Superficial efforts of USA to defuse Indo-Pakistan antagonism

By Asif Haroon Raja

Indo-Pakistan relations have remained strained since the inception of two states in August 1947. Some of the reasons of undying animosity are the Hindu-British nexus during the British rule in India which persecuted the Indian Muslims and played a perverse role while dividing India. Pakistan was loaded with innumerable complex problems so as to extinguish its life during infancy.

Kashmir was annexed forcibly by Indian forces in 1948 and the dispute has not been resolved to this date. Throughout 62 years of its history, Pakistan has remained the victim of Indian machinations. Even after truncating it in 1971, it continued with its expansionist and hegemonic policies to subdue Pakistan and to extract peace on unequal terms. Indian political leaders have been winning elections by castigating Pakistan and beating war drums. Pakistan being small in size and militarily weak has all along endeavored to normalize relations with India but its efforts were either rudely spurned or subjected to deceit.

Fixated by its ardent desire to be accepted as a regional power, it has been incessantly building up its military muscles and has employed covert means to keep Pakistan politically destabilized and economically weak. Pakistan's refusal to accept its hegemony has kept Indian leaders on a war path. It considers Pakistan to be the sole stumbling block in its path to attain regional ascendancy and big power status. Nuclearisation of Pakistan has frustrated its evil designs since it can no more bully or blackmail Pakistan by threatening to wage a war. It has therefore once again resorted to covert operations coupled with propaganda warfare at a massive scale to achieve its objectives. This time it has aligned itself with USA, Britain, Israel and Afghanistan and is using Afghan soil to launch clandestine operations in Balochistan, FATA and NWFP including Swat. Since India has already made deep inroads in Sindh, it is therefore concentrating on other regions.

In pursuant of their common objectives, foreign powers have been extending a helping hand to India for the last eight years despite the fact that Pakistan has been nominated as front line state to fight US war on terror and has rendered maximum sacrifices. During this testing period in which Pakistan suffered immensely at the hands of so-called friends, the two antagonists came close to war twice.

Having inflamed greater part of Pakistan through sabotage and subversion, India has the brashness to cry out that it is victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism. Hypocrisy of India can be judged from its habit of blaming Pakistan for the crimes it commits against Pakistan. Any act of terror, real or fabricated, taking place in India is promptly pasted on Pakistan without even carrying out preliminary investigations. It bellows and bawls loudly to gain sympathies of the world and to portray Pakistan as the culprit. It had done so when it cooked up a terrorist attack on Indian Parliament in December 2001 and termed it as another 9/11. Media hype was created and every Indian bayed for blood of Pakistan. Biggest ever troop mobilization was carried out and its forces stood in eye ball to eye ball contact for ten months. Its subsequent in house inquiry could not find any clue to substantiate its allegations blurted out at the spur of the moment but by then the damage had been done.

India behaved in similar audacious and babyish fashion when Mumbai incident occurred. Indian leaders removed the mask of friendship, called off composite dialogue in a huff and reverted to their obdurate and cantankerous posture. They are duplicitous, unprincipled and shameless. While falsely blaming Pakistan of terrorism without evidence, they haven't felt even pinch of embarrassment after Pakistan unearthed heavy involvement of RAW in all its troubled regions. Likewise, India and its partners remain mum on wide scale terrorism going on within India.

Indo-Pakistan antagonism did not cause any anxiety to USA as long as US-Nato forces were keeping Afghan security situation within manageable limits and India was conducting subversion against Pakistan right under its nose. Once security conditions in Afghanistan deteriorated and Afghan Taliban gained an upper edge over occupation forces from 2008 onwards, US leaders started preaching peace between India and Pakistan. They are vainly trying to convince Pakistan that extremist forces and not India pose an existential threat. Pakistan is being continually pressed to shift bulk of its forces from eastern border towards western border to defeat terrorists and to forget about Indian threat. While giving verbal assurances, the US has not taken any practical steps to allay fears of Pakistanis nor has India brought any change in its attitude. US efforts are at best superficial and lack sincerity of purpose.

India at the cost of 70% poverty stricken people is spending large chunk of its budget on its military to enlarge and modernize its forces. Indian Army has 34 combat divisions, three armored divisions, seven independent armored brigades, five RAPID divisions, two airborne brigades, two artillery divisions, independent artillery brigades, over 200 nuclear bombs and wide variety of ballistic missiles. Besides, India has formidable air force and navy. Out of thirteen Corps, seven Indian Corps are poised against Pakistan. India refuses to shift its bias of military force away from its western border on the silly plea that it is vulnerable to terrorist threat from Pakistan. It has now deceptively expressed its readiness to shift some forces from occupied Kashmir under fond hope that it would impel Pakistan Army to shift its centre of attention towards FATA. Gen Deepak Kapoor is eagerly awaiting such a move so that his forces could exploit the imbalance at an opportune time.

India has become largest nest of terrorism where Hindu terrorists and insurgents are on a rampage. In all terrorist acts taking place from 2006 to 2008, in which 40-60% victims were Indian Muslims, Pakistan was blamed but it transpired later that Hindu terrorist groups duly patronized by RAW and Indian Army were responsible. Apart from Hindu terror, dozens of separatist and insurgent movements are raging in various parts of India and shaking the very foundations of Indian Union. All its nuclear and missile sites are located within the Red Corridor in eastern India where uncontrollable Maoist movement is reigning supreme. Indian Army is deeply involved in criminal activities including racism, arms and nuclear fissile material smuggling. These ground realities do not vex US and western leaders. Instead of declaring India as hub centre of terrorism and most dangerous country in the world, biased western leaders have given these titles to Pakistan and are hounding it under the mantra of do more. Pakistan has been taken for granted and made into a sacrificial lamb to cover up Indian subversive activities and to hide failures of US military in Afghanistan.

Successes achieved by Pakistan Army in Waziristan as opposed to dismal performance of US-Nato forces in Afghanistan have flummoxed our detractors. To cloud the spectacular achievements, US leaders have come out with absurd allegations that Osama led Al-Qaeda is based in FATA since 2002 and Mullah Omar led Afghan Shura is in Quetta. To overcome discomfiture of Helmand operation fiasco, frustrated Gordon Brown stated that Pakistan should highlight its military successes modestly. He forgets the exultations and megalomaniac behavior of Bush and Blair after occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. We have also not forgotten their exclamation 'we've got em' after Saddam was nabbed. Reality is that Pak Army is playing its part commendably without blowing trumpets. It is now the actors on other side of Durand Line who have to do a lot more. If Obama sincerely wants to soothe Indo-Pakistan antagonism and convert Pak-American relations into meaningful friendship, he and his cronies should come out of superficial mode, stop meddling into Pakistan affairs and earnestly work toward finding an amicable solution to Kashmir dispute.

- Asian Tribune -

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THE REAL FACE OF INDIA

The Dawn Media Group

Sparks fly as Bollywood, cricket and politics collide

MUMBAI: India's twin obsessions of cricket and Bollywood are at the heart of a bitter row that has broken out between the country's top film star and a radical right-wing party in the movie capital Mumbai, reports AFP.

Indian policemen try to restrain a Shiv Sena activists protesting outside Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan's residence, unseen, in Mumbai, India. -AP Photo

The dispute, which has seen the ultra Hindu-nationalist Shiv Sena party threatening to scupper the release of Shah Rukh Khan's latest blockbuster, has its roots in a diplomatic spat over the Indian Premier League (IPL).

No Pakistani player was bought by the eight IPL clubs during an auction last month for this year's edition of the Twenty20 cricket tournament, despite the Pakistan team being the reigning world champions in the format.

The perceived snub triggered widespread protests in Pakistan with effigies of IPL chief Lalit Modi being burnt on the streets of Lahore, condemnation from politicians and threats of boycotts from other Pakistani sports teams.

Khan, whose parents were born in what is now Pakistan and who co-owns one of the IPL franchises, the Kolkata Knight Riders, later said he regretted the controversy and supported the inclusion of Pakistani players.

"Pakistan is a great neighbour to have. We are great neighbours. They are good neighbours. Let us love each other," he said.

The Shiv Sena, a habitual source of anti-Pakistan rhetoric, reacted furiously to the comments.

"Shah Rukh should go to Pakistan if he wants to speak in favour of Pakistani players," said Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab, who led a demonstration outside Khan's Mumbai residence.

Activists in the party's power base of Mumbai tore down posters for the Muslim actor's upcoming film "My Name is Khan" and said they would target any cinema in India showing the movie unless he retracted his remarks.

Given the Shiv Sena's reputation for violence, the threat has been taken seriously by the state government of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital.

"Action will be taken against those who disrupt the screening of the movie. No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," a government statement said.

Multiplex owners said they would review security conditions before deciding on the number of screens to devote to the movie, which will be released on February 12.

"We will go ahead with the screening, but we will look at the situation as it develops. If additional security is required, we will take it," said a spokeswoman for INOX Leisure, which has cinemas in 21 Indian cities.

Devang Sampat, senior vice-president of marketing with Cinemax India, which operates 74 theatres in and around Mumbai, said they had yet to decide on screening the film.

"It is too early," Sampat said.

The Shiv Sena has a history of run-ins with the Bollywood film industry. In 1998, party activists ransacked theatres showing the lesbian-themed film "Fire" by acclaimed director Deepa Mehta, and a year later they launched a campaign against legendary Muslim Bollywood star Dilip Kumar after he was presented with Pakistan's highest civilian award.

Despite the Shiv Sena threats, Shah Rukh Khan has so far resolutely refused to apologise for backing the participation of Pakistani players in the IPL.

"As an Indian I'm not ashamed, guilty or unhappy about what I said, neither am I sorry," he said during a promotional tour in New York on Tuesday.

"You can only say what you believe in and stand by it," he added, while criticising the stance of the Shiv Sena as "unhealthy, undemocratic and insensitive."

In "My Name is Khan," the star actor plays an autistic Muslim man living in San Francisco who falls in love with a Hindu woman. The impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the relationship is one of the film's main themes.

Article Source : http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/culture/14-sparks-fly-as-bollywood-cricket-and-politics-collide-zj-03

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TRIAL OF CONCIENCE OR MOCKERY?

Dr Aafia: Media miss shock, horror, drama ...

Yvonne Ridley

New York : Dr Aafia Siddiqui is a bright, intelligent woman who has been through hell having being kidnapped, tortured in secret prisons, gunned down by US soldiers and renditioned to America where she is now facing attempted murder charges against those who shot her.

Only in the cock-eyed crosshairs of George W Bush's War on Terror could this happen and I hope to God that the jurors who will go through the evidence during the next few hours, if not days, see through this rotten legacy and recognise the case for what it is ... a tissue of lies enveloped in a web of deceit.

The last seven years of Dr Aafia's life could have been penned by a Hollywood scriptwriter, but instead all the folk from Tinsel Town could come up with was the rather tame blockbuster movie Rendition starring Reese Witherspoon.

But several days ago those of us following the case closely were given a glimpse into the dark, mysterious world in which Dr Aafia has been forced to live since 2003.

And more importantly the details were relayed in a hushed court not by any lawyer, but by the only person qualified to talk with any authority about dark prisons, interrogations and abuse - the account relayed to the courtroom in Manhattan, New York came from the mouth of Dr Aafia herself.

Running for more than two weeks there's been little or no record in the Western media of this shocking case other than some of the most ill-informed, embarrassingly skewed reports which indicate the noble profession of journalism is still in a narcotic malaise in the Big Apple.

That the New York Times had to apologise to its readers on the front page for selling them short on the build up to and the unfolding war in Iraq, one would have thought would have had an impact on the quality of future output.

That the US press corps, with the exception of The Baltimore Sun, had to play catch up after 'missing' the Abu Ghraib scandal speaks volumes.

Sadly it seems that huge swathes of the US media have learned nothing.

Just a few days ago an embarrassing wealth of riches in terms of soundbites which would have had most journalists salivating like a Pavlov Dog came tumbling out in the lower Manhattan court.

But like a gaggle of bald men fighting over a comb, the scribes present in the main courtroom could only focus on one irrelevant detail ... Dr Aafia Siddiqui had fired a pistol at a gun club. Excuse me? This is America ... where half the adult population live in houses where guns are kept. Let's keep it real - America has 80 million gun owners with a total of 258 million guns.

Possibly the most wronged woman in the entire War on Terror had just revealed how she was held in secret prisons, with no legal representation, cut off from the outside world since 2003 where brutal interrogation techniques were used to break her down. And, to make matters even worse when she was kidnapped from her home city in Karachi, Pakistan her three children were also snatched ... the fact two of those children are American citizens held no sway with the majority of the assembled press corps. One wondered if their pants had caught fire if they would have even smelled the smoke.

And so what held the Western media attention? Well, it transpired that Dr Aafia may have taken a pistol shooting course as part of her curriculum in an American university. That's a bit like an American tourist ordering fish and chips and a cup of tea on arrival in Britain. Hold the front page!

So for your benefit, let me tell you about the real "shock, horror, drama" that you won't read in the New York Times or the rest of the corporate media.

After two weeks of being baited and defamed, in a calm, articulate and precise manner Dr Aafia Siddiqui finally had her day - and her say - in court.

It should have been a moment of schadenfreude for the prosecution team as they prepared to sit back and enjoy the spectacle of the defendant rant and rave like a mad woman when she decided on her right to take the stand.

Perhaps Judge Richard Berman, a modest little man with much to be modest about, must have thought his rather unremarkable legal career would finally make more than just the current footnote in Wikipedia.

Most of her own legal team watched mortified in the belief that their reluctant client (she had dismissed them publicly many times to no effect) might destroy the robust defence they had built over two weeks.

Even her brother Muhammad, who has sat in court everyday watching and listening to the proceedings told me he wondered if his little sister was making the right decision.

Given the chance, I think I would have also advised her against speaking.

Well thank goodness Dr Aafia ignored us all - within minutes of giving evidence the prosecution wanted to shut her up, Judge Berman looked like he was sucking on the bitterest of lemons and the rest of the courtroom sat back aghast.

The Pakistan media, despatched into one of the two overspill rooms frantically scribbled down their notes so as not to miss one single word and her supporters sat back aghast watching a breathtaking spectacle.

One of the few community leaders who has been outstandingly vocal in his support, El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan, probably expressed himself better than any of the nitwits sleeping on the press benches when he wrote: "She testified that after completing her doctorate studies she taught in a school, and that her interest was in cultivating the capabilities of dyslexic and other special needs children.

"During this line of questioning, the monstrous image that the government had carefully crafted (with considerable support from mainstream media) of this petite young woman, had begun to be deconstructed. The real Dr Aafia Siddiqui - the committed muslimah, the humanity-loving nurturer and educator, the gentle yet resolute mujahid for truth and justice - began to emerge with full force".

As the evidence continued we learned that she didn't know where her three children were - it was sensational content. She talked of her dread and fear of being handed back to the Americans when she was arrested in Ghazni and was held by police.

Terrified that yet another secret prison was waiting for her she revealed how she peaked through the curtain into the part of the room where Afghans and Americans were talking, and how when a startled American soldier noticed her, he jumped up and yelled that the prisoner was loose, and shot her in the stomach. She described how she was also shot in the side by a second person. She also described how after falling back onto the bed in the room, she was violently thrown to the floor and lost consciousness.

This ties in exactly with what I was told by the counter terrorism police chief I interviewed in Afghanistan back in the autumn of 2008 - I remember him laughing as he told me how the US soldiers panicked, shot and most of them ran out of the room in a panic. Hmm, no wonder the prosecution didn't want him giving evidence in court.

Instead they chose to record his interview and voiced it over with a shoddy translator who has a long distance relationship with the Pashtu language ... defence team take note. Demand a real Pashtu translation because what was given out in court was misleading and not the words of the actual words of police chief - don't take my word for it ... speak to someone whose first language is Pashtu. it's hardly rocket science.

Of course there's no way a bunch of soldiers are going to admit they lost it, but according to those I interviewed for my film In search of Prisoner 650 in Afghanistan that's exactly what happened.

But let's return to Aafia and the cross examination which followed. When questioned on whether she had ever done any work with chemicals, her response was, "only when required."

As Mauri remarked: "This opening line of questioning was significant for its prejudice producing potential in the minds of jurors. While Aafia is not being charged with any terrorism conspiracy counts, the threat of terrorism has been the pink elephant in the room throughout this troubling case!"

The prosecutor attempted to draw a sinister correlation between Aafia and her now ex-husband being questioned by the FBI in 2002, and leaving the US a week later. Aafia noted that there wasn't anything sinister about the timing; they had already planned to make that trip home before the FBI visit. To underscore this point, she noted how she later returned to the US to attempt to find work in her field.

Mauri said one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the cross-examination was when Dr Aafia described how she was briefly re-united with a young boy in Ghazni (July 2008) who could have been her oldest son. She spoke of how she was mentally in a daze at that time, and had not seen any of her children in five years. As a result she could not definitively (then or now) determine if that was indeed her son, Ahmed.

When asked whether she had incriminating documents in her possession on the day she was arrested, Aafia testified that the bag in her possession on the day that she was re-detained was given to her. She didn't know what was in the bag, nor could she definitively determine if the handwriting on some of the documents was hers or not. She also mentioned on a number of occasions (to the chagrin of the prosecutor) how she was repeatedly tortured by her captors at Bagram.

But the killer blow was delivered when Dr Aafia mildly challenged the prosecutor in a calm, crystal clear voice that was heard throughout her testimony: "You can't build a case on hate; you should build it on fact!"

There were other sensation moments and revealing testimony and if anyone thought that she hated Americans she removed that idea from their minds when she talked of the "fake Americans, not real Americans" who held and tortured her in the secret prisons. They were fake, she explained because real Americans would not behave in such a way to bring shame on their country.

We also discovered how she was instructed to translate and copy something from a book while she was secretly imprisoned. During the course of this testimony which repeatedly drew the ire of an increasingly frustrated prosecutor, Aafia noted how she can now understand how people can be framed (for crimes they are not guilty of).

It all got too much for Judge Berman who ordered a brief recess.

The plan to goad and incite Dr Aafia to perform some incomprehensible, demonic rant had back-fired.

When testimony resumed, we learned through the star witness how she was often forced-fed information from one group of persons at the secret prison, and then made to regurgitate the same information before a different group of inquisitors. While it was presented to her as a type of "game," she revealed of how she would be "punished" if she got something wrong.

Now, more than ever, this trial should be brought to an end. And if Judge Berman wants to go down in history for punctuating his lack lustre career as a member of the judiciary for standing up in the cause of truth and justice now is the time to do it.

The truth will out and the US Government's case has been exposed for what it is ... a sham.

And it is a fitting tribute to the endurance of Dr Aafia, mother-of-three, that the sham has been exposed by her.

Let's see justice being carried out in 500 Pearl Street in lower Manhattan tomorrow. Over to you, your Honour Judge Berman.

Award-winning investigative Yvonne Ridley and award-winning film-maker Hassan al Banna Ghani produced the documentary In Search of Prisoner 650 about the mysterious Grey Lady of Bagram who they conclude is Dr Aafia Siddiqui. Yvonne Ridley is also a patron of the human rights organisation Cageprisoner which first raised the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui shortly after she went missing in March 2003. A full report on the court proceedings can be seen on the website www.cageprisoners.com

Article Source : http://www.opinion-maker.org/navigation.do?mode=showArticles&id=1284

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US Jury Finds Dr Aafia Guilty

A Pakistan News

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has been proven guilty by American court and all the allegations on Aafia have been proved.

The federal district court in New York under the Judge Richard Berman and 11 other members of the jury conducted the hearing on the case for twelve days;where as eight women were members of the jury.

The biggest allegation against her was attempting to murder US agents with an army rifle and shot at the US agents while she was detained for questioning in Afghanistan. None of the Americans were injured but Aafia, was shot. Nine witnesses were presented to the jury of whom six were present in the room at the time of shooting. American army Captain Schnieder and Afghan national police officer Bahsir were present during the case.

A lawyer fighting her case said that Aafia would appeal for a review of the verdict since the decision was unfair. He also said that there was no allegation on Aafia being linked to any act of terrorism however the jury tried to establish a connection between Aafia and terrorist organization.

Aafia reacted violently to the verdict and said that the American system of justice is not fair. She said that the decision has been taken by Israel.

Emotions will not help the case, says Dr. Aslam

American journalist Dr Aslam Abdullah said that Dr Aafia's supporter should control their emotions. Emotions will not help the case. Pakistan government will not take any action. The government has sold the country and it is due to the criminal negligence of the government that today Pakistan is confronting so many challenges.

Aslam also said that he has expectations from Human right groups. However the human rights groups cannot influence on the decision but can contribute positively towards the review of the case. Support for terrorism by some groups in Pakistan has been a factor that Aafia has been proven guilty.

Aslam aslo pointed that "No one spoke clearly on Aafia and sketchy details were presented regarding her family and her education".

Aslam said the Pakistani government will not do anything to help in the review of the case. He said that he cannot make any comments on how to prove Aafia's innocence since he is not a lawyer or a politician.

We will not ask for mercy from Non Muslims, says Fauzia Siddiqui

Dr Fauzia siddiqui said to the media that "We are agreeing with the will of the Allah". "Allah wanted to show to the world that American justice system is weak and corrupt". She said that "This is the beginning of the end for America". Fauzia said that Government lawyer did not contacted her since the verdict has been announced. She said that "We prayed to Allah and thanked him."

Answering to a question she said that "I would have been satisfied by the government efforts if Aafia would have been here standing next to me since she is not here so I am not satisfied with the government." She also said that we continue our fight. Our morale is high. Dr. Fauzia was refered to several Quran verses.

I am thankful to the media, says Aafia's mother

Aafia mother was smiling. She said that she is very happy and proud on the role of the media, she is also happy that her daughter has been chosen to slap on face of America. She claimed that "Today would mark the beginning of American downfall". Aafia's requested all to stay calm and said not to protest on the roads and appealed not to cause any damage to public or private property. Although the world may assume that we would be in a somber mood but I have attained new strength after this decision.

She repeatedly said that "Write my words that the decline of America starts today". I knew the decision in advance. She also said that "If the government would have acted responsibly then we would have not seen this day."

Aafia's mother also said that "I am thankful to the entire nation." "I have trained Aafia that she would never lose hope or faith". Aafia will never bow to the non Muslim demands. She accused Hussain Hakkani of making fake claims on Aafia's return. She said that Allah would take revenge from Shah Mahmood. She also said that "We would not ask for mercy from non Muslims".

Failure of foreign policy to be blamed, says Talha Mahmood

Senator Talha Mahmood said that only foreign policy is to be blamed. He said that "I do not think its not a good message from America. Demands of justice have not been full filled. Highest form delegations should be sent to USA and present a strict stance to the US government. He said that US and NATO image would not improve. Talha also said that delegations have been formed in the past as well but there were no results. The case has not been politicized entirely but the main flaw was in handling the case. All witnesses have been favoring Aafia but the decision was pre decided. Trial was just a fake show. The world has witnessed the poor American justice. Hakkani did not take up the issue seriously and I cannot comment as to what he did. Pak has made big sacrifices and no one has given these sacrifices. The nation would not accept this gift of the America.

Article Source : http://www.apakistannews.com/us-jury-finds-dr-aafia-guilty-160146

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Can India be a great power?

By Dr Haider Mehdi

It was Mahatma Gandhi who once said: "Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." Centuries before Gandhi, the Roman poet Virgil had stated: "Anger carries the mind away." Pietro Aretino, the 15th century Italian author, categorically defined "anger" as an anti-intellect human emotion: "Angry men are blind and foolish…" Aretino declared. Modern social-psychology claims that anger is an emotional risk in communication, both in understanding it and in the process of communicating.

Many many Hindu Indians are angry - very very angry. This happened after this writer's article Is India a Great Power? appeared in The Nation of January 26, when they unleashed a barrage of offensive emails and inconsistent political counter-attacks devoid of logical arguments or reason. And yet, the overall effect of this hostile reaction has provided the opportunity to once again make the point that has been completely lost on Indian observers, foreign policy makers, political gurus, neo-con pundits and some readers of the said article - pure anger has replaced reasonable understanding!

Let us go back to some fundamental ground realities: Yes, India is a massively large country. Yes, it is an enormous economy. Yes, India's foreign exchange reserves are tremendous. Yes, India has a high profile in the eyes of the US and the Western world in the present geopolitical environment.

But the question is, does all that make India capable of being a great world power? More specifically, the question becomes vitally important when India's entire march "forward" is in the context of a socio-economic-geopolitical "status-quo" imposed globally by the US-West's notion of ideological capitalism and hegemonic military-political imperialist doctrine. India is striving to find its place in global leadership "within the box," imaging "great power" status precisely on the US-West's lines. India's fire-power and military ferocity (as claimed in wiping out China and Pakistan in a matter of four hours) is not exactly what will make it a "great power." Thinking so is a paralysis of its political mindset inconsistent with the present day needs of the masses all over the world - and particularly so to the majority of the Indian population living below the poverty line. And that is precisely where the problem lies.

Consider the seductive psychological treatment meted out to India's consciousness in the last decade or so. Supposedly, India is in the forefront of a so-called cultural renaissance, jump-started by the US-West's incessant "hail India" media-propelled intoxication: After Hollywood, Bollywood is the unquestioned entertainment leader of the world (is film entertainment the opium of the starving poverty-stricken masses of India?) Cricket - yes, India is the world leader (it has turned a "gentlemen's" game into money-making scams truly in the precise image of "Mafioso-ism"- hasn't it?) And the list goes on of Western capitalism's unholy encroachments on the moral-social-spiritual fibre of the Indian society. Isn't this entire phenomenon of "India First Now" a part of the manipulative US-West's political strategy? When seductive pleasure is over, India will certainly get a wake-up call to the harsh realities of its sad existence. For India, the cruel truth is that it has a poverty-stricken disfranchised population.

Let us be fair enough in conceding the fact that Pakistan has made a mess of its country in the last six decades and is continuing to do so presently as well. And it is here, in this admission of a factual ground reality, that the crux of my argument lies for India's future politics: a vitally important reason for Pakistan's 60 years of a continued political abyss is in the Pakistani ruling elite's love affair with the US. This alliance with the US-West's global, ideological, military and political objectives and goals has driven Pakistan to its present state. Unfortunately, India is heading in the same direction now with its recently found love affair with the US.

This does not mean that America is an evil nation. But it is quite certainly an evil empire. The problem lies fundamentally with the American ideological foundations: Capitalism thrives on the basis of worldwide military conflicts, political domination and economic exploitation of other nation's resources as well as subtle control of their political leaderships and elite ruling groups. In modern times, media and psychological manipulations have taken a central role in this process of penetrating in the decision-making structures of Third World countries. It empowers the US-West and thereby to intervene and to influence political outcomes in favour of themselves, as well as benefiting a select group of local elites in several of these nations. Pakistan has been a victim of this exploitive process and now India stands at the verge of falling into the same trap.

The angry Indians should understand that once a nation is hooked up to this kind of seductive US-West's strategy and diplomacy, then there is no exit from this route. It slowly and gradually leads to social disharmony widening gaps between the rich and poor. The masses remain deprived, marginalised and helpless - hypnotised by a scandalous view of "greatness" seduced by media blitzes and tall grandiose nationalist claims.

At the present stage of human civilisation, masses all over the world no more aspire to imperial grandeurs, neither do they identify with the glorious empires. They do not want wars, military conflicts, skyscrapers in urban centres, lofty ideals and claims of unprecedented military power capabilities to wipe out other nations and their innocent people in a matter of minutes.

I would assume, and it seems a reasonable supposition, that common Indians, all of them, wish to see an India that would take care of their gloomy and undoubtedly difficult existence, wipe out their deprivations and sufferings of poverty, disease, un-wellness, socio-cultural disorders, sociological disparities and ever-waning hopes of a truly socio-cultural renaissance. I would also assume that the majority of Indians would prefer peace, stability, and prosperity over war, instability and lingering poverty.

The US-West's eduction and ideological romance with India will not deliver any of the above for its masses. Ideological "capitalism" is simply not compatible with the needs of the present day world and is not able to offer resolutions to the suffering masses problematics.

Why doesn't India espouse a visionary dream of a new world order and become an important global player to achieve a political entity for itself as a modern spiritual state that places pre-eminence to the masses welfare above and beyond a notion of a "Great Empire"?

Why doesn't it think of its future as a nation of "saints" and moral spiritual sagas; a nation of peace - and moral high ground - a neighbour worthy of an emulative model of true human emancipation? After all, in spiritualism, that is how "greatness" is defined. Isn't it?

That is the question I wish to pose to these angry Indians!

After all, India has the potentials: Wasn't India the champion of the "Non-Aligned Movement"?

Perhaps, these angry Indians never carefully listened to Mahatma Gandhi! They certainly didn't! It was Mahatma who once said: "Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding."

The writer is an academic, political analyst and conflict-resolution expert.

Pakistan army has broken the back of TTP

Pakistan Daily

U.S.Central Command chief Gen David Petraeus lauding the Pakistan Army successes in Malakand and South Waziristan regions said that Pakistani Taliban are no longer in possession of the tools of terror that they once had in their eastern South Waziristan stronghold.

"Well, I don't know that you would characterize it as having defeated the TTP and/or the other elements that are associated with the Pakistani Taliban. But they have certainly set them back very considerably," he answered while speaking at a US Think Tank when asked if Pakistan has completely defeated the militant movement.

Gen. Petraeus told a gathering of experts at the Institute for the Study of War that it is important that Pakistan's vital anti-terror strides are recognized.

The Centcom leader noted with appreciation that the Pakistani army has cleared and held Swat Valley, Swat District, the Malakand Division of Northwest Frontier Province and has conducted important operations in Bajaur, Mohmand, and Khyber in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

"And then most recently, of course, about three or four months ago, launched an important operation in eastern South Waziristan, the tribal areas controlled by the extremist element that was led by the former Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in the Fata last year, a very important action. And that has put considerable pressure on, again, the Pakistani Taliban and some of its affiliates."

In his appraisal, Petraeus noted a strong public backing for Pakistan's anti-militant operations that emerged following the Taliban's challenge to writ of the government in Swat valley.

"It has been, I think, of enormous importance that we recognize this important development because until about ten months ago, I think there was generally an assertion by a number in Pakistan that the Pakistani military was being coerced into fighting the U.S. War on Terror," he said, according to a transcript of the discussion available Tuesday.

He also acknowledged the fact that in dealing with the massive task of clearing and holding an area in the mountainous region and then rebuilding the conflict-hit areas, the available resources remain limited.

"The Pakistani Army and the Frontier Corps have carried out really quite impressive counter-insurgency operations. There are certainly limitations in the resources available to them. There are limitations in the governmental agencies and resources that they can bring to the rebuilding effort because, of course, it's not just clear and leave, it's clear, hold, and build, and even transition. And again, the Pakistani military's approach has been quite impressive.

"So I think all in all, they have shown quite a facility for carrying out these operations, a recognition that you have to hang onto what you fought to clear. You know, the act of taking over that area of eastern South Waziristan, where there was so much infrastructure that contained explosives, IED factories, car bomb factories, and arms and ammunition storage sites, and planning locations, training facilities, all the rest of that-that's not in their hands now, in TTP's hands.'

At the same time, the general remarked that the Pakistani fight against militancy is work in progress and additional pressure on other organizations will be helpful to the overall effort.

"So this has been a very significant development, but again, very much a work in progress, to be sure."

Article Source : http://www.daily.pk/pakistan-army-has-broken-the-back-of-ttp-15345/

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India sidelined at London Conference on Afghanistan

Pakistan Daily

There is only one sentence to describe Bharati (aka Indian) attendance in the London conference on Afghanistan-"Bharat was addded as an afterthought, and after much yelling and screaming by Delhi".

Islamabad believes India is looking to Afghanistan for destabilising Pakistan

Delhi was reluctantly invited to the London conference, but it might as well have not been invited. All its objections have been overruled. Bharat did not want the Taliban to be included in the Kabul government.

It has been.

Pakistan has repeatedly brought the world's attention to Bharati Consulates who have been sponsoring terror in Pakistan. Bharat faces a hostile crowd. Pakistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan have already decided on the agenda, and it has been blessed by the US, the UN, Japan, China and the UK. There are leaked copies of the final resolution already published on various internet sites, including the Iranian Press TV site.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully mobilised the defunct six-plus-two talks formula to counter the US pressure regarding giving India a "greater role" in warn-torn Afghanistan's rehabilitation.Pakistan acts to counter Indian influence in Afghanistan By Sajjad Malik

Afghanistan's immediate neighbours - Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the US, are meeting today (Tuesday) in Turkey to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and to take stock of measures for the restoration of peace in the country.

The original "six-plus-two" also included Russia, but in the new set up Moscow representation has been replaced by the United Kingdom.

The Chinese foreign minister and senior officials from Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan will attend the conference, which will also be attended by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke's deputy, Paul Jones.

Diplomatic sources said Pakistan has been lobbying for the renewal of talks among Afghanistan's neighbours in order to foil Indian designs of gaining a foothold on Afghan soil.

Pakistan believes India is not an immediate neighbour of Afghanistan and therefore should have limited role in the country.

Turkey has been asked to convene the meeting, as it enjoys the backing and trust of Pakistan and is accepted as a neutral party for promoting a common approach to the conflict. The conference will urge regional players to work together in order to stabilise Afghanistan and the region.

The revival of the talks group has come at a crucial juncture - on Thursday, around 50 nations will be meeting at the London Conference to discuss the Afghan issue and deliberate on measures to help the war-ravaged nation.

The organisers of the London Conference, like the US, are trying to convince Pakistan on accepting the greater Indian role in Afghanistan.

Destabilisation: "It is not possible for us to give India a role in Afghanistan as it is using Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan. Also, India has been traditionally aligned with Russia and played a part in the destruction of Afghanistan," sources said. They said the last meeting of the six-plus-two group was held before the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban had agreed to give 80 percent of representation in the Afghan government to the Northern Alliance. "Since then, fortunes have reversed and the Taliban have lost the government. Now the six-plus-two group will try to pave the way for the participation of the Taliban in the new government," sources said.

The coalition forces badly need breathing space in Afghanistan following a deadly 2009, in which the force lost at least 504 soldiers, including 305 US and 108 British troops. Sources said US-led forces were giving a thought to Pakistan's viewpoint on the Afghan conflict, an idea substantiated by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' statement during a recent visit to Pakistan that said that Washington was with Pakistan and supported its efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

The presence of both the UK and the US at the Turkish initiative speaks volumes about their interest in a regional solution.

Bharat will try to brag about the so called $1.3 Billion has has spent/wasted on Afghanistan. Most of the money Delhi spent was actually went into the pockets of Bharati contractors from Bharat.

India will not complicate the US's diplomacy in Islamabad by seeking any role in the build-up of the Afghan armed forces or police… Nor is Delhi inclined to raise dust about US plans regarding the "reintegration and reconciliation" of the Taliban. The Indian position was dogmatic but nuances have crept in. This is partly tactical, as it is clear Indian opposition will not stall the process of integrating the Taliban into Afghan political life. Ambassador Bhadrakumar.

Much to the chagrin of Delhi, the Americans are fully supportive of including the Pakistani brokered peace between the Taliban and the government of Mr. Hamid Karzai. The only silver lining that Bharat can hope to see is possible support from Iran (which also is apprehensive of Taliban government in Kabul). pkkh

Article Source : http://www.daily.pk/india-sidelined-at-london-conference-on-afghanistan-15393/

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