Taking up the fight against military aid to Pakistan

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Just days before President Obama begins his India visit, the U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue is underway in Washington D.C. The talks would focus on the “strategic” relationship between the two countries, a euphemism for more aid money to Pakistan to fight extremists within its borders and help out the U.S. in Afghanistan. Even with almost no results to show for the billions it has extorted from the U.S. so far, the Pakistan delegation knows it would be returning to Islamabad with its pockets full.

The constant flow of foreign aid to Pakistan is a disturbing situation for India, who fears that most of the money is being used against it, particularly in Kashmir. In spite of repeated attempts (rather feeble attempts) to convince the world of how Pakistan spends the “aid” money, the flow has not reduced but rather increased. In 2009, Brahma Chellany wrote in the Deccan Chronicle,

“Between 1952 and 2008, Islamabad received over $73bn as foreign aid, according to Pakistan’s Economic Survey. But in the period since the Mumbai strikes, the amount of aid pledged or delivered to Pakistan has totalled a staggering $23.3bn. This figure excludes China’s unpublicised contributions but includes the IMF’s $7.6bn bailout package, released after the Mumbai attacks.
Just last week, Islamabad secured some $5.2bn in new aid at a donors conference — the first of its kind for Pakistan. At that conference, host Japan and America pledged $1bn each, while the EU promised $640 million, Saudi Arabia $700 million, and Iran and the UAE $300 million each.”

And none of the recent events, including reports of David Headley’s admission of the ISI’s hand in the Mumbai attacks in 2008, or a NATO official’s allegations of Osama Bin Laden living comfortably in Pakistan, can be expected to make any difference to what Pakistan gets. The Times of India in fact reported that the Obama administration is lining up about $ 2billion in new military aid to Pakistan. It is almost as if Pakistan is being rewarded for being a nuisance. At the same time efforts are on to persuade India to purchase billions of dollars worth of military goods from the U.S. Another round of the U.S’ game of providing arms to both sides in a conflict.

But neither the U.S, nor Pakistan can be really blamed for looking out for their own interests. Playing the victim and savior, and asking for money for being both at the same time, is what Pakistan does best. I think its leadership; its political and military institutions should be commended for efficiently training consecutive generations to fool the world with the same spiel! Other countries could learn a thing or two from Pakistan about consistent foreign policy.

The real loser in this game is India. It does not know how to play the victim (to Pakistani terrorism and western neglect) convincingly, nor does it have the guts to stand up and dictate its terms. India makes a few noises every time Pakistan receives aid, a lot gets written about, but nothing every comes off it. The status quo has continued for decades, and unless there is a serious change in attitude in India, there is little to claim that things might change anytime in the near future.

During President Obama’s visit this November, India should make all efforts to persuade the Obama administration to introduce strict accountability with any aid, humanitarian or otherwise, to Pakistan. The India lobby and the Indian-American community in the U.S. needs to play a larger role in convincing and bringing about a change in U.S. policy towards Pakistan in terms of aid. The Indian-American community is one of the fastest growing communities, with an increasing economic and political clout, and it’s time to put it to the good of not just India, but the U.S. as well. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his part should stop being docile, and demand (politely, if that makes it easy for him) that the U.S. change its aid policy towards Pakistan. If India thinks that a permanent seat at the UNSC could help it control Pakistan, it should lobby for that seat harder than ever before. A nod from the U.S. for its candidature can go really far. Of course, Pakistan would make bigger noises and attack a few places, but if India believes a UN route can make things change its way, some collateral damage should be taken in stride.

India is undoubtedly the superior power in terms of economic and military standing, but its negotiation skills leave a lot to be desired. In a diplomatic game, anything less than a master negotiator is useless. And if India can’t negotiate, it should fight. It is the time to fight.

[keko__keka]

us vallu valla profit kosam pak ki yelp seste tappendi baa..manam nepal and lanka and balgadesh ki seyatelda  sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink

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[quote author=keko__keka link=topic=115259.msg1235804#msg1235804 date=1288642217]
us vallu valla profit kosam pak ki yelp seste tappendi baa..[color=red]manam nepal and lanka and balgadesh ki seyatelda  sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink[/color]
[/quote]  sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink

[keko__keka]

[quote author=BENZBABU link=topic=115259.msg1235814#msg1235814 date=1288642283]
  sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink
[/quote]

even afgan too  sCh_elmodance2

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=keko__keka link=topic=115259.msg1235856#msg1235856 date=1288642685]
even afgan too  sCh_elmodance2
[/quote]

indak aoka post vesa...........mana emi seyatam ledu.................those three countries want to threat India as their big brother...............but we are not living up to their expectations

[keko__keka]

[quote author=BENZBABU link=topic=115259.msg1235864#msg1235864 date=1288642798]
indak aoka post vesa...........mana emi seyatam ledu.................those three countries want to threat India as their big brother...............but we are not living up to their expectations
[/quote]

avuna wakeu...kani us pak k help seste indian enduku object chestunnar.........thats  theier initerst kada  sCh_elmodance2

[skchinnari]

sCo_hmmthink

[soulmate]

};_ };_ };_ Dr@w@ Dr@w@ Dr@w@

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=keko__keka link=topic=115259.msg1235888#msg1235888 date=1288643183]
avuna wakeu...kani us pak k help seste indian enduku object chestunnar.........thats  theier initerst kada  sCh_elmodance2
[/quote]

daani interest kosam pakkana vaadu boodida ayipona parvaledaaa

[keko__keka]

[quote author=BENZBABU link=topic=115259.msg1235907#msg1235907 date=1288643350]
daani interest kosam pakkana vaadu boodida ayipona parvaledaaa
[/quote]

ade septunna mama..instead of whinign abt it...we have to come up with counter starategy like getting closer to china or russua or japan something like that............whats tha poiunt in whining........being the future super power we should learn these tricks of the trade......kadantava  sHa_fr1ends

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=keko__keka link=topic=115259.msg1235925#msg1235925 date=1288643519]
ade septunna mama..instead of whinign abt it...we have to come up with counter starategy like getting closer to china or russua or japan something like that............whats tha poiunt in whining........being the future super power we should learn these tricks of the trade......kadantava  sHa_fr1ends
[/quote]

mari mana parliament attack appudu........... border lo military ni pedite enduku edisini america................ hats off to vajpai..........evvadini care cheyaledu..........he was even prepared to go for surgical strikes.  Us valllu vachi eduste manukunnadu..............

[keko__keka]

[quote author=BENZBABU link=topic=115259.msg1235934#msg1235934 date=1288643647]
mari mana parliament attack appudu........... border lo military ni pedite enduku edisini america................ hats off to vajpai..........evvadini care cheyaledu..........he was even prepared to go for surgical strikes.  Us valllu vachi eduste manukunnadu..............
[/quote]

well said....... @gr33d alage counters ivvali gani......whining valla use ledu kada atunnna  sCh_elmodance2

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=keko__keka link=topic=115259.msg1235938#msg1235938 date=1288643708]
well said....... @gr33d alage counters ivvali gani......whining valla use ledu kada atunnna  sCh_elmodance2
[/quote]

yeah use ledu............ee congress gallu ante kante emi cheyaleru kada

[keko__keka]

[quote author=BENZBABU link=topic=115259.msg1235941#msg1235941 date=1288643754]
yeah use ledu............ee congress gallu ante kante emi cheyaleru kada
[/quote]
@gr33d  !q# !q#