United Nations has its relevance, but India would do well not to depend too much on UN sanctions. Especially when it comes to tackling terror networks that operate from across the western border.
That they have solid backing from sections of the Pakistani establishment is oft repeated. This essentially is a matter between India and Pakistan, and there is no justification at a realistic level to run to the UN to get justice done for India. Rather, it shows India’s lack of nerve to take on Pakistan and the evil forces operating from there.
What comes as a latest set-back to India is the assertion by China that its stands on both JeM chief Massod Azhaar and India’s push for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership remain unchanged. In fact, there was no real reason to expect that China would change its stands on both these issues.
It had effected a “technical hold” or a kind of temporary veto on the plea for UN to declare Azhar as a UN-designated terrorist. The term of this veto is set to end by the end of this month. China is bound to continue blocking India’s efforts in this respect, as is only to be expected of it, in view of the close association it is maintaining with Pakistan. China has now said as much.
Economic interests are intertwined with political interests in the relations between China and Pakistan. This is highlighted in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project and the highway that takes Chinese products to the new Pakistani port at Gwadar, on the Arabian Sea. It opened a western seafront to China for maritime and mercantile operations.
Loads of goods have already started heading for Gwadar from China’s western regions. This project further cemented the ties between the two countries.
Gwadar apart, India is a natural adversary for China, and an enemy in real terms as well, on multiple fronts. In all fairness, China recognizes as much. India foolishly avoids to do so, and expects China to be a friend.
India’s step-up in relations with the US, a natural process that is the logical best step forward in the post Cold War era, is another irritant for China. To expect China to maintain normal and friendly relations with India or help promote Indian interests at global fora like the UN is foolish.
Foreign secretary S Jaishankar’s statement at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi this past week, that China should review its stands on both JeM chief and NSG membership was uncalled for.
Such talks are laughable and not anchored on realism. His eminent stress was that China should not give a “political colour” to these issues, and should look at them on merit. This is no more than a wishful thinking. There is no need to keep requesting China especially when it is clear that its leadership will not bend to India’s wishes.
Diplomacy does not work on wishful thinking or day-dreaming. It works on a realistic assessment of ground scenarios, strategic push, deft moves and hard bargaining. India, on the face of it, lacks in all these respects and often acts immature.
India must proceed on the premise that geopolitical situations warrant China and Pakistan continuing to strengthen their relationship. The alliance with the US would help India to an extent, and its extension to the military level – US of late having designated India as a “most favoured nation” in military engagements – carries its own risks, but this is worth the while and need be pursued.
While saying this, we must note the change of attitude displayed by President elect Donald Trump which indicate a soft corner for Pakistan. Importantly, India may also look for ways other than the UN route to not only corner Masood Azhar and the like, but also to eliminate them even if it would involve effective use of the RAW and other agencies.
Here also, one must note that our secret services are not same as Mossad. They have never succeeded in anything international and are good only at keeping watch on domestic opponents of the party or leader in power.
The chaotic state of affairs in Pakistan as of now, with sectarian strife at its worst, opens up several new opportunities for India to achieve its aim of neutralizing the terror factor from across the borders.
The good turn is also that Pakistan’s efforts to cozy up to the Afghanistan government led by Ashraf Ghani have proven to be futile. For India, a diplomatic highway to Pakistan, as is well-proven, is through Afghanistan. Whether Damodardass Modi, busy with his personal agenda of DEMONetization, has time for national interests or not has to be watched.
