New Delhi, Delhi, India

As I start writing this lyric essay,. The sounds of silence, they are at play,  . Their mournful theme of grief and dismay,. This eerie stillness, day after day.  . Was there a sadder month of May,. In all our lives, until this day?. Many so dear were snatched away,. May they Rest In Peace, I can only pray.  . Covid  started in next-door Cathay,. But soon it stifled our dear Bombay,. It also reached  places like Monterey,. London, Paris, and even Marseilles.  . Its powers to kill in deadly display,  . Many a folk were its hapless prey. The pandemic left us in such disarray.  . From here to distant San Jose.  . We fought it out, things seemed okay,. But a second wave was underway,. And death-clouds came, the skies turned grey,. The tragedy played out in full replay.  . Such massive havoc did this new wave play,. Into our homes as it forced its way.  . It affected countless, so many did it slay.  . Our helplessness became another cliche.  .  . How in Covid's favour did the balance sway?    . The risk of infection, did people not weigh?. It would have been wiser for them to stay. Inside their homes, keeping the virus at bay.  .  . They were careful, no doubt and used a sanitiser spray,. But in unguarded moments did some carrier convey. This terrible virus, then things went astray?. The end was so tragic, one can only portray.  . Black marketers thrived and made much hay,. Their love of lucre had led them astray. Supplies ran out, this they would say  . And through our noses they made us pay.  .  . As I look around and the scene survey,  . I do see people who caused delay,. The humane touch they didn't display,. And sadly, our trust they did betray.  . Thus, Covid showed this moral decay,  . Some we did trust had feet of clay. Their commitment was lacking in the fray,. The voice of their conscience, they didn't obey,.  . A third wave may now be on its way,. For Covid refuses to go away. A battle looms, please do not stray,. Bring out your weapons in full array. . When we can  hold the pandemic at bay,. Then once again we'll throng the cafe. We'll go to the cinema, or see a ballet,. Enjoying a Merlot or Cabernet. #Poem #Covid19 #CoronavirusVaccine .

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I start writing this lyric essay,The sounds of silence, they are at play, &nbsp;Their mournful theme of grief and dismay,This eerie stillness, day after day.&nbsp;Was there a sadder month of May,In all our lives, until this day?Many so dear were snatched away,May they Rest In Peace, I can only pray.&nbsp;Covid &nbsp;started in next-door Cathay,But soon it stifled our dear Bombay,It also reached &nbsp;places like Monterey,London, Paris, and even Marseilles.&nbsp;Its powers to kill in deadly display, &nbsp;Many a folk were its hapless prey.The pandemic left us in such disarray. &nbsp;From here to distant San Jose.&nbsp;We fought it out, things seemed okay,But a second wave was underway,And death-clouds came, the skies turned grey,The tragedy played out in full replay.&nbsp;Such massive havoc did this new wave play,Into our homes as it forced its way. &nbsp;It affected countless, so many did it slay. &nbsp;Our helplessness became another cliche. &nbsp;&nbsp;How in Covid's favour did the balance sway? &nbsp; &nbsp;The risk of infection, did people not weigh?It would have been wiser for them to stayInside their homes, keeping the virus at bay. &nbsp;&nbsp;They were careful, no doubt and used a sanitiser spray,But in unguarded moments did some carrier conveyThis terrible virus, then things went astray?The end was so tragic, one can only portray.&nbsp;Black marketers thrived and made much hay,Their love of lucre had led them astray.Supplies ran out, this they would say &nbsp;And through our noses they made us pay. &nbsp;&nbsp;As I look around and the scene survey, &nbsp;I do see people who caused delay,The humane touch they didn't display,And sadly, our trust they did betray.&nbsp;Thus, Covid showed this moral decay, &nbsp;Some we did trust had feet of clay.Their commitment was lacking in the fray,The voice of their conscience, they didn't obey,&nbsp;A third wave may now be on its way,For Covid refuses to go away.A battle looms, please do not stray,Bring out your weapons in full array. &nbsp;When we can &nbsp;hold the pandemic at bay,Then once again we'll throng the cafe.We'll go to the cinema, or see a ballet,Enjoying a Merlot or Cabernet.<a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#Poem\\\" data-user-id=\\\"E0yXQKWAM2MD\\\" href=\\\"/topic/poem\\\">#Poem</a> #Covid19 <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#CoronavirusVaccine\\\" data-user-id=\\\"sfYuMF9t8OkR\\\" href=\\\"/topic/coronavirusvaccine\\\">#CoronavirusVaccine</a>&nbsp;\",\"time\":1621945515251,\"strCount\":2068,\"isLegacyPost\":false}

Prabhu Dayal

The%20Sounds%20of%20Silence

Poem

CoronavirusVaccine

Yesterday morning, I received the heartbreaking message that one of my closest childhood friends had been snatched away by Covid-19. Last week, it was a retired colleague who was staying one floor above me in my apartment complex. The week before it was another dear friend with whom I had played a round of golf  just a month earlier. My Facebook page is also becoming an obituary column these days. Also Read | What if you get doses of 2 different COVID vaccines? A study finds out. What is going on?  Have the Chinese unleashed biological warfare on us, as some experts are saying? Or are we simply inept, incompetent and incapable of  handling the situation created by the pandemic?. There are hundreds of opinions in the market. As regards the black market, it is simply thriving and making hay while the Covid- sun shines, conquering ever-newer horizons--antivirals, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators and even oxygen itself, which we always took for granted!. A few months back, most people had not heard of Remdesivir, but now they are exchanging WhatsApp messages on where it can be procured if the need arises. Everyone is battle ready, so to say, but survival of the fittest can be a misleading axiom. Burning calories and developing six-packs may not save you. You will not know when, where and from whom you can get infected. Also Read | 'Tera mujhse hai...': Son sings for dying mom; doctor's post a tear-jerker. Survival of the cautious is the new 'mantra'. Lock yourselves indoors to keep the virus out of your lives; isolate yourself from the herd till there is herd immunity( another expression now getting embedded in our current daily lexicon). However, this is easier said than done. Apart from mundane needs such as groceries, there is the problem of 'ennui'. Staying indoors for days on end can be so boring! A near septuagenarian like me can read, watch TV , exchange WhatsApp messages--but is that all?. No, there is a wonderful game played with a pack of cards which is called bridge which brings great cheer to me and many others in these Covid-stricken times like nothing else. Warren Buffet had famously said  "Bridge is such a sensational game that I wouldn't mind being in jail if I had three cellmates who were decent players.". For the uninitiated, let me say that Bridge is the best intellectual exercise which doubles up as an engrossing game. You face new situations every ten minutes, and make decisions based on what you think is rational. You weigh gain versus loss, doing calculations all the time while playing the hand you are dealt. The strategy involves deducing all the information you are provided by your hand and then keeping on adding to that base of information as things develop; you modify your  approach as you get new information as the hand is played out. Also Read | In vaccine mix-up, Maharashtra man given two doses of different COVID jabs. Like bridge, chess is also regarded as an intellectual game. Comparisons are sometimes unfair, but let me recall that in 1996-97, there were two six-game matches between Gary Kasparov, the reigning world champion and Deep Blue, an IBM supercomputer. Kasparov won the first match but Deep Blue won the next. Deep Blue's win was seen as a sign that artificial intelligence was catching up on human intelligence and could defeat one of the great intellectual champions of the human race. However, artificial intelligence has not been able to completely master the game of bridge, and human capability reigns supreme in this sport which has been described as a game that combines strategy, communication, creative deception, and of course, devilish tactics. In these Covid-dominated times, how does one get the three other players needed for a bridge foursome? As they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed. My laptop provides the solution, for there are sites where you can register and play online bridge. I play on a popular site called 'Bridge Base Online', or simply BBO. I cannot describe in mere words how it has converted what would have been hours of boredom into fun-filled hours of enjoyment. Also Read | ‘Corona is vaccinated’: Meme fest on Twitter after Rajinikanth takes jab. Of all the sporting bodies in India, one keeps hearing of the Board of Cricket Control (BCCI), but it has also been taken out of the action by Covid; the much-hyped IPL has been postponed indefinitely as BCCI looks on helplessly. In this grim scenario, a retired IAS officer Suresh Sundereshan, President of the Bridge Federation of India(BFI) has stepped in like a knight in shining armour, challenging the might of Covid and providing an amazing entertainment platform. Through his initiative, the Bridge Associations of various states have created several daily tournaments where people like me can play for as many hours as we want, competing for master-points and thoroughly enjoying ourselves without having to leave the safety of our homes. Also Read | No vampiric fangs, only COVID jabs at Romania's Dracula castle. In his message to bridge lovers, Sundarshan said: "The Second wave of COVID-19 has witnessed severe damage to human life and its activities with its reeling negative effect for the past few months. Our fellow bridge players have been patiently waiting for this pandemic to ease out and only online bridge has been a soothing medicine to most of them." Moving beyond this, he also says: "In extreme cases for those suffering from COVID-19 infection, BFI under the current stressed environment will endeavor to seek financial assistance from its well wishers towards meeting their medical needs so far as possible.". Thus, the BFI has taken on two enemies at the same time-Covid and boredom. People like me can stay inside the safety of their homes and still enjoy themselves to the hilt. Sundareshan and his BFI team are Covid-warriors of a different kind, coming to our aid in these dismal times. Also Read | India has to work with other nations to ramp up vaccine production: Dr Fauci. I would like to end with another quotation from Warren Buffet: "If I'm playing bridge and a naked woman walks by, I don't even see her." Well, I do bring a great deal of concentration when I play, but can we lesser mortals ever aspire to be a Warren Buffet?. Your guess is as good as mine!. #covid19 #Coronavirus #Games #Pandemic .

<ul><li>Bridge is the best intellectual exercise which doubles up as an engrossing game</li><li>You face new situations every ten minutes, and make decisions based on what you think is rational</li><li>You weigh gain versus loss, doing calculations all the time while playing the hand you are dealt</li></ul>

My%20bridge%20over%20troubled%20waters

covid19

Pandemic

Coronavirus

Games

In 1999, Thomas Friedman, the renowned columnist and author wrote that the world had gone from a system built around walls to a system increasingly built around networks. This has been the rationale behind the emergence of numerous regional groupings such as the European Economic Community, ASEAN, the African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Union of South American Nations, Mercosur and a host of other regional organisations. . The need for regional cooperation was felt in South Asia too, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC was established in December 1985 with the objective of working together to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia. However, SAARC failed to promote regional cooperation; there were many factors for this, but foremost among them was Pakistan's unending hostility toward India. . In this background, India looked for another regional organisation to act as the vehicle for regional cooperation. The creation of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) offered a way out. This sub-regional organisation came into being through the Bangkok Declaration of 1997. Initially, it had four Member States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) which became renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ in 1997, following the inclusion of Myanmar. In 2004, With the admission of Nepal and Bhutan, the name was changed to ‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation’ (BIMSTEC). Also Read: Some positive signs in India-Pakistan relations?. However, a moot point is whether BIMSTEC is heading anywhere, or is it belying the hopes and expectations from it?  . There are several factors which impart BIMSTEC a great deal of significance for India. Firstly, it is a forum for India to meaningfully engage with its South Asian neighbors, especially as SAARC has become practically non-functional. Secondly, it facilitates two important objectives of our foreign policy: Neighborhood First (according to primacy to the country’s immediate neighbourhood) and Act East (connecting India with Southeast Asia). Thirdly, BIMSTEC can help in the economic development of India’s North Eastern states by linking them to the Bay of Bengal region via Bangladesh and Myanmar. Fourthly, India hopes that it could help in countering China’s increasing influence through its Belt and Road Initiative in countries around the Bay of Bengal.    . The importance which India attaches to BIMSTEC was recently emphasised by the External Affairs Minister. Speaking at the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Thursday 1st April, he said that India remains committed to further building the momentum of regional cooperation under the framework of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and making it a stronger, vibrant and result-oriented grouping. He also said that BIMSTEC enjoys the unique strength of connecting South and South-East Asia.  . Robust connectivity is an essential prerequisite for economic integration of the region with smooth cross-border movement of people and goods, and the Member States have finalized the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity which is expected to be adopted at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Colombo.  BIMSTEC also needs to finalise the BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Motor Vehicles Agreement at an early date. Another priority area is and will continue to be Counter terrorism and trans-national crimes. Cooperation in the security sector has a special significance. As Jaishankar said "Our NSAs have met thrice since 2017. They have been working closely and have moved forward in several aspects of security cooperation including counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, coastal security, cybersecurity, etc in a tangible manner.". Also Read: Pakistan's U-turn on imports from India: Cutting its nose to spite its face!. However, one should not overlook the shortcomings of this regional organisation. Although more than 23 years have elapsed since BIMSTEC was set up, its member countries have not been able to set up a Free Trade Area. Moreover, BIMSTEC as an organisation has not picked up the desired momentum. Its Summits are supposed to be held every two years and ministerial meetings every year, but only four summits have taken place in 23 years until now. These were the Summits on 31 July 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand; 13 November 2008 in New Delhi, India; 4 March 2014 at Naypyidaw, Myanmar; and 30–31 August 2018 at Kathmandu, Nepal. The 5th Summit is scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The low frequency of the summits is itself a pointer to the inadequate attention being given to this organisation by the member states. . There are also bilateral political problems between the member countries which impact BIMSTEC. The issue of over a million Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in camps in Bangladesh is a constant irritant in the relations between these two countries. The military coup on February1 this year also adversely impacted Myanmar's relations with other countries. As Myanmar’s military continued its crackdown on civilians protesting against the coup, India condemned any use of violence and said that it stood for the restoration of democracy in the country. Although Thailand has close military ties with Myanmar, it has also slightly hardened its language on its western neighbour by saying that it is “gravely concerned” about escalating bloodshed since the coup. Also Read: Pakistan fails to keep India out of Afghan peace process. The highly proactive role being played by China in most BIMSTEC countries is also impeding the growth of this regional organisation. China wants that connectivity should be based on its Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) and has been constantly trying to wean away the countries which draw closer to India, which is not a part of BRI. Franky, one should not expect any change in China's attitude towards BIMSTEC. Another factor is that the range of issues taken up by  BIMSTEC is perhaps too wide. It covers 14 areas of cooperation: Trade and Investment, Technology, Energy, Transportation and Communication,  Tourism,  Fisheries,  Agriculture,  Cultural Cooperation, Environment and Disaster Management, Public Health, People-to-People Contacts, Poverty Alleviation, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crimes, and Climate Change. It is felt by some analysts that at this stage, BIMSTEC should focus on only some areas; it should develop regional cooperation in those select areas before embarking on others.   . As the rampant spread of Covid-19 has shown, Public Health needs to be a priority area of cooperation in BIMSTEC. India can play a leadership role in this area. It has gifted COVID vaccines to five of the member countries--Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar,Nepal and Sri Lanka. Thailand took the Sinovac vaccines from China but found them to be not as effective as had been thought. It is using AstraZeneca vaccines made in Europe, but since the Serum Institute of India has been contracted by this company to produce a billion doses, it should not come as a surprise if Indian-made vaccines might soon be used in Thailand also. As the old saying goes, health is wealth, and the BIMSTEC region must stay healthy if it wants to grow more wealthy!. #India #SriLanka #Nepal #Myanmar #Thailand #Bangladesh .

<ul><li>The creation of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) came into being through the&nbsp;Bangkok Declaration of&nbsp;1997</li><li>&nbsp;Initially, it had four Member States with the acronym&nbsp;‘BIST-EC’&nbsp;(Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation)&nbsp;</li><li>It&nbsp;became renamed&nbsp;‘BIMST-EC’&nbsp;in 1997, following the inclusion of Myanmar, and in 2004,&nbsp;with the admission of Nepal and Bhutan, the name was changed to (BIMSTEC)</li></ul>

Is%20BIMSTEC%20heading%20anywhere%3F

India

SriLanka

Nepal

Myanmar

Thailand

Bangladesh

On Wednesday 31st March, Pakistan's Finance Minister Hammad Azhar had announced that Pakistan would allow limited imports of cotton, sugar and wheat from India in order to rein in rampant inflation. Within 24 hours, the Pakistan government made a U-turn on this decision. It is significant that the Finance Minister had stated that the decision to allow the imports was made 'in the interest of the people'. Logically, therefore, the decision not to allow these imports will be harmful to the people's interests!. Explaining the Pakistan government's decision, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told reporters the decision had been "deferred" until India restored Kashmir's special status. Well known as an India-baiter, his words remind me of an anecdote. Also Read | Pakistan fails to keep India out of Afghan peace process. Once there was an essay contest for students from different countries. The topic for the essay was the elephant, and the students were asked to write on any aspect that they chose. The British student wrote on ‘The elephant and the British Empire’; the American student wrote on ‘The elephant as a business proposition’; the Indian wrote on ‘The elephant as an endangered species’; while the French wrote on ‘The love life of the elephant’. What did the Pakistani student write on? He wrote on ‘The elephant and the Kashmir problem’. Anyone who has followed Indo-Pak relations is bound to be skeptical about the future. Without doubt, the single biggest factor that has bedeviled the relationship, and which continues to do so is Pakistan's obsession with Kashmir. Pakistan genuinely believes that it can snatch away Kashmir from India. Also Read | Some positive signs in India-Pakistan relations?. This obsession with Kashmir also imparts a negativism in Pakistan’s approach to all matters relating to India. During my diplomatic career, I had many opportunities to participate in meetings with Pakistani delegations and I could not help notice how their negativism was harming their own people. It is this negativism which has made the Pakistan government make a U-turn in regard to their decision to import sugar, wheat and cotton from India. For example, , sugar imported from India would be 20% cheaper than from any other source, and the common man in Pakistan, already crushed by high inflation would have been a gainer. Again, the textile industry is clamouring for cotton imports from India as it is functioning below capacity due to a shortage of this vital raw material. Also Read| Will Pakistanis ever stand up to their army's oppression?. Without doubt, Pakistan has decided to overlook the interests of its people; its negative approach will not hurt Indians as much as it will hurt its own citizens. I recall some interesting snippets from my posting in Karachi in the early 1980's. Pakistan had banned Indian items barring a few which were needed by its industries. However, because of their competitiveness, Indian goods still found their way into Pakistan. Smugglers were very active along the border and many Indian items reached the Pakistanis through them. Interestingly, Indian made whiskey was also among the items that got smuggled in, and brands like Haywards and Black Knight were available at a high premium in Karachi. I often had Indian whiskey at the homes of Pakistanis!. Also Read | When a Pakistan military officer confessed his hopes for avenging Bangladesh. Again, many Indian products used to be imported by Pakistani importers through Dubai or Singapore, but with the manufacturers’ labels changed and ‘Made in India’ tags removed! They had found a way to overcome the obstacles. Then, there was a third method by which some Indian goods used to find their way into the Pakistani market. Pakistan had given transit facilities for Indian exports to Afghanistan; Pakistani businessmen in tandem with Afghan importers made sure that many items exported from India to Afghanistan never went beyond Peshawar!  Truck tyres were one such item. I was often surprised that Afghanistan was importing such a large quantity of tyres till I understood what was really happening. The tyres were not entering Afghanistan at all but were being unloaded in Peshawar itself. Pakistani vehicles were merrily running all around the country on Indian tyres!. Also Read| Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India. The simple fact was that the smuggling of Indian goods deprived the Pakistani state of revenue. Again, importing them through third countries instead of direct imports from India only increased their costs for consumers. However, this is not something that Pakistani authorities were bothered about when I was posted in Karachi in the early 1980's. Nor are they bothered about the shortage of cotton for their textile industry or the crushing effects of rampant inflation on the common man. It is tragic that Pakistan is unable to give up its habit of cutting its nose to spite its face. (Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are personal. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Opoyi.). #IndiaPakistanTies #ImranKhan #Diplomacy #Pakistan #India .

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0much%20as%20it%20will%20hurt%20its%20own%20citizens.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":586,\"data\":{\"text\":\"I%20recall%20some%20interesting%20snippets%20from%20my%20posting%20in%20Karachi%20in%20the%20early%201980%27s.%20Pakistan%20had%20banned%20Indian%20items%20barring%20a%20few%20which%20were%20needed%20by%20its%20industries.%20However%2C%20because%20of%20their%20competitiveness%2C%20Indian%20goods%20still%20found%20their%20way%20into%20Pakistan.%20Smugglers%20were%20very%20active%20along%20the%20border%20and%20many%20Indian%20items%20reached%20the%20Pakistanis%20through%20them.%20Interestingly%2C%20Indian%20made%20whiskey%20was%20also%20among%20the%20items%20that%20got%20smuggled%20in%2C%20and%20brands%20like%20Haywards%20and%20Black%20Knight%20were%20available%20at%20a%20high%20premium%20in%20Karachi.%20I%20often%20had%20Indian%20whiskey%20at%20the%20homes%20of%20Pakistanis%21\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":88,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also%20Read%20%7C%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/pakistans-unending-wish-to-do-a-bangladesh-to-india%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%20When%20a%20Pakistan%20military%20officer%20confessed%20his%20hopes%20for%20avenging%20Bangladesh%3C/strong%3E%3C/a%3E\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":223,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Again%2C%20many%20Indian%20products%20used%20to%20be%20imported%20by%20Pakistani%20importers%20through%20Dubai%20or%20Singapore%2C%20but%20with%20the%20manufacturers%u2019%20labels%20changed%20and%20%u2018Made%20in%20India%u2019%20tags%20removed%21%20They%20had%20found%20a%20way%20to%20overcome%20the%20obstacles.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":656,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Then%2C%20there%20was%20a%20third%20method%20by%20which%20some%20Indian%20goods%20used%20to%20find%20their%20way%20into%20the%20Pakistani%20market.%20Pakistan%20had%20given%20transit%20facilities%20for%20Indian%20exports%20to%20Afghanistan%3B%20Pakistani%20businessmen%20in%20tandem%20with%20Afghan%20importers%20made%20sure%20that%20many%20items%20exported%20from%20India%20to%20Afghanistan%20never%20went%20beyond%20Peshawar%21%26nbsp%3B%20Truck%20tyres%20were%20one%20such%20item.%20I%20was%20often%20surprised%20that%20Afghanistan%20was%20importing%20such%20a%20large%20quantity%20of%20tyres%20till%20I%20understood%20what%20was%20really%20happening.%20The%20tyres%20were%20not%20entering%20Afghanistan%20at%20all%20but%20were%20being%20unloaded%20in%20Peshawar%20itself.%20Pakistani%20vehicles%20were%20merrily%20running%20all%20around%20the%20country%20on%20Indian%20tyres%21\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":57,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also%20Read%7C%20%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/finally-pakistanis-to-get-vaccinated-by-india%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinally%2C%20Pakistanis%20to%20get%20vaccinated%20by%20India%3C/strong%3E%3C/a%3E\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":490,\"data\":{\"text\":\"The%20simple%20fact%20was%20that%20the%20smuggling%20of%20Indian%20goods%20deprived%20the%20Pakistani%20state%20of%20revenue.%20Again%2C%20importing%20them%20through%20third%20countries%20instead%20of%20direct%20imports%20from%20India%20only%20increased%20their%20costs%20for%20consumers.%20However%2C%20this%20is%20not%20something%20that%20Pakistani%20authorities%20were%20bothered%20about%20when%20I%20was%20posted%20in%20Karachi%20in%20the%20early%201980%27s.%20Nor%20are%20they%20bothered%20about%20the%20shortage%20of%20cotton%20for%20their%20textile%20industry%20or%20the%20crushing%20effects%20of%20rampant%20inflation%20on%20the%20common%20man.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":96,\"data\":{\"text\":\"It%20is%20tragic%20that%20Pakistan%20is%20unable%20to%20give%20up%20its%20habit%20of%20cutting%20its%20nose%20to%20spite%20its%20face.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":115,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Ci%3E%28Disclaimer%3A%20The%20views%20expressed%20in%20this%20article%20are%20personal.%20They%20do%20not%20reflect%20the%20opinions%20or%20views%20of%20Opoyi.%29%3C/i%3E\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":58,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23IndiaPakistanTies%22%20data-user-id%3D%22a5Sxa7KNymiK%22%20href%3D%22/topic/indiapakistanties%22%3E%23IndiaPakistanTies%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23ImranKhan%22%20data-user-id%3D%22tbL4Yp2U2lPN%22%20href%3D%22/topic/imrankhan%22%3E%23ImranKhan%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Diplomacy%22%20data-user-id%3D%22G8IwDUiIFaNN%22%20href%3D%22/topic/diplomacy%22%3E%23Diplomacy%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Pakistan%22%20data-user-id%3D%22wizuXkuQ3rL8%22%20href%3D%22/topic/pakistan%22%3E%23Pakistan%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23India%22%20data-user-id%3D%22Bq4MmUPrXF8p%22%20href%3D%22/topic/india%22%3E%23India%3C/a%3E%26nbsp%3B\"}}],\"rawState\":\"On Wednesday 31st March, Pakistan's Finance Minister Hammad Azhar had announced that Pakistan would allow limited imports of cotton, sugar and wheat from India in order to rein in rampant inflation. Within 24 hours, the Pakistan government made a U-turn on this decision.It is significant that the Finance Minister had stated that the decision to allow the imports was made 'in the interest of the people'. Logically, therefore, the decision not to allow these imports will be harmful to the people's interests!Explaining the Pakistan government's decision, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told reporters the decision had been \\\"deferred\\\" until India restored Kashmir's special status. Well known as an India-baiter, his words remind me of an anecdote.Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/pakistan-fails-to-keep-india-out-of-afghan-peace-process-449294/\\\">Pakistan fails to keep India out of Afghan peace process</a>Once there was an essay contest for students from different countries. The topic for the essay was the elephant, and the students were asked to write on any aspect that they chose. The British student wrote on ‘The elephant and the British Empire’; the American student wrote on ‘The elephant as a business proposition’; the Indian wrote on ‘The elephant as an endangered species’; while the French wrote on ‘The love life of the elephant’. What did the Pakistani student write on? He wrote on ‘The elephant and the Kashmir problem’.Anyone who has followed Indo-Pak relations is bound to be skeptical about the future. Without doubt, the single biggest factor that has bedeviled the relationship, and which continues to do so is Pakistan's obsession with Kashmir. Pakistan genuinely believes that it can snatch away Kashmir from India.Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/some-positive-signs-in-india-pakistan-relations-641078/\\\">Some positive signs in India-Pakistan relations?</a>This obsession with Kashmir also imparts a negativism in Pakistan’s approach to all matters relating to India. During my diplomatic career, I had many opportunities to participate in meetings with Pakistani delegations and I could not help notice how their negativism was harming their&nbsp;own people.It is this negativism which has made the Pakistan government make a U-turn in regard to their decision to import sugar, wheat and cotton from India. For example, , sugar imported from India would be 20% cheaper than from any other source, and the common man in Pakistan, already crushed by high inflation would have been a gainer. Again, the textile industry is clamouring for cotton imports from India as it is functioning below capacity due to a shortage of this vital raw material.Also Read| <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/will-pakistanis-ever-stand-up-to-their-armys-oppression-211252/\\\">Will Pakistanis ever stand up to their army's oppression?</a>Without doubt, Pakistan has decided to overlook the interests of its people; its negative approach will not hurt Indians as much as it will hurt its own citizens.I recall some interesting snippets from my posting in Karachi in the early 1980's. Pakistan had banned Indian items barring a few which were needed by its industries. However, because of their competitiveness, Indian goods still found their way into Pakistan. Smugglers were very active along the border and many Indian items reached the Pakistanis through them. Interestingly, Indian made whiskey was also among the items that got smuggled in, and brands like Haywards and Black Knight were available at a high premium in Karachi. I often had Indian whiskey at the homes of Pakistanis!Also Read |<a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/pakistans-unending-wish-to-do-a-bangladesh-to-india-251961/\\\"> When a Pakistan military officer confessed his hopes for avenging Bangladesh</a>Again, many Indian products used to be imported by Pakistani importers through Dubai or Singapore, but with the manufacturers’ labels changed and ‘Made in India’ tags removed! They had found a way to overcome the obstacles.Then, there was a third method by which some Indian goods used to find their way into the Pakistani market. Pakistan had given transit facilities for Indian exports to Afghanistan; Pakistani businessmen in tandem with Afghan importers made sure that many items exported from India to Afghanistan never went beyond Peshawar!&nbsp; Truck tyres were one such item. I was often surprised that Afghanistan was importing such a large quantity of tyres till I understood what was really happening. The tyres were not entering Afghanistan at all but were being unloaded in Peshawar itself. Pakistani vehicles were merrily running all around the country on Indian tyres!Also Read| <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/finally-pakistanis-to-get-vaccinated-by-india-263491/\\\">Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India</a>The simple fact was that the smuggling of Indian goods deprived the Pakistani state of revenue. Again, importing them through third countries instead of direct imports from India only increased their costs for consumers. However, this is not something that Pakistani authorities were bothered about when I was posted in Karachi in the early 1980's. Nor are they bothered about the shortage of cotton for their textile industry or the crushing effects of rampant inflation on the common man.It is tragic that Pakistan is unable to give up its habit of cutting its nose to spite its face.(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are personal. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Opoyi.)<a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#IndiaPakistanTies\\\" data-user-id=\\\"a5Sxa7KNymiK\\\" href=\\\"/topic/indiapakistanties\\\">#IndiaPakistanTies</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#ImranKhan\\\" data-user-id=\\\"tbL4Yp2U2lPN\\\" href=\\\"/topic/imrankhan\\\">#ImranKhan</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#Diplomacy\\\" data-user-id=\\\"G8IwDUiIFaNN\\\" href=\\\"/topic/diplomacy\\\">#Diplomacy</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#Pakistan\\\" data-user-id=\\\"wizuXkuQ3rL8\\\" href=\\\"/topic/pakistan\\\">#Pakistan</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#India\\\" data-user-id=\\\"Bq4MmUPrXF8p\\\" href=\\\"/topic/india\\\">#India</a>&nbsp;\",\"time\":1617379949148,\"strCount\":5100,\"isLegacyPost\":false}

<ul><li>The decision to revoke the ban was taken "in the interest of the people," Pakistan Finance Minister had said</li><li>Pakistan Interior Minister on Thursday said the decision to revoke the ban on imports has been "deferred"</li><li>The decision was ‘deferred' until India restored Kashmir's special status, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said</li></ul>

Pakistan%27s%20U-turn%20on%20imports%20from%20India%3A%20Cutting%20its%20nose%20to%20spite%20its%20face%21

IndiaPakistanTies

ImranKhan

Diplomacy

Pakistan

On the occasion of Pakistan's 70th National Day on 23rd March this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying: "As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan. For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative." He added : " Excellency, at this difficult time for humanity, I would like to convey my best wishes to you and the people of Pakistan for dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic." Three days earlier, PM Modi had tweeted wishing PM Imran Khan a speedy recovery after he and his wife tested positive for the deadly virus. "Best wishes to Prime Minister ImranKhanPTI for a speedy recovery from Covid-19," he had said in his tweet. On 29th January, Imran Khan replied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking him for his greetings on Pakistan Day. Khan also said: "The people of Pakistan also desire peaceful, cooperative relations with all neighbours including India. We are convinced that durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, in particular the Jammu and Kashmir dispute." He added that the that creation of an enabling environment is imperative for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue. The Pakistani Prime Minister also conveyed his wishes for the people of India in the fight against the Covid pandemic. Also Read| Will Pakistanis ever stand up to their army's oppression?. Other positive signs. In this regard, there are some other positive developments which also need to be noted. Both the armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefires along the line of control in J&K in February. After about two-and-half years, a delegation of Pakistani officials arrived in India for a meeting of the permanent Indus commission this week. Last week, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India wants good friendly ties with Pakistan provided there's a conducive atmosphere for dialogue. Similar sentiments have been expressed across the border too.  Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on March 18 that it was time for India and Pakistan to "bury the past and move forward." He added that the peace between the two neighbours would help to "unlock" the potential of South and Central Asia.  . Also Read| Pakistan fails to keep India out of Afghan peace process. There are some hopeful signs in regard to trade also. Pakistan had suspended trade ties with India after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. However, in May 2020, Pakistan lifted the ban on the import of medicines and raw material from India to ensure there is no shortage of essential drugs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first step of reversing the complete suspension of trade with India. Now, according to media reports, Pakistan’s textile ministry headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan has recommended the lifting of a ban on the import of cotton from India to bridge the raw material shortfall the country's textile sector was facing. Currently, cotton and yarn imports are allowed from all countries except India. The textile sector in Pakistan strongly favours imports of cotton from India as they are much cheaper than imports from other countries. Pakistan Textile Exporters Association Chairman Khurram Mukhtar tweeted that the import of raw cotton, yarn and grey fabric from India will bridge the gap in demand and supply and will enable Pakistani exporters to continue the growth momentum. Two steps forward, two steps backwards. The past has shown that Indo-Pak relations are a case of two steps forward followed by two steps backwards. However, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to end the deeply ingrained hostility unless we want to hurtle towards another conflict, one that will perhaps be more destructive than any in the past. We need bold and out-of-the-box thinking to chart out a new course. To use a cliché, the bull has to be taken by the horns.    . Also Read| When a Pakistan military officer confessed his hopes for avenging Bangladesh. Hoping for a quick turn-around in Indo-Pakistan relations may just be wishful thinking. Perhaps it is, but I must admit that I have secretly indulged in it since 1978 when I went to Egypt on my first diplomatic posting and witnessed Anwar Sadat and Menahem Begin bury the hatchet between their two countries. Egypt and Israel, too had fought deadly wars in 1948, 1967 and 1973, but there is peace between them now, even though some people refer to it as ‘a cold peace’.  .  . Pakistan's hostility. Sadly, amidst all the turbulence which has marked Pakistan’s  history, and which has seen civilian governments and military juntas play musical chairs with one another, one aspect which has retained the stamp of permanence has been its unremitting hostility towards India and its steadfast desire to foment trouble across its eastern border. The inevitable conclusion that is drawn in India is that the ill-will of the Pakistan establishment, especially that of the army cannot be transformed into goodwill; whenever Pakistan can create problems for us, it will always do so. In turn, this has given rise to anti-Pakistan sentiments across many sections of the Indian polity. Given the fact that Pakistan’s economic, industrial and military strength is considerably less than India’s, a fundamental plank of its policy continues to be built around the asymmetric or proxy war involving the sending of terrorists across the Line of Control.  Although the Line of Control is fenced, there are portions of it where rivers and rivulets make the fencing vulnerable and such sections are used by the infiltrators. The use of tunnels for sending across infiltrators has also been resorted to by the Pakistanis. Kashmir issue. Will we ever be able to resolve what Pakistan regards as the core issue – the Kashmir dispute? It is very difficult, but I would not say that it is impossible.  It may be pertinent to note that according to the reputed journalist Kuldip Nayyar, Nawaz Sharif had himself admitted to him some years ago that neither can Pakistan take away Kashmir from India nor can India give it away. . Some analysts have suggested that the only reasonable and workable solution would be to eschew jingoism and settle the Kashmir dispute by recognising the Line of Control as an International Border. They feel that this is the only alternative to the endless hostility which only impoverishes both countries. In his treatise Securing India’s future in the new millennium, the well-known Indian strategic analyst Bramha Chellany has opined:. “In the long run, the only possible solution to the Kashmir dispute is for the three countries (India, Pakistan and China) to let bygone be bygones and agree to be content with the J&K territories they control.”  . The undeniable fact is that India-Pakistan relations can only be set right through a spirit of give and take.  If the willingness to compromise is absent, then the conflict cannot end and the hostility will keep increasing. It may take a very long time for everything to fall in place; there will be numerous set-backs. However, working towards this objective is preferable to just being reconciled to the war of attrition. It goes without saying that one issue on which India cannot compromise is the demand that the nurseries of terrorism in Pakistan must be closed down. Hopefully, Pakistan will begin to realise that its policy of sponsoring  terrorism is causing great damage to itself, as thousands of Pakistanis have died in acts of terrorism committed by the very same outfits which have been trained by the ISI and the armed forces. 'Sone ki chidiya' versus today's reality. Many in India as well as in Pakistan hope that one day our countries could live together as prosperous, good neighbours, much as France and Germany do now after having endured centuries of mutual conflicts. They hark back to those days when the Indian sub-continent produced so much wealth that it was called sone ki chidiya or a bird made of gold. That bird is now malnourished, sick and weak. The IMF rankings of countries in terms of Per Capita Income (2020 estimates) place India at 140 in the list and Pakistan at 150 with figures of US$  1,877 and $1,378 respectively. By comparison, Malaysia is ranked 60 with US$ 10,192, Thailand at 77 with US$ 7,295, Indonesia at 107 with US$ 4,038 and Sri Lanka at 112 with US $ 3,698. Even Bangladesh has overtaken India and Pakistan and ranks 139 with figures of $ 1,888. Only really underdeveloped countries rank behind the South Asian giants India and Pakistan. Despite the fact that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been in existence since December 1985, it has precious little to show by way of real cooperation unlike ASEAN, another regional cooperation organisation in Asia. It is an axiomatic truth that our region needs development not conflict. To continue on our present path would be catastrophic. By working together, we can usher in a new age filled with hope not just for the two countries but for the whole of South Asia. #India #Pakistan #ImranKhan #NarendraModi #LoC .

<ul><li>There are some other positive developments between India and Pakistan that need to be noted</li><li>Both the armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefires along the line of control in J&amp;K in February</li><li>&nbsp;After about two-and-half years, a delegation of Pakistani officials arrived in India for a meeting of the permanent Indus commission this week</li></ul>

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NarendraModi

In his speech in Dhaka on the occasion of the National Day Celebrations of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the atrocities meted out to Bangladeshi citizens by the Pakistan army. "The pictures of atrocities that the Pakistan army inflicted on the people here used to distract us. For many days those pictures didn't let us sleep," PM Modi said.  . However, the track record of the Pakistani army shows that when it comes to ruthlessly committing atrocities, it does not spare even its own people!. I was posted in Karachi in the early 1980's, and I witnessed how entire sections of the population were systematically subjected to atrocities. The rights of the common citizen were completely crushed under Martial Law, which had been in force in Pakistan since July 1977 when General Muhammad Zia ul Haq staged a coup, deposed the elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, became Chief Martial Law Administrator. Also Read| Pakistan fails to keep India out of Afghan peace process. Zia ruled as only a dictator would. Civilian authority was completely subjugated by him, and Martial Law Administrators were put in charge at every level. Zia himself was the Chief Martial Law Administrator till he took over the office of the President of the country on 16 September, 1978. Zia could subvert the constitution and crush the citizens as he was fully backed by the army. A lot has already been spoken and written about the pivotal role the army plays in Pakistan. It is the final arbiter in politics and perhaps, everything else. However, there is some check on the army’s privileges when there is a civilian government in Pakistan. Under Zia’s Martial Law Regime, there was hardly any check and the army’s power was absolute. Also Read| When a Pakistan military officer confessed his hopes for avenging Bangladesh. Zia created a system wherein his fellow officers stood to gain a lot if he continued in power. Officers of the armed forces enjoyed power and pelf which they were loath to let go and therefore, supported him to the hilt unconditionally. Zia made sure that in virtually every sphere it was the army that ruled the roost. Generals close to him were appointed Provincial Governors, administering martial law in their respective jurisdictions. There were also martial law administrators at every level who often rode roughshod over the civilian officials. Also read: The US Defence Secretary's Recent Visit: Signposts and Markers. Being from a country such as India where the army never oversteps its role, I found the situation in Pakistan not just strange, but also tragic. I was witness to how civilian authority was being systematically humiliated, crushed and demoralised. As a result of such subjugation, separatism was rife in Sindh and Baluchistan. The Jeay Sindh movement had been started in 1972 in Sindh by the veteran leader GM Syed with the intention to secede from Pakistan and form Sindhudesh. Syed was inspired by the creation of Bangladesh. The Jeay Sindh movement espoused the view that Sindhis were being disenfranchised and not being given the rights and privileges that had been originally promised to them when a federal structure was established in Pakistan. Also read: US, China roast each other in Alaska. Earlier in his political career, GM Syed had worked hard for the creation of Pakistan, and had in fact, lobbied to have the bill for the creation of Pakistan passed in the Sindh Assembly. However, as time went by he became disenchanted and disowned the idea of Pakistan as he felt that the principles of federalism were being betrayed, as also because of the growing domination of Punjabis at the expense of other ethnic groups. Once Bangladesh was formed, it only served to strengthen his belief that the idea of Pakistani nationhood was unsustainable. He completely disavowed the idea of Pakistan which he had at one time himself espoused. GM Syed was arrested time and again, but the movement he had started kept gaining momentum. However, the Pakistan army brutally cracked down on Sindhi separatists, killing hundreds of them and arresting thousands of others. . Also read: Strategic partnership with India: Is the US sticking it to China?. While the Pakistan Government blamed India for the rise of Sindhi separatism, Syed himself lamented the fact that India had done nothing at all to help them. He reportedly told his confidantes that if India were to help the separatist movement in Sindh, they would be able to break away from Pakistan as Bangladesh had done. Even more worrisome for Pakistan is Baloch separatism which has assumed dangerously militant dimensions from time to time, and which the Pakistan army has tried to put down ruthlessly. Although Balochistan is the largest of the provinces of Pakistan and covers 44% of the area, it is the least populated with only 5% of the population. It is also the least economically developed with the vast majority of the population lacking even basic amenities. . Also Read| Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India. Baloch separatism has continued to rear its menacing head from time to time. Major conflicts between Baloch separatists and the Pakistan army took place in 1948, 1958-59, 1963-69 and 1973-77. A large number of Balochi guerrilla fighters and civilians have been killed in the operations conducted by the Pakistan army. It is estimated that between 2003 and 2012, over 8000 Balochis disappeared after they were abducted by Pakistani security forces. . When I was posted in Pakistan, the Pakistani media was subjected to strict censorship due to Martial Law, and reports about the ongoing atrocities and human rights violations in Sindh and Balochistan were not allowed to appear in the media. However, we would come to know what was going on through our local Pakistani friends. Sometimes there would be demonstrations in Karachi to protest over some particular incident, and word would be out about whatever had happened. Despite the unrelenting efforts of the military junta to muzzle the press, the people in Pakistan as well as elsewhere were fully aware of the seriousness of the situation in these two provinces. . In conclusion, one cannot do better than recall how the Pakistani writer Iftikhar Tariq Khanzada summed up his country’s plight in an article entitled ‘Pakistan: A failed State’ which appeared in ‘Liberty Voice’ on January 22, 2014: . The feudal-military-mullah nexus has ruled the country for the majority of its history. This is the main reason that democracy, which is flourishing across the border, has not been able to establish its credentials here. Over 60 percent of Pakistan’s GDP goes towards meeting its defence needs, consequently the overall economy suffers. Education in Pakistan has never been a priority with any government, so has been the case with social security and well-being of its citizens. Rampant inflation, unemployment, the daily deepening energy crises, unchecked corruption and the alarmingly deteriorating law and order situation have made Pakistan a favourite recruiting ground plus a safe haven for terrorists from all over the world. It did not come as a surprise that Osama Bin Laden was found living in Abbottabad Cantonment in the failed state of Pakistan. Pakistanis will continue to suffer until the stranglehold of the military-mullah nexus weakens. However, it is they themselves who have to fight the system and rectify the unfortunate situation that exists in their country where the army rules supreme, though it will be a long haul for them. (Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are personal. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Opoyi.). #Bangladesh #Pakistan #NarendraModi #ZiaulHaq #Army .

<ul><li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dhaka recalled the atrocities meted out to Bangladeshi citizens by the Pakistan army</li><li>The track record of the Pakistani army shows that when it comes to ruthlessly committing atrocities, it does not spare even its own people</li><li>The rights of the common citizen were completely crushed under Martial Law, which&nbsp;had been in force in Pakistan since July 1977&nbsp;</li></ul>

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ZiaulHaq

Army

The sordid saga of Afghanistan shows no signs of ending. For centuries, this hapless land has been in the grip of a vicious circle of violence and bloodshed, with the balance of power shifting back and forth between warring tribal groups, leaving instability and abject poverty in the wake. Caught in the middle are ordinary Afghans, who have borne the brunt of the excesses of conflict-- ravaged by war, drought and hunger.  . It is these ordinary Afghans who see India as a friend, and who have high regard for it. For modern, post-Taliban Afghanistan, India has been a steadfast partner and has supported it with over $3 billion in development assistance, far more than it has provided to any other nation. The partnership is built on the specific needs and requirements worked out with the government of Afghanistan.  . Also read: When a Pakistan military officer confessed his hopes for avenging Bangladesh. India's assistance has taken various forms such as scholarships to students, infrastructure and transportation projects, medical teams to treat Afghans, and building institutional capacities at the ministry level. The $290 million Afghan-India Friendship Dam(also known as the Salma Dam), the $90 million Afghan Parliament building in Kabul and the $135 million Delaram-Zaranj highway are just some examples of India's assistance to that country. Last month, on February 9, India pledged to provide $236 million for building a second dam on the outskirts of Kabul. The Shahtoot Dam, as it will be named, is planned to be completed in the next three years. It is set to hold nearly 150 million cubic meters of water to help irrigate some 4,000 hectares of land, and to provide drinking water to some two million residents of Kabul. Despite this, India has been denied the opportunity to play its due role in the Afghan peace process. However, that seems to be changing now.  US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has proposed a UN-led peace conference to be attended by foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US.  Thus, the marginalisation of India in the Afghan peace process seems to be ending. . The government in Kabul wants that India should be part of the Afghan peace process. On the other hand, the Taliban and its Pakistani backers are strongly opposed to India having any role in this regard. China also supports its all-weather friend Pakistan in trying to exclude India. As a result, despite having a strong interest in the future of Afghanistan, India has been denied its due role in the peace talks. In fact, India has either been completely excluded or has been able to play a role only from the sidelines. Also read: The US Defence Secretary's Recent Visit: Signposts and Markers. Recently, Russia had invited representatives of China, Pakistan, and the United States, as well as the Afghan government and Taliban, for talks held in Moscow on March 18. India was not invited to these talks despite having a long-standing friendship with Russia. It seems that the Russians acceded to pressure from Pakistan and China. Moreover, the warming of India's ties with the US could also have influenced Russia's decision to exclude India.  It is important to note what was stated by Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar who came to India on a three-day visit from March 22-24. At a press conference at the end of his visit, he said that " India has a legitimate interest in the peace and security of Afghanistan and we are seeking a greater role for it. He also lauded India's continuous support to the government and people of Afghanistan, saying "As always, India has been a very kind, respectful and generous friend of Afghanistan".    . As is well known, Pakistan has always tried to create strategic depth for itself in Afghanistan, which implies being able to use its territory to further its own nefarious designs. For this reason, Pakistan wants to ensure that India is completely pushed away and is prevented from having any role in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal had unambiguously enunciated his country's position in January last year when, in response to a question, he had said "India has no role in Afghanistan". A Pentagon report released in May last year affirms that Pakistan continues to focus on countering Indian influence in Afghanistan and harbours the Taliban and groups such as the Haqqani Network, which have the ability to engage in violence on Afghan soil.  The formal inclusion of India in the Afghan peace deliberations may alter the situation. In particular, it would upset the calculations of Pakistan and the Taliban--and perhaps China as well. Also read: US, China roast each other in Alaska. The peace deal which the Trump administration reached with the Taliban on February 29 last year affected the interests of the Afghan government very adversely. The US agreed that within 135 days of the deal, it would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 and withdraw them completely within 14 months. US allies were also to withdraw their troops proportionately. Moreover, the US agreed to lift sanctions against the Taliban and to work with the UN to lift its separate sanctions against it. In return, the Taliban agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they controlled. Additionally, the deal also provided for a prisoner swap; some 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 Afghan security force prisoners would be exchanged by 10 March, when talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government were due to start. . If Trump really wanted to bring peace to Afghanistan, then he made a blunder by putting the cart before the horse, for the announcement of a timetable for US troop withdrawal should have been made only after the talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban had reached an acceptable outcome. By announcing the withdrawal timetable before these talks had even started, Trump played into the hands of the Taliban and their backers in the Pakistan Government, especially the ISI. The Taliban quickly realised that Trump had made up his mind to pull out US troops, and they built their strategy around procrastination and erecting obstacles in their talks with the Kabul regime, thus buying time. India was naturally concerned about the prospects of the Pakistan-backed Taliban taking over the reins of power in Kabul. The long-awaited intra-Afghan dialogue between the Kabul government and the Taliban started on September 12, 2020 but it got stalled and was still far from achieving any results. The talks hardly made any progress on some basic sticking points. The Afghan government backs the current socio-political system, while the Taliban wants to reimpose its version of Islamic law as the country’s system of governance. The Taliban, who are Sunni hardliners, are insisting on adherence to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, but the government negotiators say this could be used to discriminate against Hazaras, who are predominantly Shia, and other minorities in the country. The stalled talks resumed in February 2021 but again made no headway. . Also read: Boris, beware the Ides of March!. The United Nations said in a report released on Feb 23, 2021 that Civilian casualties in Afghanistan escalated sharply after peace talks began in September last year and called for a ceasefire. However, there has not been any letup in the violence. The Afghan government wants the Taliban to agree on a permanent ceasefire, a demand which has been resisted by the latter. In fact, the Taliban have shown no interest in reducing the violence as it is part of their strategy for increasing the pressure on the Kabul government. General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US Army Central Command(CENTCOM) said last month that the Taliban are clearly responsible for violence in Afghanistan, with civilians and Afghan security forces taking the brunt of the bloodshed. He said: " Certainly ISIS (the Islamic State group) has launched some attacks. It pales against what the Taliban is doing. It's a  combination of their countrywide attacks against the Afghan forces, their targeted assassinations in some of the urban areas." He also said that "Violence is not directed at us or our coalition NATO friends, it is directed against the Afghan military and security forces and against the people as well. And that is principally coming from the Taliban.". In this background, the Biden Administration has launched a diplomatic offensive to push through a new plan for an accelerated peace process in Afghanistan. The new peace plan calls for the establishment of an interim government in a matter of weeks, charged with negotiating peace and a new constitution. Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for Afghan reconciliation, has met leaders in Kabul and Islamabad as also Taliban representatives in Doha. Also read: Strategic partnership with India: Is the US sticking it to China?. However, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected this plan which requires his government to step down and be replaced by an interim administration and is proposing instead another plan under which a new presidential election be held within six months if the Taliban agree on a ceasefire. He has said that he will unveil the details of his plan at an international meeting on Afghanistan to be held in Turkey next month. In any case, the US plan cannot make any headway without Ghani's support. In view of the slow-motion peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government, the United States is faced with the question of whether it should withdraw its remaining troops from Afghanistan which are understood to number 3,500 and not 2,500 as disclosed by it earlier. The deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban calls for a full U.S. troop withdrawal by May 1, but the Biden administration has indicated that it is reviewing the deal. Three days back, on May 25, Biden said at his first White House news conference that it would be hard to comply with the  May 1 deadline, which also requires the departure of some 7,000 allied forces. At the same time, he said that he “could not picture” US troops being in the country next year. The next day, the Taliban said it would resume hostilities against foreign forces - which ended under the US-Taliban deal - if they remain beyond the deadline. . Also read: The Freedom House Report on India: Take it with a pinch of salt . Summing up, the Taliban wants the Americans and their allies to leave by May 1, while the Kabul government wants the US troops to stay, arguing that their withdrawal at this juncture would simply lead to the collapse of Afghanistan. Like Trump, Biden favours pulling out US forces but he is considering whether this would involve too high a risk of the Taliban defeating government forces and taking over key cities. Many senior military commanders also opine that a full US withdrawal could also lead to Al Qaeda and other groups hostile to the United States again establishing themselves in Afghanistan. In this evolving scenario, India's participation in the Afghan peace talks assumes significance and would be very helpful for the Afghan government--as also for ordinary Afghans whose lives it has assiduously tried to make better.  . #India #Afghanistan #Pakistan #Taliban #UnitedStates #Politics #World .

<ul><li>India has been a steadfast partner of Afghanistan and has supported it with over $3 billion in development assistance</li><li>The marginalisation of India in the Afghan peace process seems to be ending</li><li>Pakistan wants to ensure that&nbsp;India is completely pushed away and is prevented from having any role in Afghanistan</li></ul>

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Afghanistan

Taliban

UnitedStates

Politics

World

Prime Minister Modi yesterday was the Chief Guest at the celebrations of Bangladesh's National Day in Dhaka and gave a rousing address on the occasion, paying tributes to the soldiers who fought in Bangladesh's war for independence."Today in Bangladesh, the blood of those who fought for their liberation and the blood of Indian soldiers are flowing together.". Also Read | PM Modi says India wants love and peace with Bangladesh, not terror and unrest. His speech reminded me of the early 1980's when I was posted in Karachi--a period which I have described at length in my book 'Karachi Halwa'. During my three and a half year posting, I got the unmistakable impression that not just military analysts but most Pakistanis wanted that Bangladesh should be avenged. Although I did come across some Pakistanis from time to time who genuinely wanted good relations with India, the majority did not wish India well, and would not do so in the foreseeable future. . I recall that when Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, sweets were distributed in many areas of Karachi and other cities in Pakistan, and celebrations were held in many places. It was widely believed that the government and right-wing Islamic parties were behind this. Also Read | PM Modi's blunder or Opposition overreaction: All about 'Bangladesh satyagraha'. Why did they indulge in such despicable acts? No doubt, this was because her assassination gave great joy to many Pakistanis who saw her as the chief architect of Pakistan’s breakup in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh. Former Pakistan President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who never seemed to run out of crocodile tears, came to attend Indira Gandhi’s funeral. A friend of mine at the External Affairs Ministry was attached as Protocol Assistant with the Pakistan delegation. He recounted something that was a huge eye opener for many of us. The Pakistan delegation along with many others was put up at the Asoka Hotel. When Zia and his entourage returned to the hotel after the funeral, they found that there was already a big queue of people waiting to get into the elevator as several other delegations had also returned around the same time. Also Read | As Assam, Bengal prep for phase 1 poll, why everyone's eyes are on 2024. Not wanting to wait, Zia said that he would take the stairs. When one of his entourage members tried to dissuade him because his suite was on the fifth floor,  Zia said something to him in a low voice, assuming that everyone around him was a Pakistani; he did not realise that one of them was my friend, the Indian protocol official (Indians and the Pakistanis look quite similar, don’t we?). You can never imagine what Zia said softly, almost in a whisper. He said, “Aaj to hum paanch manzil bhi charh jayenge.” Roughly translated, it means, “Today I will climb even five floors.” Such was his sense of elation!. A few days after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, I attended a reception in Karachi where I met Brig. AR Siddiqui, a prominent Pakistani military expert and Director General of the Institute for Inter Services Public Relations. He served as the Official Spokesman of the Pakistan armed forces. . Having downed more than a couple of drinks, his tongue loosened up and he said: “Mr. Dayal, very soon you will not be able to recognise the map of your country.” Clearly, he was hinting that Punjab was going to break away from India. . Also Read | Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India. I retorted that this would happen only if Pakistan itself ceased to exist as a separate country and re-joined India. He was quite cheesed-off with my reply. Nonetheless, Brig. Siddiqui’s remarks were an indication of how analysts and strategic thinkers in Pakistan viewed the developments across the border in India. They were quite convinced that India was going to break up as their own country had done a decade earlier. Zia’s government had done everything possible to fan the flames of separatism, and people like Brig. Siddiqui were sure that these efforts were going to bear fruit soon. It was not difficult to understand that this was something they were hungering for; they simply wanted revenge for Bangladesh. Also Read | The US Defence Secretary's Recent Visit: Signposts and Markers. This was the impression I got when I was posted in Karachi in the early 80's, and it is much the same impression I have today. I am not alone in thinking like this, as countless opinion polls have shown that most Indians share the same pessimism with regard to Pakistan. . #Bangladesh #IndiaPakistanTies #IndiraGandhi #Pakistan #India #PMModi .

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%20the%20stairs.%20When%20one%20of%20his%20entourage%20members%20tried%20to%20dissuade%20him%20because%20his%20suite%20was%20on%20the%20fifth%20floor%2C%26nbsp%3B%20Zia%20said%20something%20to%20him%20in%20a%20low%20voice%2C%20assuming%20that%20everyone%20around%20him%20was%20a%20Pakistani%3B%20he%20did%20not%20realise%20that%20one%20of%20them%20was%20my%20friend%2C%20the%20Indian%20protocol%20official%20%28Indians%20and%20the%20Pakistanis%20look%20quite%20similar%2C%20don%u2019t%20we%3F%29.%20You%20can%20never%20imagine%20what%20Zia%20said%20softly%2C%20almost%20in%20a%20whisper.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":154,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Ci%3EHe%20said%2C%20%u201CAaj%20to%20hum%20paanch%20manzil%20bhi%20charh%20jayenge.%u201D%20%3C/i%3ERoughly%20translated%2C%20it%20means%2C%20%u201CToday%20I%20will%20climb%20even%20five%20floors.%u201D%20Such%20was%20his%20sense%20of%20elation%21\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":292,\"data\":{\"text\":\"A%20few%20days%20after%20Indira%20Gandhi%u2019s%20assassination%2C%20I%20attended%20a%20reception%20in%20Karachi%20where%20I%20met%20Brig.%20AR%20Siddiqui%2C%20a%20prominent%20Pakistani%20military%20expert%20and%20Director%20General%20of%20the%20Institute%20for%20Inter%20Services%20Public%20Relations.%20He%20served%20as%20the%20Official%20Spokesman%20of%20the%20Pakistan%20armed%20forces.%26nbsp%3B\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":234,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Having%20downed%20more%20than%20a%20couple%20of%20drinks%2C%20his%20tongue%20loosened%20up%20and%20he%20said%3A%20%u201CMr.%20Dayal%2C%20very%20soon%20you%20will%20not%20be%20able%20to%20recognise%20the%20map%20of%20your%20country.%u201D%20Clearly%2C%20he%20was%20hinting%20that%20Punjab%20was%20going%20to%20break%20away%20from%20India.%26nbsp%3B\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":58,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Cstrong%3EAlso%20Read%20%7C%3C/strong%3E%20%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/finally-pakistanis-to-get-vaccinated-by-india%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinally%2C%20Pakistanis%20to%20get%20vaccinated%20by%20India%3C/strong%3E%3C/a%3E\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":156,\"data\":{\"text\":\"I%20retorted%20that%20this%20would%20happen%20only%20if%20Pakistan%20itself%20ceased%20to%20exist%20as%20a%20separate%20country%20and%20re-joined%20India.%20He%20was%20quite%20cheesed-off%20with%20my%20reply.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":436,\"data\":{\"text\":\"Nonetheless%2C%20Brig.%20Siddiqui%u2019s%20remarks%20were%20an%20indication%20of%20how%20analysts%20and%20strategic%20thinkers%20in%20Pakistan%20viewed%20the%20developments%20across%20the%20border%20in%20India.%20They%20were%20quite%20convinced%20that%20India%20was%20going%20to%20break%20up%20as%20their%20own%20country%20had%20done%20a%20decade%20earlier.%20Zia%u2019s%20government%20had%20done%20everything%20possible%20to%20fan%20the%20flames%20of%20separatism%2C%20and%20people%20like%20Brig.%20Siddiqui%20were%20sure%20that%20these%20efforts%20were%20going%20to%20bear%20fruit%20soon.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":126,\"data\":{\"text\":\"It%20was%20not%20difficult%20to%20understand%20that%20this%20was%20something%20they%20were%20hungering%20for%3B%20they%20simply%20wanted%20revenge%20for%20Bangladesh.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":74,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Cstrong%3EAlso%20Read%20%7C%3C/strong%3E%20%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/the-us-defence-secretarys-recent-visit-signposts-and-markers%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EThe%20US%20Defence%20Secretary%27s%20Recent%20Visit%3A%20Signposts%20and%20Markers%3C/strong%3E%3C/a%3E\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":271,\"data\":{\"text\":\"This%20was%20the%20impression%20I%20got%20when%20I%20was%20posted%20in%20Karachi%20in%20the%20early%2080%27s%2C%20and%20it%20is%20much%20the%20same%20impression%20I%20have%20today.%20I%20am%20not%20alone%20in%20thinking%20like%20this%2C%20as%20countless%20opinion%20polls%20have%20shown%20that%20most%20Indians%20share%20the%20same%20pessimism%20with%20regard%20to%20Pakistan.%26nbsp%3B\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"blockLen\":70,\"data\":{\"text\":\"%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Bangladesh%22%20data-user-id%3D%22ougW7CYy43uf%22%20href%3D%22/topic/bangladesh%22%3E%23Bangladesh%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23IndiaPakistanTies%22%20data-user-id%3D%22a5Sxa7KNymiK%22%20href%3D%22/topic/indiapakistanties%22%3E%23IndiaPakistanTies%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23IndiraGandhi%22%20data-user-id%3D%22G8w7HSdnG7Er%22%20href%3D%22/topic/indira-gandhi%22%3E%23IndiraGandhi%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Pakistan%22%20data-user-id%3D%22wizuXkuQ3rL8%22%20href%3D%22/topic/pakistan%22%3E%23Pakistan%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23India%22%20data-user-id%3D%22Bq4MmUPrXF8p%22%20href%3D%22/topic/india%22%3E%23India%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23PMModi%22%20data-user-id%3D%22RimmTWCKlKNg%22%20href%3D%22/topic/pmmodi%22%3E%23PMModi%3C/a%3E%26nbsp%3B\"}}],\"rawState\":\" Prime Minister Modi yesterday was the Chief Guest at the celebrations of Bangladesh's National Day in Dhaka and gave a rousing address on the occasion, paying tributes to the&nbsp;soldiers who fought in Bangladesh's war for independence.\\\"Today in Bangladesh, the blood of those who fought for their liberation and the blood of Indian soldiers are flowing together.\\\"Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-says-india-wants-love-and-peace-with-bangladesh-not-terror-and-unrest-382285/\\\">PM Modi says India wants love and peace with Bangladesh, not terror and unrest</a>His speech reminded me of the early 1980's when I was posted in Karachi--a period which I have described at length in my book 'Karachi Halwa'. During my three and a half year posting, I got the unmistakable impression that not just military analysts but most Pakistanis wanted that Bangladesh should be avenged. Although I did come across some Pakistanis from time to time who genuinely wanted good relations with India, the majority did not wish India well, and would not do so in the foreseeable future.&nbsp;<figure class=\\\"image\\\"><img src=\\\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_gKHTXGFnz.jpg?params={\\\\&quot;filePath\\\\&quot;:\\\\&quot;/opoyi_gKHTXGFnz.jpg\\\\&quot;,\\\\&quot;height\\\\&quot;:720,\\\\&quot;url\\\\&quot;:\\\\&quot;https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_gKHTXGFnz.jpg\\\\&quot;,\\\\&quot;width\\\\&quot;:1280}\\\"><figcaption>Lieutenant Gen Niazi signing the Instrument of surrender. (Photo credit: Twitter | @adgpi)</figcaption></figure>I recall that when Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, sweets were distributed in many areas of Karachi and other cities in Pakistan, and celebrations were held in many places.It was widely believed that the government and right-wing Islamic parties were behind this.Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/all-about-pm-modis-satyagraha-remark-history-and-citation-487292/\\\">PM Modi's blunder or Opposition overreaction: All about 'Bangladesh satyagraha'</a>Why did they indulge in such despicable acts? No doubt, this was because her assassination gave great joy to many Pakistanis who saw her as the chief architect of Pakistan’s breakup in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.Former Pakistan President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who never seemed to run out of crocodile tears, came to attend Indira Gandhi’s funeral. A friend of mine at the External Affairs Ministry was attached as Protocol Assistant with the Pakistan delegation. He recounted something that was a huge eye opener for many of us.The Pakistan delegation along with many others was put up at the Asoka Hotel. When Zia and his entourage returned to the hotel after the funeral, they found that there was already a big queue of people waiting to get into the elevator as several other delegations had also returned around the same time.Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/as-assam-bengal-ready-for-the-first-phase-of-voting-why-everyones-eyes-are-on-2024-106705/\\\">As Assam, Bengal prep for phase 1 poll, why everyone's eyes are on 2024</a>Not wanting to wait, Zia said that he would take the stairs. When one of his entourage members tried to dissuade him because his suite was on the fifth floor,&nbsp; Zia said something to him in a low voice, assuming that everyone around him was a Pakistani; he did not realise that one of them was my friend, the Indian protocol official (Indians and the Pakistanis look quite similar, don’t we?). You can never imagine what Zia said softly, almost in a whisper.He said, “Aaj to hum paanch manzil bhi charh jayenge.” Roughly translated, it means, “Today I will climb even five floors.” Such was his sense of elation!A few days after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, I attended a reception in Karachi where I met Brig. AR Siddiqui, a prominent Pakistani military expert and Director General of the Institute for Inter Services Public Relations. He served as the Official Spokesman of the Pakistan armed forces.&nbsp;Having downed more than a couple of drinks, his tongue loosened up and he said: “Mr. Dayal, very soon you will not be able to recognise the map of your country.” Clearly, he was hinting that Punjab was going to break away from India.&nbsp;Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/finally-pakistanis-to-get-vaccinated-by-india-263491/\\\">Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India</a>I retorted that this would happen only if Pakistan itself ceased to exist as a separate country and re-joined India. He was quite cheesed-off with my reply.Nonetheless, Brig. Siddiqui’s remarks were an indication of how analysts and strategic thinkers in Pakistan viewed the developments across the border in India. They were quite convinced that India was going to break up as their own country had done a decade earlier. Zia’s government had done everything possible to fan the flames of separatism, and people like Brig. Siddiqui were sure that these efforts were going to bear fruit soon.It was not difficult to understand that this was something they were hungering for; they simply wanted revenge for Bangladesh.Also Read | <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener noreferrer\\\" href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/the-us-defence-secretarys-recent-visit-signposts-and-markers-416114/\\\">The US Defence Secretary's Recent Visit: Signposts and Markers</a>This was the impression I got when I was posted in Karachi in the early 80's, and it is much the same impression I have today. I am not alone in thinking like this, as countless opinion polls have shown that most Indians share the same pessimism with regard to Pakistan.&nbsp;<a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#Bangladesh\\\" data-user-id=\\\"ougW7CYy43uf\\\" href=\\\"/topic/bangladesh\\\">#Bangladesh</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#IndiaPakistanTies\\\" data-user-id=\\\"a5Sxa7KNymiK\\\" href=\\\"/topic/indiapakistanties\\\">#IndiaPakistanTies</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#IndiraGandhi\\\" data-user-id=\\\"G8w7HSdnG7Er\\\" href=\\\"/topic/indira-gandhi\\\">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#Pakistan\\\" data-user-id=\\\"wizuXkuQ3rL8\\\" href=\\\"/topic/pakistan\\\">#Pakistan</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#India\\\" data-user-id=\\\"Bq4MmUPrXF8p\\\" href=\\\"/topic/india\\\">#India</a> <a class=\\\"mention\\\" data-mention=\\\"#PMModi\\\" data-user-id=\\\"RimmTWCKlKNg\\\" href=\\\"/topic/pmmodi\\\">#PMModi</a>&nbsp;\",\"time\":1616848113572,\"strCount\":4670,\"isLegacyPost\":false}

<ul><li>Analysts and strategic thinkers in Pak were &nbsp;convinced that India was going to break up</li><li>&nbsp;They simply wanted revenge for Bangladesh</li><li>When Indira Gandhi was killed, sweets were distributed in many areas of Karachi</li></ul>

When%20a%20Pakistan%20military%20officer%20confessed%20his%20hopes%20for%20avenging%20Bangladesh

IndiraGandhi

Gen.( Retd) Llyod Austin, the US Secretary of Defence, visited India from March 19-21. As would be expected, the Indian Government rolled out the red carpet and gave the visit a very high degree of importance. He met Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. .  What are the key takeaways from this visit?  What are the markers and signposts which can help understand where the relationship is headed?.  In diplomacy, timing matters a lot, and the timing of the visit was very significant. It came on the heels of the US-China acrimonious talks in Alaska which have been described by the BBC as' an unusually undiplomatic sparring match'.  Moreover, it was just a week after the Quad summit had been convened by President Biden, and which PM Modi had attended. Also read: US, China roast each other in Alaska.  It was also the first overseas visit by a senior member of the Biden Administration, and it came right after his own visits to Japan and Korea--both key allies of the US. Clearly, the visit was aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the US.  US Defence Secretary Austin had stated unequivocally during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 19 that "If confirmed, my overarching objective for our defence relationship with India would be to continue elevating the partnership". The fact that India figured in the list of countries during his first visit abroad shows that he is keen to translate his commitment into action. Working closely with India has become an important aspect of US foreign policy, and US policy planners envision that it is in their country's interest to augment the bilateral proximity in the present global scenario. .    The importance attached by President Biden to working with India was emphasised by his Administration from the very start. Just two days after the Presidential inauguration, Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary said at a news briefing that  "President Biden, of course has visited India many times, respects and values the long, bipartisan, successful relationship between leaders in India and the United States. He looks forward to a continuation of that.” Again, on March 9, Psaki said that Biden has made the Quad summit on Friday March 12 one of his earliest multilateral engagements, and that it shows the importance which the US is giving to closer cooperation with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region." Thus, the  White House had sent clear signals that it would seek to strengthen Indo-US relations. . Also read: Boris, beware the Ides of March!. Of course, China's territorial and economic expansionism is serving as a catalyst in this regard. Early on, there were signs that the Biden administration saw the US-China relationship in less hostile terms as compared to the Trump Administration.  However, as the days rolled by, there was a perceptible hardening of the Biden Administration's attitude towards China. Slowly, it became more upfront in being publicly critical of Beijing. When he delivered a virtual address at the Munich Security Conference on 19th February, Biden said "We have to push back against the Chinese government’s abuses and coercion that undercut the foundations of the international economic system". In his blunt opening statement at the Alaska meeting on 18th March, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US side would "discuss our deep concerns about actions by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyber attacks on the United States, economic coercion of our allies", adding "each of these actions threatens the rules-based order that maintains global stability." . The US approach was also spelt out recently by Blinken and Austin in their joint op-ed in the Washington Post on 15th March--just three days before the Alaska meeting and Austin's visit to India. They wrote:"  The United States is now making a big push to revitalize our ties with friends and partners — both in one-to-one relationships and in multilateral institutions — and to recommit to our shared goals, values and responsibilities." They also wrote: "The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the centre of global geopolitics. It is home to billions of the world’s people, several established and rising powers, and five of America’s treaty allies. Plus, a great deal of the world’s trade travels through its sea lanes It is strongly in our interests for the Indo-Pacific region to be free and open, anchored by respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.". About the threat from China, they wrote:"  Not all countries share this vision. Some seek to challenge the international order — that is, the rules, values and institutions that reduce conflict and make cooperation possible among nations. As countries in the region and beyond know, China in particular is all too willing to use coercion to get its way. Here again, we see how working with our allies is critical. Our combined power makes us stronger when we must push back against China’s aggression and threats. Together, we will hold China accountable when it abuses human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, systematically erodes autonomy in Hong Kong, undercuts democracy in Taiwan or asserts maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law. If we don’t act decisively and lead, Beijing will." Underscoring the importance of working with like-minded nations,  they wrote that "it’s the most effective way to meet the challenges we face today, few of which can be solved by us acting alone.". Also read: Strategic partnership with India: Is the US sticking it to China?. In this context, working closely with India makes good sense to US policy makers. After Austin's meetings with PM Modi and NSA Doval, the US Embassy said "“Both sides exchanged perspectives on shared challenges confronting the region and committed to further strengthen their broad ranging and robust defence cooperation.” On its part, India reciprocated the sentiment. PM Modi tweeted after the meeting "“India and the U.S. are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good.” The Ministry of External Affairs also said in a statement "“The Prime Minister welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order.” In this context, working closely with India becomes more intrinsic to US policy formulation. At the same time, another aspect of Defence Secretary Austin's visit should not be overlooked. The Pentagon sees India as a potential purchaser of advanced weapons systems and this makes it even more necessary for Biden to seek a closer relationship with the Indian political establishment. The on-going India-China standoff at the LAC continues to be seen by the US as a great opportunity to sell weapons and other defence-related items which India needs to acquire at such a difficult time.  Both countries have increased their defence partnership in recent years and signed four key foundational defence pacts. The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee back in 2002. It aims to protect the military information shared by the US. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed a full 14 years later in 2016, and it aims to provide mutual logistics support around the world. The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed in 2018, and it aims to facilitate communication between the weapons platforms of the two armed forces. Finally, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement was signed at the Indo-US 2+2 meeting in October 2020 and it largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence. BECA will provide Indian military systems with a high-quality GPS to navigate and missiles with real-time intelligence to precisely target the adversary. It will also give access to topographical and aeronautical data and products that will aid navigation and targeting. In this context, it may be noted that India has substantially increased its acquisition of US defence equipment. Indian forces are operating US-sourced platforms such as P-8s, C-130Js, C-17s, AH-64s, CH-47s, Precision Guided-Excalibur Munitions, and M777 howitzers. In February, India agreed to acquire Apache and MH-60R multi-mission helicopters worth $3.1 billion, and is considering other US systems. A deal for 30 armed drones, 10 each for the army, air force, and navy, estimated at $3 billion, is close to being approved by the Indian defence ministry. In November 2020, the Indian Navy acquired two Sea Guardian unarmed drones from the U.S. on a one-year lease. India has plans also to buy six additional P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft in addition to the 12 already contracted. Also read: The Freedom House Report on India: Take it with a pinch of salt. During the Trump Administration,  amidst all the din about the US standing alongside India to ward off the Chinese threat, there was an unmistakable sales pitch that was clear as daylight. US media reports made no secret of the fact that during the 2+2 dialogue in October 2020, Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper had tried to push India to purchase MQ-9 Reaper drones.  From the beginning, Trump had made arms sales a central component of his foreign policy. . It cannot be doubted that the Biden Administration will also push for arms-sales to India, and Defence Secretary Austin undoubtedly saw this as a priority item on his agenda during his visit.  However, some irritants in the Indo-US bilateral relationship cannot be overlooked. Prior to his visit to India,  US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Menendez had  written a letter to him asking him to raise concerns about India “trending away” from shared democratic values, including the Indian government’s handling of the farmers’ protest and a crackdown on journalists and critics. “In meetings with Indian counterparts during your upcoming visit, I strongly encourage you to make clear that in all areas, including security cooperation, the US-India partnership must rest on adherence to democratic values,” Menendez said in his letter. .   In his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez plays a key role in influencing the country's foreign policy and national security. Among his predecessors include President Joe Biden, who occupied this position during former president George Bush's administration and former secretary of state John Kerry.  It may be pointed out that Lloyd Austin is the Secretary of Defence, and within the US set up, matters such as human rights and democracy overseas do not come under his domain. However, while responding to a question during a media briefing, Austin said  that he had raised issues of human rights of the country’s minorities with members of the Indian cabinet as “partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions”.  Asked specifically if he had raised the violation of human rights of India’s minorities as the first member of the Biden administration to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austin replied that he “did not have an opportunity to talk with him about that issue during their meeting,” adding :  “Having said that, I did have a conversation with other members of the cabinet on this issue. I think we have to remember that India is our partner and a partner whose partnership we value, and I think partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And certainly, we feel comfortable in doing that, and you can have those discussions in a very meaningful way and still make progress,” Austin said. . Also read: New horizons emerging for India from Desert Flag VI.  In this regard, the thinking of some key players in the Biden Administration is no secret. In 2019, soon after the Centre stripped Jammu and Kashmir of special status under Article 370 and split it into two Union Territories, Kamala Harris did not mince words. “We have to remind Kashmiris they are not alone in the world,” she said. “We are keeping a track on the situation. There is a need to intervene if the situation demands.” Again, in the Biden campaign’s agenda for Muslim Americans, India’s National Register of Citizens and Kashmir featured in the list of threats to Muslim populations across the world. “In Kashmir, the Indian government should take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people of Kashmir,” said the campaign agenda. “Restrictions on dissent, such as preventing peaceful protests or shutting or slowing down the Internet, weaken democracy.”. Freedom House, a US-based, US-funded Non-Governmental Organisation said in its recent report 'Democracy under Siege' that Civil liberties in India have been in decline since PM Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. The report downgraded India's rating to 'partly free'. Trump had maintained a tactical silence in regard to India's Citizenship Amendment Act and the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir. While the Biden Administration may also find it necessary to maintain a similar tactical silence on these internal matters of India, during closed-door meetings with the Indian side, such reports are likely to be cited as instances of 'independent' studies calling on India to undertake a course-correction. Something of this nature appears to have been done by Austin. On their part, senior Indian officials have said that  human rights and values were discussed as shared strengths of the two countries. However, this irritant is likely to keep raising its head from time to time. There is another and perhaps more serious danger to the US-India relationship lurking on the scene and it relates to CAATSA (Combating America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). On India's reported plan to purchase the Russian S-400 missile defence system, Senator Menendez said in his letter to Defence Secretary Austin that if India chooses to go forward with its purchase, that act will clearly constitute a sanctionable transaction with the Russian defence sector under provisions of  CAATSA.“I recognise that India is not a US treaty ally and has historical ties with the Soviet and Russian militaries. However, if India chooses to go forward with its purchase of the S-400, that act will clearly constitute a significant and therefore sanctionable, transaction with the Russian defence sector under Section 231 of CAATSA,” Menendez wrote. “It will also limit India's ability to work with the US on the development and procurement of sensitive military technology. I expect you to make all of these challenges clear in conversations with your Indian counterparts,” he said. Also read: China's lies, damned lies and statistics.  Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin did raise the issue of India’s planned acquisition of the S-400 air defence system from Russia, and stressed that allies and partners should avoid “any kind of acquisitions that will trigger sanctions”. It may be recalled that In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the then Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions. In 2019, India made the first tranche of payment of around USD 800 million to Russia for the missile systems which are expected to be delivered later this year. The United States had in January 2021 imposed sanctions on Turkey, a NATO ally for purchasing  S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia. However, it had done so only after Turkey took the delivery of the first shipment.  Briefing the media, Austin said that the question of CAATSA or sanctions against India is not on the table as India has not taken delivery of the system. He, however, did not elaborate on what will happen when India will take delivery of the system later this year. Summing up, one cannot ignore these potential roadblocks for the Indo-US relationship. They cannot be wished away because they are very much real. There is a great deal of affinity being shown by US policy makers towards India, but it may lessen considerably if they can sort out their difficulties on trade-related issues with China. The signposts and markers in the unfolding scenario will have to be watched closely to understand where the relationship is heading.  #LloydAustin #India #UnitedStates #JoeBiden .

<ul><li>US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin's visit to India marked the first official visit of senior member of US President Joe Biden's administration</li><li>Austin had mentioned in his Senate confirmation hearing on January 19 that his objective would be to keep ‘elevating the partnership’ with India</li><li>A potential purchaser of advanced weapon systems, it is essential for Biden to seek a closer diplomatic relationship with India</li></ul>

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It was freezing cold in Anchorage, Alaska, with the mercury dipping several degrees below zero when the US and Chinese delegations met there on March 18-19 for the first high-level talks between the two countries since President Joe Biden assumed office. These talks were held between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on the US side facing off with China's most senior foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, and foreign minister Wang Yi. No one was prepared for the intense heat generated from the mutual roasting which took place at this meeting, described by the BBC as 'an unusually undiplomatic sparring match'. . Also read: Boris, beware the Ides of March!. The first session, open to the media, was marked by sharp exchanges of a sort rarely seen on such occasions. The acrimonious exchange, which took place in front of the world's media, went on for more than an hour. . In a blunt opening statement, Secretary of State Tony Blinken said the US side would "discuss our deep concerns about actions by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyber attacks on the United States, economic coercion of our allies", adding "each of these actions threatens the rules-based order that maintains global stability.". In response, Yang accused Washington of using its military might and financial supremacy to suppress other countries. "It abuses so-called notions of national security to obstruct normal trade exchanges, and incite some countries to attack China," he added. Yang also said human rights in the US were at a low point, with black Americans being "slaughtered". The State Department blasted the Chinese delegation for violating an agreed-upon two-minute time limit for opening statements and suggested it “seems to have arrived intent on grandstanding, focused on public theatrics and dramatics over substance.”. Also read: Finally, Pakistanis to get vaccinated by India. On the other hand, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that Blinken and Sullivan had provoked Chinese officials into making a “solemn response” after US officials made “groundless attacks” against China, adding "it was not the original intention of the Chinese side.” . What is one to make of this new episode in US-China relations?. It is no secret that Beijing wants to reset ties after those difficult, tension-filled years of the Trump Administration which, after an initial phase of bonhomie had adopted a confrontational stance towards China. Early on, the Biden administration had taken the position that it would be tough on issues of concern, but would be willing to work with Beijing on matters of interest. . There were subtle signs that the Biden administration saw the US-China relationship in less hostile terms as compared to the Trump Administration. While Secretary of State Tony Blinken described the relationship as a ‘complicated one’, containing a mix of ‘adversarial’, ‘competitive’, and ‘cooperative’ dimensions,  Biden’s special Climate Change envoy John Kerry made it clear that cooperation with China would be one his central objectives. Also read: Strategic partnership with India: Is the US sticking it to China?. However, as the days rolled by, there was a perceptible hardening of the Biden Administration's attitude towards China. When he delivered a virtual address at the Munich Security Conference on 19th February, Biden said "We have to push back against the Chinese government’s abuses and coercion that undercut the foundations of the international economic system", adding "Everyone must play by the same rules". . Biden also said that “U.S. and European companies are required to publicly disclose corporate governance structures ... and abide by rules to deter corruption and monopolistic practices.  Chinese companies should be held to the same standard, " adding “We must stand up for the democratic values that make it possible to accomplish any of this, pushing back against those who would monopolize and normalize repression.” . Thus, the Biden Administration has slowly become more and more forthright in being publicly critical of Beijing. It seems that the Chinese knew what to expect in Anchorage and had thus come prepared to hit back. They were particularly angry that Washington had imposed sanctions on them the day before the talks over a crackdown on pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong. . However, despite the harsh words exchanged during the public session, it has been reported that the private discussions that followed in Alaska were substantive and serious.  . Also read: The Freedom House Report on India: Take it with a pinch of salt. There is a lot that China and the US disagree about. Trade is one such issue. The US accuses China of unfair practices, such as subsidising industries, stealing intellectual property, keeping its currency low and putting up barriers to trade. On the other hand, China wants the huge trade tariffs introduced by the Trump administration on Chinese goods to be eliminated. It also accuses the US of "suppressing" successful Chinese tech companies, such as Huawei. Another major area of disagreement relates to human rights and democracy. The US accuses China of genocide against the Uighur population in the province of Xinjiang and trampling on democratic rights in Hong Kong with a recently introduced security law. On its part, China calls on the US to stop interfering in what it considers its internal affairs and accuses the US of tarnishing the image of the ruling Communist Party. Above all, there is the issue of China's territorial expansionism, as evidenced by its stand-off with India and its assertiveness in the South China Sea. The acrimony witnessed at the opening session remains the biggest takeaway from the Alaska meeting. Therefore, the outlook for US-China trade relations is that they are likely to remain highly challenged. However, the very fact that the talks were held indicates that both sides recognise that the future course of the relationship depends upon whether or not they can find pragmatic ways of cooperation.  . #AntonyBlinken #UnitedStates #China #JoeBiden #XiJinping #USChinaTies #World .

<ul><li>The meeting in Alaska marked the first&nbsp;high-level talks between the US and China since President Joe Biden assumed office</li><li>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US side would “discuss its deep concerns about actions by China”</li><li>China's foreign policy official Yang Jiechi accused the US of using its military might and financial supremacy to suppress other countries</li></ul>

PrabhuDayal

Prabhu Dayal

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