if there is no India US alliance Pakistan will be close to China because Pakistan needs China for protection and China needs Pakistan to stop India's progress.
The multi polar dimensions of dealing with east and west will fall ultimately upon India and Pakistan. If we look at the history, western interests are often at the center stage in these relationships.
China is no doubt an emerging Asian Dragon and both Pakistan and India should be cautious in playing their cards with China.
I believe, the end game will be loose loose for both the neighbors.
The political instability is another issue in Pakistan to resume the bilateral talks on Kashmir issue. The stubborn Indian leadership ignores that fact too.
Its the high time for politicians in Pakistan to give better future to its citizens
Road to peace & prosperity Just calm down.. have peace in your mind.. think of improving living standard of common people.. then think of ways of improving ties with your neighbors especially with India and best way to do it to vacate the illegally occupied part of Kashmir.. THEN curb all territorial & strategical ambitions.. & focusing energy on upliftment of downtrodden & poor of your country.. ISN'T IT??
@Talha ...Do you see the lines and visa applications in front of the two embassies?
@Zak In today's world economic power is more important than military power.
The outlook reflection of the foreign policy of Pakistan, as outlined by the author, is the hallmark of the foreign policy to which the author has also been party to. The five point resolution-provider is nothing but creating more and more dependency on China than to mend its ties with US or other power centres and develop some sort of equilibrium in the diplomatic relations. Also there is no talk of economic relations with the rest of the world or at least with the countries where it matters, to strengthen ties, but here again the mention is of China only. This mind-set clearly reflects the age-old and obsolete policy of zero-sum game. This obsolete thought process on foreign relations shall lead Pakistan further down the lane where such policies have dragged it to.
@Sakthivel india - resolve Kashmir and see how peace prevails. Kashmiris must be fully satisfied.
There will never be peace and progress in Pakistan unless it forms a complete alliance sharing all defence resources with brotherly countries like Turkey Iran etc.U.S will never allow us to progress.
The relationship between Indians and Pakistanis is like brothers. They can fight but are connected by culture, traditions, religion and history. Continuing to fight is short sightedness and will lead to poverty, human suffering and humiliation to the parties involved. The beneficiaries of the Indo Pak conflict are neither and the losers are both parties (Pakistan more than India) . Indo China and Indo US relationship are purely business and finance but can never become anything more.
@lafanga but the beauty lies in its balancing act that India is best at. small or large. India never sided with anyone. If it were to be true, it would never be able to continue its good relations with Russia. At the same time, it never supported Russia's Afghan war. The author clearly summarizes India's approach to the world
Hats off for your in-depth analysis, your articles are a source of mentoring on foreign policies.
@Arif Very nicely put
Don't go round in circles and complicate things... Just improve the relations with India .Everything else will fall into place, the world will not be able use one against other, and we can feel truly independent and secure and not look out to please the big selfish powers. I wish commonsense was not so uncommon....
@Azharuddin Well said! A new way of viewing international relations.
@A shah And, if it ever did; it will send you the Bill.
So, sir, how can our relations with America can be better
brilliant piece and mind opening analysis,though.
pak have experiment multiple policy in past support afghan against russian invasion for sake of us rivelary some now changed and working according to us animocity strange