News Analysis |
The United States has once again asked Pakistan to change its approach toward terrorism while calling upon BRICS to continue playing a positive role in regional and international stability. The recently concluded BRICS summit issued the Xiamen Declaration in which the 5-nation body called for an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan. Most glaringly, the declaration named militant organizations allegedly supported by Pakistan, much to the delight of New Delhi.
“We encourage the BRICS Forum to contribute constructively to global governance and stability,” said a spokesperson for the US State Department while calling upon Pakistan to take decisive and indiscriminate action against all militant groups in South Asia.
The Xiamen Declaration had named Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Muhammad as perpetrators of violence in the region. Many analysts have said that even China has silently indicated Islamabad’s complicity in regional terrorism.
The spokesperson said, “As the (Trump) administration has said, Pakistan must change its approach. We look to the Pakistani government to take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that is a threat to the region.”
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The Xiamen Declaration had named Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Muhammad as perpetrators of violence in the region. Many analysts have said that even China has silently indicated Islamabad’s complicity in regional terrorism. However, China may have tacitly approved the declaration owing to tactical reasons related to support for BRICS Plus. Moreover, Pakistan has already banned the named organizations, hence there is nothing new in the declaration.
Pak-US ties have been negatively affected by the announcement of the new policy last month. After a unified rejection of the allegations leveled by Trump, the US toned down its tirade with General Mattis requesting Islamabad’s cooperation and US envoy assuring the country of its importance.
Read more: India thrilled over BRICS statement on terrorism,…
Timing
The State Department has once again called on Islamabad to change its approach primarily on behest of BRICS having seemingly ratified the stance of the Trump administration. More than the content, the timing of the declaration plays in India’s and US’ favor. After being embroiled in a potentially dangerous standoff at Doklam which ended days before the summit, it was expected that tensions between India and China would mar the conference but it didn’t happen.
According to various pundits, this declaration will certainly strengthen Trump’s hand against Pakistan. However, there are reasons which compel many to analyze that this isn’t likely to affect Sino-Pak ties. One that China might have used this as a ploy to woo India for its BRICS Plus proposal.
Moreover, China and Russia had resisted the inclusion of LET and JM in the GOA Summit last year, so India considers it a great breakthrough. India has another reason to be elated which pertains to China’s full fledged support to Pakistan over Trump new Afghan policy. India seemingly is chuffed because it dissuaded China from accentuating Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
Read more: Can BRICS help India and China mend…
According to various pundits, this declaration will certainly strengthen Trump’s hand against Pakistan. However, there are reasons which compel many to analyze that this isn’t likely to affect Sino-Pak ties. One that China might have used this as a ploy to woo India for its BRICS Plus proposal. Two that the China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) is way too important for China’s OBOR. Hence, Beijing cannot twist Islamabad’s arm for a foreseeable future. If anything, Pakistan, China and other regional countries including Russia are most likely to confront the new South Asia policy promulgated by the US.