Pakistan,India And The USA.
By Rummuser. Filed in Uncategorized |
I know, I know that I get very serious when I talk about this one subject and some of my readers get quite put off with my line of thinking. This occasion however is too good a one not to let my Western readers see for themselves what has been obvious for Indians for more than half a century.
This morning’s Times of India carried two gems. The first one is an article datelined Washington about Ms. Hillary Clinton’s latest visit to Pakistan where for the first time ever, any official from the USA told some home truths to the Pakistani establishment, students and media. You can read all about it here and also the BBC report on the same subject.
In the same issue of the Times Of India, a cartoon by our Iconic cartoonist, R K Laxman, which was published on August 12, 1957, yes, 1957, FIFTY SIX YEARS AGO,, has been re-published. It showed Pakistani establishment for what it was and what it was then continues to be the same even today. It gives me great pleasure to reproduce that cartoon here from a fellow Punekar as a tribute to his incisiveness then and today.
Pakistan’s establishment has depended on external aid for its existence and mismanagement of its economy for all these years, and when it goes with a begging bowl in its hands to borrow money, it resents the conditions that the lenders lay in terms of how the money is to be spent. It may interest my readers to see what Reuters had to say about Pakistan’s economy just over a month ago. Ms. Clinton, has apparently handled such petulance with aplomb and has for the first time in the history of the complicated relations between the three countries, delinked India from Pakistani obsession in discussions and assurances given.
Pakistani army was most reluctant to take on the Taliban and the Al Quida citing threat from India as the reason for not deploying their troops for the task. India has never been the aggressor in any of the wars that have been faught between the two countries, and on being pointed this out and nudged strongly by the Americans, Pakistan has taken on the Taliban and after all these days of their engagement, there has been no movement of any kind from the Indian side. Pakistan, seems to be obsessed that India wants it destroyed. It is not in India’s interest that this happens. In any case, Pakistan itself is quite capable of destroying itself, as has been amply proved time and again. The latest instances of bombings and suicide attacks are proof enough and with Iran making noises from Pakistan’s western borders, the real inside stories about ISI is now becoming quite obvious to the world.
Interestingly enough, ex President George Bush, who is considered by many as being responsible for turning Indo American relations into a better one during his term in office, was in India on a lecture tour to Delhi and Mumbai. His visit however has been a low key one due to the very obvious security concerns, but he has addressed India’s leadership on many issues. From all accounts, his visit has been a grand success.
We are living in interesting times indeed.
Monday, November 2nd 2009 at 11:50 |
I agree about the interesting times.
Are you concerned about China at all? I’ve read that tensions between your countries are increasing. Does your media mention that very much?
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 18:33
Yes, I am concerned about China but for different reasons. We have a border problem with them, inhertied from British demarcation at the time of Independence. It is nothing that cannot be settled and we are well on our way to do exactly that. We have serious trade relations with China and neither would want to jeopardize that. We also have the Dalai Lama and his followers from Tibet, residing in India, a source of considerable irritation to China. I am afraid, this is one problem for which a solution in the short term appears difficult to find.
Monday, November 2nd 2009 at 17:54 |
What is so very interesting too is that, despite the world contracting, we know so little about the intricacies of politics of many countries far away. And, because there are only 24 hours in the day in which to study anything at depth, we largely have to rely on what newspapers and broadcasters choose to feed us in small soundbites.
Ramana, I wish I could give you pearls of wisdom, comfort, hope from my perspective over here. I can’t. You live in an entirely different world. And, in my heart of hearts, I often think America (and other countries’ governments) meddle too much in affairs that are not theirs. But that’s another subject.
Jean’s reference to China made me smile: I remember a time – still a child – when we were warned about the “yellow danger” overrunning the rest of the world any moment now. Luckily the Chinese government was considerate enough to introduce the concept of the ‘little emperor’ (ie one child families). Still, as a precaution, my youngest sister – always pragmatic – chose Chinese as one of her subjects at university.
U
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 18:30
Now you have to worry about Islam overtaking Europe and possibly the USA as per this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0U5Kw57iv4
I earnestly urge you to watch it fully.
Monday, November 2nd 2009 at 19:00 |
Ramana I was actually reading about that situ in the wee small hours today, unable to sleep I caught up on my news feeds. Through your blogging, we are all learning about India and somehow it does not seem so far away.
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 18:27
Things are getting from bad to worse every day there. Not a day passes by without a suicide bomber blowing himself and a lot of others with him to smitereens and hurting a lot of others too. These guys are fighting non believers I believe!
Grannymar Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 18:36
It has haunting reminders of years of murder and mayhem here in Northern Ireland, but here it was all done in a cowardly way. The bombers made sure, for the most part, that they were well out of the way when the explosions happened. So called ‘Religion’ was used by both sides an an excuse for murder.
Rummuser Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 19:21
Yes, that was cowardly. Here, just imagine the courage it takes to commit suicide for a cause! What insanity is that?
Grannymar Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 19:30
Ramana, It is indeed insanity. How many so called heroes came back to tell us about the ‘wonderful reward’ that they were promised?
Monday, November 2nd 2009 at 23:41 |
According to whispers and rumors of whomever, China could foreclose on their loan to the US, just to take it over. I can see it now, instead of being stamped “Made In China”, it will be stamped “Made In China’s USA”. LOL Very interesting post. Sometimes I think politicians use the people’s fears to accomplish their agendas. I’m following a young Pakistan woman’s blog, she’s 21 and a student. She’s only written 3 posts, which are about her insights into her country and family. I am so touched by her comments. At 21, I don’t feel she knows about joy, yet I can’t point to any one word or phase that makes me think this. See Ramana, your post is really thought provoking! Hope you have a good day!
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 18:25
You should read Dawn of Karachi online as I do regularly. They are totally honest and brave to write the way do about Pakistan.
Yes, we have a problem with China too, and with trade between the two countries being very high, we are sure that sooner than later, we shall settle to be good neighbours. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not pragmatic enough.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 at 04:48 |
I’m glad George Bush got one thing right. As far as I can tell that’s the only thing he did right in his 8 years of destroying our country as well as Iraqs. (In different ways, of course.)
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 15:57
I dare not comment Darlene.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 at 09:14 |
Very thought provoking. I agree with Ursula. We know so little about the intracasies of international politics. Heck, I am having a time just keeping track of US politics at the moment.
I really appreciate the opportunity to read your posts and to learn from them.
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 15:57
That is the problem. Our leaders do so many clandestine things that till these come to the knowledge of the public at large, much damage has already been done.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 at 09:50 |
Thanks for your insights, Ramana!
Namaste,
Diane
Rummuser Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 15:55
My pleasure Diane. Namaste to you too.