This Nato Supply Line is triumph card for Pakistan that we have been using to our "strategic" advantage and should keep using that. Its not about money but there are other dimensions of being a supply line for a territory under war. If we are not paid well, who is stopping us to renegotiate? When we can turn this breadcrumb into a "Happy Meal", why should we let this opportunity go for nothing?
Regarding Taliban hitting NATO Convoy, I have a feeling that its not always Taliban who are responsible for the attack. some times trucks catch fire on their own
Indians should look at it with a
very keen interest. It is a given that that United States and Pakistan arent very
enamoured by the current situation prevailing.
It is imperative for the Uited States to
arrange for the surge and then start witrhdrawing from ****** region. It has been Pakistan's wish list as well.
IMO this is a very positive move whether
intentional or otherwise. Of course for the US the NATO supplies are very critical and they cant afford really to keep on suffering attacks on the convoys.
All in all a very good development for the United States that it has a
bargaining power now as compared to the time when the alternate route wasnt available.
I am sure
Georgia is gonna co-oprate with the United States, though not very sure of
Turkmenistan. Depends a lot on
Russia, how they are moving their pawns.
From the other world view such a development
could not have come at a better time for India which has large stake in post-war Afghanistan in terms of Humanitarian relief and reconstruction work or otherwise.
India had been
handicapped for some time mow, particularly
lying low since the attack on the Indian guesthouse some timeback.
I think with the opening up of the
alternate land routes (may prove to be expensive, nonetheless effective in view of the current situation in Pakistan)
India will not be antagonized by the Federal Government as it has been doing for some time now.
India will have a strategic lever in its hand to play a more proactive role in Afghanistan, much more than it has ever played.
While the cost benefit analysis has proved Pakistan to be a
dependable ally against the war on terror, this particular event will have
immense potential to change status quo relationship as it exists today between India, Pakistan and the United States.
The quicker the
US dependability on Pakistan lessens the quicker India will be able to realise the
fruits of investment in Afghanistan.
So as of now they should look at consolidating the new supply lines.
If Pakistan becomes expendable at US hands, nothing can be sweeter to India at this time