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There has been much back and forth in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor,which is technically still not over on India’s part, but seemingly done, with each side claiming victory. Even as we in India know better through publicly available satellite imagery about the irreversible destruction caused to prime Pak military assets (leading to their request for ceasefire), Pak seems to have spun a fancy yarn which unfortunately the West too appears to be buying into. To boot, their de facto chief executive, Munir has elevated himself to Field Marshal in a facetious bid to grant legitimacy to their actions and salvage a situation of near disaster for Pak. As l have argued elsewhere, what better way to see the vanquished as victor, than to promote the big boss for a job well done!
I briefly argue in this piece, how given the cliched and oft repeated phrase of ‘transactional relationship’, US has actually ‘rewarded’ Pak, an internationally known sponsor of world terrorism, for their most heinous and nefarious acts. And this despite our all-party delegations, led by able, articulate and competent politicians, presenting their case in world capitals across US, Europe, Middle East and elsewhere. Their engagements in 33 world capitals, as against the Pak representatives’ much fewer meetings in just a handful of world capitals, as per international media, seemingly came a cropper. This opinion is, however, subjective. Pak’s four pronged approach of painting India the villain, namely, a) launching a military offensive without proof, b) refusing joint investigation, c) not agreeing to talks and d) unilaterally putting on hold the IWT, seems to have held a more compelling appeal for the West. Were we found short in our diplomatic offensive? Well, l can’t say…that’s a discussion for another day.
And then comes the kicker. Pak,currently a non permanent member of the UNSC, has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee (TSC). This, bizarre and outlandish as it seems, cannot happen without the approval of the P-5, particularly US. Besides, ‘Field Marshal’ (at the cost of flippancy, as a soldier, l add, that my heart does a double take to mention this radicalised, self seeking, shallow and vanquished military leader as a FM…but such are the ways of that beleaguered nation and its polity), Asim Munir is invited by US to attend their Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade. Turns out, as l key in this, that he likely did not attend it. One of US’ top Generals (Kurilla) calls Pak their “most phenomenal partner in counter terrorism”.
A brief and very superficial analysis would tell you that Pak co-chairing the CTC is not too different (as someone pointed out) to a cat guarding a bowl of milk. A country which is at the root of virtually every terrorist act in the world, is suddenly charged, at the highest international forum, to guard against it, curb terrorism etc. Yes, temporary members of UNSC are indeed invited to co-chair various subcommittees. But did US (and/or the P-5) have to give Pak the CTC? Could Pak not have chaired so many of the other UN committees?
As for TSC, this is even more befuddling. The Committee, inter alia, has the power to freeze assets, impose ban on travel, place arms embargo on groups/bodies or individuals connected with Taliban,which it (the committee) sees as a threat to Afghanistan’s peace and security. Pak has had a long running feud with Afghanistan. The issue of strategic depth for Pak etc has been done to death and l will not labour on it. However, this exalted position gives Pak a huge leverage in trying to woo Afghanistan, whose Taliban regime, such as it is, is much closer to India than Pak. It can use this to court Afghanistan and neutralize Indian influence. Afghan response to such measures, is another issue. Either way, it does not augur well for us.
Whatever the reasons, presumably Pak’s proximity to Iran and likelihood of US involvement in the ongoing Israel -Iran conflict, Pak’s rare earth mineral finds, crypto currency deals etc, these
developments couldn’t have come at a better time for Pakistan. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, it will fully exploit it’s position in these important UN committees to do as much harm to lndia as it can. Fortunately, their term in these committees is time bound. However, in collusion with China, it’s ironclad ally, it can do considerable damage to India in whatever time it has. Our job, diplomatically, is cut out sharp – we have to do what it takes, including, but not limited to forming a South Asian or even a World alliance against terrorism (as opined by a former diplomat), to thwart Pak’s evil designs. Sooner,rather than later, US may realise it’s folly in embracing a known terrorist sponsor, an unstable and economically fragile state. One only hopes it will not be too late by then.
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