A.Rahman
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International sanctions were slapped on India for conducting secretive nuclear tests in 1974 and more recently in 1998. Dissimilar to Iran and North Korea, who are signatories of the 1972 Non-Proliferation Treaty, the recalcitrant India has refused to sign up to this agreement. India has learnt to live with long term in nuclear isolation. With the furore over the nuclear ambitions of perceived pariah states, such as Iran and North Korea, it would be expected that there would also be international condemnation of India's announced nuclear intensions. It is a state, with a horrendous human rights record. It has shown its willingness to defy international trading laws and conventions. Moreover it has technically been at war since its independence. So what has been the punishment for India openly declaring its renewed nuclear ambitions? The answer is none. On the contrary, India has been rewarded with the glittering prize of sealing a civilian nuclear cooperation pact with the United States. This agreement was also welcomed by one of the main lapdogs of the US, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed El Baradei, who called India "an important partner in the non-proliferation regime". In addition India and the US have agreed to boost bilateral economic ties and co-operation in space travel, agriculture and health. The US has adopted less of a carrot and stick approach with India and more of a carrot and sugar cube approach.
In contrast Pakistan received something more like a nuclear wind from President Bush. Whilst he landed in New Delhi baring gifts, he landed in Islamabad only to lecture Musharraf on how he is still not exerting enough effort in the war on Islam. Again no carrot and stick approach for this jackass: merely stick and more stick. This, no doubt, will translate into more government sponsored brutality for the Muslims of Pakistan. In many ways, the visit could not come at a worse time. But when is a good time for a murderer of Muslims to visit Pakistan. The Pakistani military are fighting separatists in one province, whilst trying to control the border in another. Pakistanis are still angry over the recent US air strike on civilians in the mountainous areas. There are still continuing protests over the cartoons of Rasool-Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wassalam), which often double up as anti-Musharraf rallies. A nationwide strike was announced for Friday over the cartoons, and protests were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Then there is the Indian nuclear deal. On Thursday, a bomb exploded outside the US Consulate in Karachi, killing four people, including an American diplomat.
America's treatment of Pakistan as a footstool is nothing new. It is indeed expected that Musharraf would show as much deference as possible; and that is still not good enough. However what has come as a surprise to many, including some in the Congress, has been the strength of the agreement, and the warmth of the sentiments expressed between the US and India. This relationship should be put into perspective. India is the world's largest democracy. It is the world's fasted growing economy, and predicted to soon be the world's most populous country. It has escalating energy needs, and an insatiable desire for consumer goods. More electricity, to more people means more I-pods and X-boxes to sell them. America's assistance in getting power into India, be it nuclear or non-nuclear, will benefit none save America in the long run. US-India economic ties are growing rapidly. In 2005, US exports to India rose by 30%, compared with 20% growth in Indian exports to the US. Bilateral merchandise trade amounted to nearly $27 billion. Currently this is seen by officials as way below the potential of the two economies. India needs electricity to drive its silicon plateau. Presently it only has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under construction. Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricity. By 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricity. India has limited coal and uranium reserves. Its huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel this proposed nuclear power programme.
In addition America is always in need of a few friends in the region. In that part of the world the US has very few friends amongst the people, merely a few pathetic presidents in palaces. Bush was greeted by massive Muslim protests in India. However the mood of the nation may easily be manipulated with a feather in the cap of PM Manmohan Singh such as this agreement. India has already demonstrated its solidarity with the US over several international issues. These include the condemnation of Iran and its quest for nuclear energy. The irony over this is obviously lost in the US, and ignored in India.
Source: KCom Journal
In contrast Pakistan received something more like a nuclear wind from President Bush. Whilst he landed in New Delhi baring gifts, he landed in Islamabad only to lecture Musharraf on how he is still not exerting enough effort in the war on Islam. Again no carrot and stick approach for this jackass: merely stick and more stick. This, no doubt, will translate into more government sponsored brutality for the Muslims of Pakistan. In many ways, the visit could not come at a worse time. But when is a good time for a murderer of Muslims to visit Pakistan. The Pakistani military are fighting separatists in one province, whilst trying to control the border in another. Pakistanis are still angry over the recent US air strike on civilians in the mountainous areas. There are still continuing protests over the cartoons of Rasool-Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wassalam), which often double up as anti-Musharraf rallies. A nationwide strike was announced for Friday over the cartoons, and protests were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Then there is the Indian nuclear deal. On Thursday, a bomb exploded outside the US Consulate in Karachi, killing four people, including an American diplomat.
America's treatment of Pakistan as a footstool is nothing new. It is indeed expected that Musharraf would show as much deference as possible; and that is still not good enough. However what has come as a surprise to many, including some in the Congress, has been the strength of the agreement, and the warmth of the sentiments expressed between the US and India. This relationship should be put into perspective. India is the world's largest democracy. It is the world's fasted growing economy, and predicted to soon be the world's most populous country. It has escalating energy needs, and an insatiable desire for consumer goods. More electricity, to more people means more I-pods and X-boxes to sell them. America's assistance in getting power into India, be it nuclear or non-nuclear, will benefit none save America in the long run. US-India economic ties are growing rapidly. In 2005, US exports to India rose by 30%, compared with 20% growth in Indian exports to the US. Bilateral merchandise trade amounted to nearly $27 billion. Currently this is seen by officials as way below the potential of the two economies. India needs electricity to drive its silicon plateau. Presently it only has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under construction. Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricity. By 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricity. India has limited coal and uranium reserves. Its huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel this proposed nuclear power programme.
In addition America is always in need of a few friends in the region. In that part of the world the US has very few friends amongst the people, merely a few pathetic presidents in palaces. Bush was greeted by massive Muslim protests in India. However the mood of the nation may easily be manipulated with a feather in the cap of PM Manmohan Singh such as this agreement. India has already demonstrated its solidarity with the US over several international issues. These include the condemnation of Iran and its quest for nuclear energy. The irony over this is obviously lost in the US, and ignored in India.
Source: KCom Journal
