News analysis |
Amid ever-simmering tensions between India and Pakistan, the Foreign Office has said that India cannot ensure peace and stability in the region while it continues to be involved in state-sponsored terrorism. The remarks were made by spokesman Nafees Zakaria as he alluded to the new US South Asia policy in which Trump has asked India to play a lead role in Afghanistan.
Rex Tillerson asked India to mend ties with Pakistan but given the fact that the US, by openly supporting Delhi’s narrative against Pakistan has left little incentive for it to improve ties with Islamabad
“The extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other such organizations are already influencing the Indian judiciary’s decisions at this time while the Indian army is lending its support to the RSS as well,” Zakaria said. “There are unresolved issues on a wide range of matters that India has with various countries, which is why it cannot be expected to maintain peace in the region.”
Pakistan’s top security body on Thursday also expressed its reservations regarding Trump’s offer to India in regards to peace efforts in Afghanistan. The NSC statement read: “India cannot be a net security provider in the South Asia region when it has conflictual relationships with all its neighbors and is pursuing a policy of destabilizing Pakistan from the east and the west.”
Pakistan’s main apprehensions in Afghanistan are those pertaining to India, for it fears that India will trap Islamabad. Trump’s invitation to India to shoulder responsibilities in Afghanistan will not only ramp up regional tensions but will also give a new momentum to the already-hostile ties between India and Pakistan.
Islamabad has effectively evicted sanctuaries from its soil; remnants are being supported by the joint efforts of India’s R&AW and Afghan NDS
Mr. Zakaria reiterated the spirit of the NSC meeting. While rejecting the US allegations and expounding upon Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terror, Zakaria also assured that Islamabad would pander to its national interests. He said: “No other country in the world has made the kind of sacrifices that Pakistan has had to make in the fight against terrorism.”
The rivalry festers
Pakistan has pointed out to Indian subversive activities inside Afghanistan which are chiefly responsible for what terrorism is left in Pakistan
Much to the chagrin of Islamabad, Delhi has been asked to ratchet up its efforts in Afghanistan. This is precisely what Pakistan has been resisting over the years. Analysts have thus expressed concerns on Trump’s sudden offer to India since it will certainly make Pakistan uneasy. Pakistan has pointed out to Indian subversive activities inside Afghanistan which are chiefly responsible for what terrorism is left in Pakistan.
Islamabad has effectively evicted sanctuaries from its soil; remnants are being supported by the joint efforts of India’s R&AW and Afghan NDS. However, apart from one or two statements by intelligence officials, the US considers the actuality of Indian threats as a hoax.
Trump’s invitation to India to shoulder responsibilities in Afghanistan will not only ramp up regional tensions but will also give a new momentum to the already-hostile ties between India and Pakistan
India expectedly has welcomed Trump’s speech. However, they have shown much more enthusiasm over his diatribes against Pakistan. The statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs read: “We welcome President Trump’s determination to enhance efforts to overcome the challenges facing Afghanistan and confronting issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists. India shares these concerns and objectives.” Delhi expects the US to follow up on these threats in shape of strikes on Pakistan.
Rex Tillerson asked India to mend ties with Pakistan but given the fact that the US, by openly supporting Delhi’s narrative against Pakistan has left little incentive for it to improve ties with Islamabad.