State-to-state relations are predominantly grounded in
interests and/or
shared objectives.
Do you think that Americans threaten us to accept their aid or else?
- Who requested loans from IMF? (Pakistani government)
- With whose permission, organizations like USAID operate in Pakistan? (Pakistani government)
- Why military establishment does not refuses American (military) aid? (such aid is used to buy arms and fund operations)
The aid we received from time-to-time was sufficient to sustain our needs and/or overhead expenses from time-to-time accordingly. Please keep in mind that grants are free but loans are to be repaid, and there should be a limit to how much we should borrow from others. We should strive for economic independence at any cost.
We haven't done anything extraordinary for the Americans so far, I'm afraid; we cooperated with them in the matters of Afghanistan because this was in our interest as well (each time). We desire a Afghanistan that is not hostile to our interests in the region. War on Terror granted us the perfect opportunity to eradicate all hostile elements in the region (local and foreign) and invest in neglected provinces such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our sacrifices for such a cause are not in vain and neither they should be construed as our services to the Americans.
Interaction with Americans is in our interests, my friend. This is my focal point. We simply cannot afford enmity with the US. A (friendly) US is
absolutely necessary for CPEC to succeed. China cannot save us, should things go south.
Look at North Korea. Fancy it as our future? (Even with extraordinary Chinese backing, North Korea is a failed state)
Or
Look at South Korea. Fancy it as our future? (South Korea is on friendly terms with both US and China)
India
Contrary to popular belief, India adopted
non-aligned stance during the Cold War era and officially joined this club in 1983. India was interested in forging a constructive relationship with both superpowers of the time. On the other hand, US had a soft corner for India since the latter's independence because US perceived it as an emerging market worth tapping at some point in the future; an assessment that is boring fruit in current times.
You assert that India is the top recipient of USAID but you overlooked another fact that China is relatively a much larger trading partner of India than Pakistan (in the terms of volume of exports and/or imports) in-spite of geopolitical friction between them. India is a huge economy and market, and cannot be ignored. Time to embrace this new reality (or) should we put forth a condition to China that they seize all trading activity with India if they want CPEC? Do you think China will entertain such a condition?
You sure about that?
UK is a small country and already hosts a huge Muslim community; there is a limit to how many more it can accommodate. On the other hand, US is a huge country and welcomes immigration. Pakistani people are migrating to US in greater numbers than ever before, a fact brought to our attention by US census bureau itself.
FYI:
http://www.dawn.com/news/732915/pakistanis-are-second-fastest-growing-race-in-us-says-report
Do you know the terms and conditions of that pact?
Here are some details:
http://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/604775
Do you see call for arms against CPEC initiative in the aforementioned disclosure?
I will explain to you what this game is all about. India is the largest importer of arms in the world at present. It is logical for American arms industry to tap this market and score some major deals there. To make this possible, US needs to forge a closer working relationship with
Indian military establishment. In this manner, Americans would be able to convince Indian military to buy American arms without major concerns. US is willing to sell India its state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft and also offered India to manufacture F-16 aircraft domestically. These are serious offers, my friend.
The shift to alternate sources of energy
Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind is making progress at a pace that was not possible in earlier times. Our way of life, business ethics and Industrial operations have changed a lot from the past and will change a lot in coming years. My area of expertise is Management Sciences, so mark my words.
Just 10 years ago, electric automobiles were mere prototypes and hardly anybody felt that they would become mainstream. Now, electric automobiles are poised to become mainstream and replace other cars on the roads worldwide.
Yes, the pace of shift to alternate sources of energy would vary from country to country but it will eventually happen. China is also taking steps towards this direction because this is the only way forward. Chinese solar energy related experiments are an example. Recently, China has granted Tesla permission to open a major factory in the country.
Why oil prices declined?
Oil prices weren't manipulated; they fell due to decline in demand of oil. US, in particular, significantly reduced its oil imports in recent years. Exorbitant oil prices drove US out of Iraq and fueled inflation in many countries (including Pakistan).
Russian economy took a hit due to sanctions imposed on it by the US due to its intervention in Ukraine.
Yes, economy of ME largely depends upon oil exports at present. However, ME states are also waking-up and exploring ways to diversify their economic activities. For example, UAE is marketing itself as a major tourist spot in the region.
Even Saudi Arabia is recognizing the importance of establishing domestic industry and less reliance on oil exports to sustain its economy in the near future. FYI:
http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/employment-and-growth/moving-saudi-arabias-economy-beyond-oil
The China factor
Chinese oil imports continue to fluctuate, not consistently growing. Even if the over-all demand of oil has increased in China with passage of time, it can offer temporary relief to OPEC in this regard. China wants to tap ME markets and CPEC is the shortest route to ME.
See above
My argument is that a friendly (US) is really important for CPEC to succeed; militarization of CPEC would not address our issues. Look at the example of North Korea. God forbid, should things go South for us, don't expect China to fight our wars.
Time to highlight another ground-reality; CPEC is just a component of China's global
silk-route (economic) initiative. As expected from a sensible state, China is not putting all of its eggs in the same basket.
Have a look:
Source:
http://china-trade-research.hktdc.c...ad-Initiative/obor/en/1/1X000000/1X0A36B7.htm
My argument is just as valid as any other argument and should not be overlooked. We should invite US to invest in Pakistan just like we did with China! This is a much better way to secure our
interests than militarization.
Thankfully, we agree on something but you still do not get it entirely.
Developing relations with Russia is a welcome move (we should have made this move long ago) but don't expect Russia to be our friends or ditch India anytime soon (or perhaps ever). More importantly, we cannot afford to alienate the WEST. And US represents the WEST, like it or not.
Turkey? When Turkey will leave NATO, give me a call. Till then, Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive posturing is toothless.
Europeans will not drop NATO either! Not anytime soon. Russia is a bane for them.
People question trade agreements all the time. This doesn't implies that NATO is coming apart. Europe has always maintained some level of economic independence but European states are not ditching trade relations with the US for some disagreements. If there are valid disagreements, the contracts will be re-defined.
