Rafale- Modi’s excuse to Indian Air Force Failure

 

By C. Andrew

Indian PM Modi during “Indai today Conclave” said that “if India had Rafale Jets; recent outcomes of India- Pakistan would have been different”. He, in order to keep the situation charged up in the backdrop of Indian aggression and robust response from Pakistan, criticized the opposition leaders specially Rahul Gandhi for creating controversy on Rafale aircraft deal and said “at present, we continue to suffer due to the politicization of Rafale deal. The vested interests and politicization has caused great harm to the nation’s interest. In response to Modi’s taunt on Rafale aircraft, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has alleged Modi of being ”solely responsible” for the delay in the arrival of Rafale jets. Rahul Gandhi has tweeted that “Dear PM, have you no shame at all ? YOU stole 30,000 crore and gave it to your friend Anil. YOU are solely responsible for the delay in the arrival of the RAFFALE Jets”

It is to refresh that Rafale deal, widely discussed in international as well as Indian media, is an agreement between India and France signed at the government level for procurement of 36 Medium Multi Role combat aircrafts(MRCA) jet fighters built by French defence manufacturer Dassault. The deal has its genesis in a proposal put forth during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2000 for procurement of advance jet fighters as part of modernization of Indian Air Force. The procurement process was initiated by the Manmohan Singh government in 2007. The next United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government zeroed it in 2012 and a new deal was inked with Dassult for 126 MRCAs. That deal was scrapped by the Narendra Modi government after it came to power in 2015, he made an announcement that the deal had been reworked and a fresh agreement was on. Finally, the deal was signed an inter-government agreement with France, dubbed as “Rafale Deal” , in which India would reportedly pay about 58,000 Crore or 7.8 billion Euros for 36 Off-the-shelf Dassult Rafale twin engine fighters. About 15 per cent of this cost is being paid in advance. As per deal, India will also get spares and weaponry including the meteor missile.

Here is a question arises why Modi scrapped the early deal of UPA government which was comparatively more beneficial for India. It is argued in Indian media that the reason is Ambani. Within less than 2 weeks after Dassault bagged India’s 126 MMRCS deal, Mukesh Ambani became Dassault’s partner. So did Anil Ambani, afterwards. Now Dassault, which was ready to provide 126 Rafales at USD 10.2Billion, 18 ready to fly and 108 to be made in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), asked additional money foe weapon system and technology transfer stretching the deal from 10.2 Billion to USD 14-18 Billion. Not only this, they also refused to provide any guarantee for planes made by HAL. In short, they broke every single clause, rider in the original contract. There are numerous stories in the media about these escalated prices. The figure quoted by Defence  Minister Parrikar is very strange. Speaking to Doordarshan on April 13, 2015, Parrikar had revealed Rafale’s bid for 126 fighters, stating; “When you talk of 126 (Rafale) aircraft, it becomes a purchase of about 90,000 Crores’-Rs 715 Crores per fighter after adding all cost.” Parrikar had escalated the deal from 10.2 Billion USD to 14 billion USD (Rs 90,000) Crores without any apparent reason. And, merely a month later, on May 31, 2015, Parrikar was quoted as saying “the UPA deal for 126 fighters was too expensive and it would have hampered other modernization plans of Indian military. The deal would have required around 1.3 lakh Crores over a period of 10-11 years, he added.” Very suspicious, an already escalated figure of 90,000 Crore for the deal merely a month ago had suddenly become 20 USD Billion now, almost 50 % increase in 50 days, for no rhyme or reason. Was the Modi government merely feeling these figures and lying to the media to justify its grounds for the renegotiation?

When the Dassault entered the bid, it had no leverage and much to lose if it did not get the bid. Dassault was desperate, its reputation of being non-transparent in its business (rates worst-F Band by Transparency international) was not helping it much and Dassult’s CEO himself was caught up in charges of financial irregularities. But Dassault-Ambani partnership changed everything. Now Ambani who controlled most of the politicians, thus controlled the government itself, was Dassault’s partner. So Dassult-Ambani started arm twisting Indian government to get the most out of the deal. Read about Ambai’s Gas Scams to know about his arm-twisting prowess. Thankfully, it was not that easy. A first whiff of corruption, the defence Minister of UPA at the time, AK Antony- considered as honest politician, stopped serious negotiation, delaying the deal. So Dassault-Ambani had to wait for more tham two years until Modi became PM. It is to notify that Modi ambani unholy nexus is not a secret anymore. So as soon Modi had an opportunity, he ractified the deal that is most disadvantageous to India and most profitablr to Dassault-Ambani. Modi not only single handedly took this decision, without even getting formal cabinet in confidence and also kept Defence Minister Parrikar himself in dark. It has been said that Modi’s top guns Jaitley, Parrikar etc are not happy with Modi’s deal. Subramaniam Swami of BJP has publically spoken against and written a letter to Modi to stop the deal. No one is talking about it, because most of Indian mrdia had been reduced to Modi’s cheerleaders.

It can be said that procurement deal for 36 Rafale fighter has become a mega corruption scam as lack of “sovereign guarantee”. Issue has created a puzzling situation for Modi’s government as there is no government-to-government guarantee extended to the deal by the French government. In the wake of new revelations and lack of “sovereign guarantee” objection, Modi government’s Rafale aircraft deal has become a Real Nightmare for Modi (who is also accused of bypassing official procedure in inking the deal). Moreover, Indian opposition is also gearing up efforts to launch fresh onslaught against Modi. Reportedly, a French legal organization that examines the illicit financial flow, has filed a corruption complain over the controversial Rafale deal with France’s national financial prosecutor’s office. By filliping the issue of Rafale aircraft deal, Indain PM has admitted incapability of Indian Air Force for any ear/conflict. Moreover, Modi has raised the doubts about the preparedness, training etc of IAF. Such utterances from the mouth of top leadership of the country are demoralizing for the IAF, which has been politicized and forced to wage a “political war” of desperate Modi who wants to win the Lok Sabha elections at any cost. As Modi is under pressure from the opposition over the extravagant price of Rafale aircraft deal, his filliping of the issue and scathing attack against opposition is another mischievous attempt to befool Indian public and politician under the shield of Modi instigated situation of ultra nationalism (I;e war mongering hysterics against Pakistan).

India: Pakistan won the war of information

LONDON – Indian Lt Gen (retd) Ata Hasnain, former Corps Commander Northern Command, has admitted that Pakistan won the war of information.

Addressing a British think-tank at Institute of Strategic Studies on Thursday, he said that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had defeated India in the information field.

US lobbying hard for success of war rhetoric Indian PM Modi at the cost of Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS - The United States (US) is pushing to put Masood Azhar on the United Nations (UN) sanctions blacklist more to boost Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electoral chances than the merits of the case, according to several diplomats following the developments at the UN.

“It’s seems the US wants to use this ploy as a gift to Modi as he faces challenges in his bid for re-election,” a senior diplomat said. Modi, he said, had lost on the military front, but the US effort is now aimed at improving his domestic image on the diplomatic side.

Indian state terrorism forcing educated Kashmiris to take up guns against India: International media report

ISLAMABAD - A report published in Washington Post says the Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir have forced Kashmiri scholars and educated youth to take up arms against the Indian state terrorism.

The report said the number of young Kashmiris turning to the armed struggle is growing.

Pulwama; India’s false Flag Operation in Kashmir, Danger of Nuclear War?

By Sajjad Shaukat

At least 44 Indian soldiers were killed in the Pulwama district of the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) on February 14, this year when a suicide bomber rammed a car into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Next day, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for the Pulwama terror attack and warned of a strong response, ratcheting up tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

New Delhi also removed the most favored nation (MFN) trade privileges that had been accorded to Pakistan-though annual bilateral trade between the two countries. Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility soon after the assault. Without any investigation and evidence Indian high officials and media started accusing Islamabad, saying that the attackers had come from Pakistan to stage the assault. The Indian foreign ministry said in a statement, “We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries.”

Speaking in the Indian tone and remaining silence on the CIA-Mossad-RAW anti-Pakistan secret terror-network in Afghanistan, the White House also shared Indian blame game, urging Pakistan “to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil”. On the other side, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We have always condemned acts of violence anywhere in the world…We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian media and government that seek to link the attack to Pakistan without investigations.” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quereshi also rejected Indian false allegations. Speaking to the Indian media, former Chief Minister of the Indian Held Kashmir Farooq Abdullah stated: “I was saddened to hear about the deaths of the soldiers. This is not something happening for the first time. These incidents happen everyday there…India should talk with Kashmiris, because using the force of guns and army is not the solution…Don’t blame Pakistan because local people are joining Kashmiri fight” [War of liberation].

Meanwhile, on February 21, 2018, India was humiliated once again at the diplomatic level when Pakistan’s name was not mentioned in the declaration by the UN Security Council condemning Pulwama attack. New Delhi tried everything possible to involve Pakistan’s name in the statement and tried to use American influence as well. Multiple countries were briefed in New Delhi regarding the attack. However, various contradictory developments and reports proved that Pulwama terror attack was a false flag operation, conducted by New Delhi to malign Islamabad in order to obtain various designs. In this regard, quoting the report of the daily Kashmir Times of September 10, 2017, Pakistan’s media and even some leading newspapers of India revealed that the Indian drama was exposed after the disclosure that the alleged suicide attacker of the Pulwama attack Adil Ahmed Dar was already in the custody of the Indian army. “The Indian army had arrested Adil Ahmed Dar during an operation in Shopian on September 10, 2017… It is a big question that how he carried out the suicide attack when he was already in the custody of Indian army.”

Blindly alleging Pakistan, some Indian newspapers, especially India Today wrote: “Intelligence agencies in Jammu and Kashmir believe Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed commander-Ghazi Abdul Rasheed is the mastermind behind the gruesome Pulwama terror attack that rocked the nation on February 14. He is one of the closest aides of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azha.” It is notable that religious cleric Abdul Rasheed Ghazi was killed in 2007 during the Lal Masjid operation in Islamabad, launched by the then President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

It is of particular attention that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s extremist party-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had got a land sliding triumph in the Indian elections 2014 on the basis of anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan slogans. Therefore, since the Prime Minister Modi came to power, he has been implementing anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan agenda with the support of fanatic coalition outfits. Now, double game has become the BJP strategy to win the Indian general elections 2019. In this respect, BJP leadership seems to have geared up its activity for forthcoming poll-2019. Hence, suicide assault of Pulwama which is false flag operation is also election stunt of the BJP. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, across India, many Kashmiri people, including students have been arrested and attacked and their shops looted by the Hindu extremists. Young people have been charged with sedition for criticizing the Indian Army, and Indians are lashing out at Pakistani civilians, including Bollywood actors. A wave of jingoism has been created by the BJP-led fanatic parties against the Muslims and Pakistan.

It is mentionable that on September, 2016, New Delhi had staged the drama of the terror attack in the IOK at a military base in Uri, close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. After the episode, without any investigation, India’s top civil and military officials, including their media started propaganda against Pakistan, it Army and primary intelligence agency ISI by accusing that the militants who targeted the Uri base came from Pakistan’s side of Azad Kashmir.

In fact, failed in suppressing the indigenous Kashmir movement, Indian central government imposed President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir which began from December 20, 2018. The main purpose is to accelerate atrocities on the Kashmiris who are demanding their genuine right of self-determination in accordance with the UNO resolutions. Besides, India’s another aim is to deflect the attention of the international community from the new phase of Kashmiri Intifada, while in this connection; pressure has been mounting on the Modi government both domestically and internationally to settle the dispute of Kashmir with Islamabad. While, New Delhi is still showing its intransigence to resolve Kashmir issue by also neglecting the fact that Kashmir remains a nuclear flashpoint between both the neighbouring countries.

Nevertheless, taking cognizance of Indian blame game and war-like posture, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said on February 19, this year, that Pakistan will take action, if New Delhi shares any actionable evidence, concerning the suicide bombing in the occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama area which targeted Indian paramilitary soldiers. Offering cooperation and another chance at a dialogue over the Kashmir issue, the premier also warned India against any act of aggression, saying Pakistan will not hesitate in retaliating to a provocation. But, Indian extremist government of the BJP rejected any cooperation in this respect, and has continued threatening diplomacy against Islamabad.

Following Indian war-like strategy, Prime Minister Imran Khan on February 21, 2019 chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) attended by Pakistan’s Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, services chiefs, heads of intelligence agencies, security officials and the concerned federal ministers—during which the country’s security situation was discussed, amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack. NSC said that the country was not involved in any way in the Pulwama terror attack and it was conceived, planned and executed indigenously, as Prime Minister Imran Khan authorised the military to respond decisively to any aggression by India.

It is worth-mentioning that at present, fanatic leaders are in power in the US, India and Israel and they are in collaboration against the Muslims, Islamic World, Russia and China. And it is also part of Zionist agenda to ‘denuclearize Pakistan’, as she is the only nuclear country in the Muslim World.

Notably, Israel does not want the two-state settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issue and will prefer atomic war between the US and Russia. Similarly, in order to avoid the solution of Kashmir dispute, extremist Prime Minister Modi can take the risk of nuclear war with Pakistan.

In these terms, we may conclude that Pulwama terror attack was a false flag operation, conducted by the Indian security forces to crush the war of liberation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and to implicate Islamabad in this regard. So, in wake of India’s war-like threats, danger of nuclear war remains between India and Pakistan, as even a conventional conflict can result into an atomic war.

MEMORY OF THE SAMJHOTA EXPRESS TREGDY

Swami Aseemanand

On the midnight of 18-19 February 2007, India-Pakistan Samjhota Express train was bombed in which 68 Pakistani nationals were killed. A Hindu extremist leader Swami Aseemanand, a leader of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has confessed that he was involved in several bombings incidents. He also claimed to have been a part of the incident. In fact, ideology of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) prevails in every field at the cost of other minority groups. It is even supported by Indian defense forces secretly. This could be judged from the incident, when on April 6, 2008 in the house of Bajrang Dal fundamentalists in Nanded, a bomb went off. The investigation proved that these militants were found in the bomb-making and attack on a mosque in Parbhani in 2003. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra arrested a serving Lt. Col. Srikant Purohit along with other army officials, indicating that they were helping in training the Hindu terrorists, providing them with the military-grade explosive RDX, used in the Malegaon bombings and terrorist attacks in other Indian cities. ATS further disclosed that Lt. Col. Purohit confessed that in 2007, he was involved in bombing of Samjhota express, which burnt alive 68 Pakistanis.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) was convinced that Sadhu Swami Aseemanand, a Hindu right-wing leader was directly involved in the Samjhota Express blast. Sources in NIA further pointed out that besides Lt. Col. Purohit, other Indian army officials were also behind that train-bombing. In this regard, a court in Panchkula, Haryana has recorded Aseemanand’s statement which confirmed the NIA inquiry. Aseemanand’s statement in the Samjhota Express blast case was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate. His earlier admission was recorded in the Mecca Masjid case, which was being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sadhu Aseemanand stuck to his confession that Hindutva radicals were behind the bomb attack on the Samjhota Express. Aseemanand, Aka Naba and Kumar Sarkar, named absconding Hindutva militants—Ramji Kaisangra and Sandeep Dange as the key plotters in that terror attack.

Sources of the NIA also disclosed that the confession in connection with the Samjhota Express blast practically rules out the involvement of other groups. In the Samjhota Express case, the probe team has found that the bomb used in the train was kept in a suitcase that was bought from a shop of Indore’s Kothari Market. The suitcase had cloth covers stitched by an Indian local tailor. The NIA was now trying to get details of those who bought the suitcase and covers. It is notable that Dr. J C Batra, who is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India, was asked to give opinion on Aseemanand’s confession. He appeared very defensive and as usual started accusing Pakistan’s its primary intelligence agency ISI—its so-called history for such activities, alleging that even this could be an ISI plot. He further said that Swami’s statement does not have much legal value as circumstantial evidence is also needed, while adding that RSS is being wrongly implicated and there could be others involved who are not being exposed. In this respect, a Pakistani parliamentarian, Mr. Mian Abdul Sattar, parliamentary secretary for planning and development, who was accompanying him, later stated that that he was told by Mr JC Batra that the Indian Army was involved in this case and there “are efforts to shield it from getting exposed”.

Swami Aseemanand also confessed in the court that several RSS preachers and Sang activists were directly involved in planning, financing and executing Malegaon, Samjhauta Express, Ajmer and Mecca Masjid blasts. He stated that various leaders of Hindu communal organizations including Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Abhinav Bharat, Jai Vande Matram and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram were also behind these blasts.

It is mentionable that in various tapes, LT. Col Purohit said, “We are all on the same plane, Hindu Rashtra (Nation)”. He even claimed that Gen. J J Singh is “with us”. (Former Singh was Army Chief till Sept. 2007). Significantly, Purohit mentioned that “one of our own captain had visited Israel”, and demanded “continuous supply of arms, training, an office with a saffron flag in Tel Aviv, political asylum and support for our cause of a Hindu Nation in the UN.” The Israelis, he added, gave “a very positive response.” In this connection, exposing the nexus between Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the then Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde disclosed on January 20, 2013 that organized training camps run by the fundamentalist parties, RSS and BJP were promoting Hindu Terrorism. He also explained that these extremist parties were behind the Samjhauta Express, Meccca Masjid and Malegaon blasts. He added, “We will have to think about it (Saffron terrorism) seriously…Hindu extremist parties BJP and RSS were involved many times in Hindu Muslim violence in India, especially Gujarat and Babri masjid incident.”

The then India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid endorsed Shinde’s statement, saying that it was based on facts. Meanwhile, Indian Home Secretary R K Singh revealed that during investigation the government had found ten names of the Hindu extremists, associated with RSS, who were involved in these terror attacks including Ajmer Sharif. Similarly on July 19, 2013, the Indian ex-investigating officer Satish Verma disclosed that terror-attacks in Mumbai in November 26, 2008 and assault on Indian Parliament in January 12, 2001 were carried out by the Indian government to strengthen anti-terrorism laws.

While, India has always accused Pakistan’s ISI of these acts of terrorism, but it is quite silent over Hindutva-terror which has obtained a new face, under the fundamentalist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Indian RAW, country’s high officials and fundamentalist parties have co-relationship. Nevertheless, despite the confessions of Swami Aseemanand, instead of taking action against the culprits of the Samjhota Express explosion, the Supreme Court of India accepted the bail of Swami Aseemanand after the covert interference of the Modi-led authorities who changed the investigations in this respect in order to weaken the case.

US EXIT FROM WARS ISN’T THIS SIMPLE

By Ishaal Zehra

Received with a mixed response, the long and greatly overdue decision of complete departure of US forces from Syria and Afghanistan has excavated some uncomfortable truths. Ever since the US president has announced an exit from these war-webs, the pro-military media of US has started bombarding a common man with articles and reports from worthy war-journals telling us how this decision will engulf peace from this already not-so-very-peaceful world. But I say, let’s face it. Let’s not kid ourselves. American presence in both the countries “will not” and “cannot” help change the situation at ground. Whether its ISIS or Taliban, you cannot control them with the presence of a paltry number of American troops around. The same will continue to loaf in Syria and Afghanistan for some more time, where this NATO and ISAF check might not limit but encourage the group’s nefarious undertakings in the name of foreign boots on grounds.

Indeed, ending this quagmire is not simple. To leave? Or to stay? Or when to leave? And why to stay? All these decisions must be made in support of a well-crafted exit policy. Interestingly, a US think tank dealing with defence and security issues, in their recent report, warns the US leadership that exit from Afghanistan will pull entire region into Afghan conflict. RAND, in the latest report on Afghanistan titled “Consequences of a Precipitous US Withdrawal from Afghanistan”, warns president Trump not to decide exit of the US Forces from Afghanistan in haste. An early withdrawal, the report argues, will cause the insurgents to lose interest in negotiating peace with the United States. Report also causes speculations of a chaos in the region where regional players will likely exert pressure in support of respective groups. The subsequent consequences calls for an overly sensitive debate.

Although US’s longest war in the history has remained highly unpopular in the masses since its beginning yet Afghanistan is not so easily dismissed. As a matter of fact, a vast majority of Americans do not actually know what is going on in Afghanistan today. They are fed by articles and reports meant to show the side that actually suits the underwriters. The headlines and opinion sections of big news giants may carry reports on air quality or on an anti-corruption campaign in Kabul disregarding the actual conditions of the combat raging in and around Kabul because reporting in the war areas is simply not possible in such mounting war conditions.

While hawks in US military along with their supporting politicos in Afghan government have been grumbling on Trump’s war-exit policy, their reasons for this holler are somewhat different from what is reported by the media. While the afghan puppet government don’t want to let go on power and money gains of this war, the US military wing views Afghanistan, acknowledged by few intellects, as one pillar in a broader regional web of US surveillance over the whole of the greater Middle East. Geopolitically, Afghanistan is located conveniently close to “the soft underbelly” of Russia and China, and also Iran. That’s why they would want selective intelligence and military capabilities in South Asia for many years to come.

Robert D. Kaplan rightly say that no other country in the world symbolizes the decline of the American empire as much as Afghanistan. There is virtually no possibility of a military victory over the Taliban and little chance of leaving behind a self-sustaining democracy — facts that Washington’s policy community has mostly been unable to accept. But it seems president trump had anticipated this well, hence entered the office with the promise to end this fruitless US venture where his security establishment has been opposing his exit strategy since onset.

However, president Trump’s new approach of reaching out to the Taliban carries a lot of sense for the people of affected region as well as for the entire world. Most importantly for masses of Afghanistan and Pakistan, worst affected by the war. The truth is that no US strategy in Afghanistan has worked this far. Reports suggests that in recent years the ISIS-Khorasan has probably become the strongest and largest ISIS affiliate outside Syria and Iraq. Apparently, it has set up shop in the mountain ranges of Afghanistan bordering Pakistan which means that the heat of US-ISIS fiasco might have to be tolerated by Pakistan as well, willingly or unwillingly.

Reworking the exit policy the US has sought Pakistan’s help in facilitating the peace talks with the Taliban where the latter has offered its unstinting support and help. The process has gone well so far with minor hiccups. What we need to understand is that the Taliban, who control more than half of Afghanistan are actually in the dialogue from a position of strength.  And only a better understanding in between the US and Taliban (backed by the regional players) can help bring stability in the region. Meanwhile, gradually declining in size, the US should continue with its financial support and engagement to help war ravaged economy of Afghanistan for some more time. While, the Afghans should sustain the patient hope that their country will stabilize and strengthen over time.

?Why India is Anxious about CPEC

By Aurangzeb Alamgir

          In the 21st century, China has emerged as a strong economy.  It has surpassed Japan and achieved the status of the world’s second-largest economy after America. In order to keep its huge economy lubricated China requires copious amounts of black crude.

 Thus, Chin has the great thirst for hydrocarbon resources especially Middle Eastern oil.  Regarding energy security, china is very curious because of the dominance of  America around the Middle East.  Along with it, the US has a strong hold on  the main sea lanes of  communication of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  This, of course a dilemma for Beijing.

 

     The Strait of Malacca is under strong influence of the US, which is a very significant choke point in the Indo-Pacific Sea lane of communication, from where almost 80pc of crude oil transported to Chinese ports.  American presence around the strait is creating serious dilemma for China which is called “The Malacca Dilemma”. In order to deal with Malacca Dilemma china has initiated the Belt and road project in 2013 and under that project china has to develop six economic corridors under Belt and Road.

          The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is known as flagship project of Chinese Belt and road Initiative (BRI) with Imran Khan’s visit to China in November last year the project is gaining new heights.  The newly elected government in Pakistan has vision to broaden the scope and level of CPEC development projects.  Agriculture and livestock and socio economic development are also included in the CPEC projects.  According to leading experts on geopolitics and geo-economics, CPEC is a game changer project for South Asia. It will change the  geopolitical as well as geostrategic landscape of south Asia and China will emergence as a key stakeholder of Indian Ocean Region and it will ultimately hurt the balance of  power in the  region especially it will a clear challenge for Indian hegemonic designs in the region.

 

If we critically analyze the situation regarding Chinese investments in Pakistan and other South Asia countries, India seems to be under extreme pressure.  India keeps a strict watch over china’s developments.  India is cautious and  suspicious enough over Chinese moves in Pakistan.  It is because of India china relations that the both countries are emerging economies and have not a good history in strategic realm.  Both have fought a war in 1962 and engaged in many skirmishes.  So under this background, India perceives china’s ventures in south Asia a threat thus pursuing antagonist diplomacy.

    It is attempting its best disrupt and damage China-Pakistan cordiality.  With Modi’s declared anti Pakistan policy, India was struggling to isolate Pakistan at regional and world levels.  However, as India got disappointment to observe that due to the construction of the CPEC, Pakistan was getting popular at the regional and world levels.  India does not want china to enhance its trade and investment in other countries through the connectivity to be facilitated by the CPEC.  Since India considers itself as a competitor to china at regional and world levels, it does not want china to further advance in economic diplomacy based on CPEC-related connectivity.

 

          Without the shadow of doubt, CPEC is the real competitor of India.  Indian strategic and economic ambitions are under challenge because of Chinese ventures in the region. Realistically speaking, Indian intelligentsia and policy making circles are not able to study the emerging scenario.  It will be highly favourable and fruitful for India if it joints CPEC.

        In fact it is an opportunity for India to boost its economy and uplift its deprived masses.  But it is quite infelicitous that India is looking towards the whole region with the optics of Saffron Terrorism and Arthashastra, which is clear and present danger for regional peace and stability.

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan- All set for More Regional Cooperation

By C. Andrew

With the commencement of CPEC, the role of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the region has become more important. As Afghanistan’s strategic location helps the Central Asia to have access to the Gulf and African markets through Gwadar, and Pakistan being the hub of regional connectivity through Gwadar is set to change the shapes of international trade.

In a bid to resolve key issues such as terrorism and peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan along with China and Afghanistan has consistently been holding trilateral dialogues to address issues. With key militant fighters threatening both the relations and CPEC, it is imperative for both Pakistan and Afghanistan to address their concerns in order to achieve the larger cause of regional connectivity. In this connection, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan signed MoU vis a vis anti-terrorism cooperation during second trilateral ministerial dialogue in Kabul on 15 December 20018. The MoU was signed by Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Quarshi and his Chinese as well as Afghan counterparts Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively. The signing of document was witnessed by afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

While speaking at trilateral dialogue, Salahuddin Rabbani said that collective efforts were required to address the common challenge of terrorism. “We desire to strengthen our relations with Pakistan,” he said and also appreciated the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative. Shah Mehmood Quarshi, during a joint press conference, called for a joint strategy to eradicate terrorism from region. He said he was visiting Kabul to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries. “We all want peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan will continue to play facilitative role in Afghanistan reconciliation process. “We will do everything to support the growing momentum towards reconciliation provided other play their due role and share responsibility and create an enabling environment towards that end.” Whereas, Chinese FM Wang said that Beijing will extend all possible cooperation to build trust and confidence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. China will also assist in establishing connectivity projects including a rail line between Kabul and Kandahar, he said, adding that Beijing “desires to make Afghanistan a part of the CPEC.” China and Pakistan congratulated Afghanistan on the completion of parliamentary elections and welcomed the efforts of Afghan government for holding the presidential elections in 2019.

During the dialogue of three sides, once again, declared their commitment to further strengthen their relations, depending cooperation, advancing connectivity under the Bely and Road Initiative (BRI), Regional Economic Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) and other regional initiatives. They also reiterated their strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, and without any distinction while agreeing to continue efforts for building political mutual trust and support reconciliation, development cooperation and connectivity, security cooperation and counter-terrorism as the three areas of the trilateral cooperation. They resolved to support the Afghan led inclusive peace process that was fully supported regionally and internationally, as the most viable way to bring peace in Afghanistan. In this regard, Pakistan and China appreciated the efforts of President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani especially for the comprehensive peace plans. Moreover, China expressed its readiness to support Afghanistan and Pakistan in building immigration reception cetre and drinking water supply schemes at each side of the Ghulam Khan khel crossing point and to explore cold storage at Chaman and Spin Boldak. They expressed their determination not to allow any country, organization or individual to use their respective territories for terrorist activities against any other countries. They took stock of trilateral cooperation in their fight against terrorism and underlined that need to further strengthen counter-terrorism coordination and cooperation in an effort to combat all terrorist groups and individuals without any discrimination.

Mr Quarshi reaffirmed commitment to eradication of terrorism, and also said that “better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan and intelligence sharing will be greatly beneficial for the both countries”. He also added that Pakistan will continue facilitative role on Afghan reconciliation process and will do everything to support the growing momentum towards reconciliation. Presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sent a strong signal that Afghan government wants to end this war. President Ashraf Ghani met Chines FM after the signing of the MoU and sought his country’s cooperation on strengthening a regional peace consensus. This step has been taken by any Afghan government to invite China for this outstanding issue of the region sine more than two decades. Mr yi said that his country also wants to further strengthen relations with Afghanistan and desires to make it part of CPEC. Pakistan being the victim of terrorism has always supported dialogue process for peaceful resolution of Afghan conflict and has always welcomed and step taken by international community for peace resolution.

Chinese Think Tank however, expressed concerns as Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Science Institute of International Relations has warned that the move to include China in peace process in the region may lead to sabotage from India in order to destroy the implementation of BRI in Pakistan and India has always believed that BRI is a strategy by china to encircle India and show its dominance in Asia and has been accused by Pakistan of supporting the nationalist insurgents in the Baluchistan Province. Separatists from Baluchistan who oppose BRI projects in the province claimed the responsibility for an attack in November against the Chinese Consulate that killed four people.

Meanwhile, Li Wei a counter-Terrorism expert at National Defence University, told the Global Times that in long-term, India will also benefit from a better security situation in South Asia. Li noted that China uphold the win-win strategy and its principle of “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” in promoting the reconciliation process in accordance with the country’s own will with regard to the issue, which is a major reason for the smooth proceeding of the trilateral dialogue. Moreover, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson HUua Chunying while terming the second China, Pakistan and Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue held in Kabul a great success, said that china would remain in close contact with the two sides to implement the agreement made during the dialogue, “We believe that meeting is a great success. We will remain in close contact with the two sides to implement these relevant agreements,” Chunying said during regular briefing.

Khan’s Performance- A clap back at Indian Media

Imran Khan

By S. Jhon

A constant political struggle of more than 2 decades, leaving behind a deluxe life for the reciprocation of all love and respect people of Pakistan gave to the internationally renowned sportsman Imran Khan, ultimately rendered him victorious in general elections 2018. His efforts were real and people acknowledged his will to gallantly fight for the interest of people against the corruption of two major families holding the political power of the country. A spotless image of being one of the few honest and trustworthy leaders raised the bars of hopes the nation rested with him very high. These expectations made the pressure on his newly formed government evident and the administration challenging. Khan had been burning midnight oil since day one to address primary stability and development project.

A stable Pakistan is most feared by no other than her archenemy India. Pakistan, since past few decades, hankered a genuine and upright political leadership to run the state matters and lead it in the right direction but due to external propagandas primarily Indian sponsored media houses, corrupt and notorious faces were glorified as capable and truthful leaders ultimately leaving them successful.

 The state affairs then performed proved as backstab to the nation’s progress. Pakistan’s development slowed downed as external pressure increased due to mountains of external borrowings. Government and all its major institutions were traumatized by corruption and money laundering of the power brokers further suppressing the country’s growth.

The export narrowed down to non-existent due to ineffectual government policies elevating dollar’s price. The country had been dragged into financial and ethical chaos on purpose to destabilize the state. The enmity of India has always been visible in all havoc rising in the country including terrorism, water crisis, media war etc.

Due to stated fear, India had been playing part in sponsoring the media for libeling Imran Khan even before the General elections July 2018. Indian nefarious designs to bring Modi’s friend, ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, back into power was clear from multiple statements by Indian politicians claiming that India has invested and has very high stakes in Nawaz Sharif. All the unrest in the enemy lines further substantiated Imran Khan of being the leader Pakistan was longing for.

Indian puppet media group, GEO-JANG group, even alleged Pakistan Army to have sponsored and brought Imran Khan to power through manipulation of results. Pakistan Army always ensures moral support to nationalist elements in the greater interest of the country and as obvious from the by-elections results, where Pandora boxes favored PML(N), the elections proved transparent and rigging-free setting aside all the claims of opposition parties.

Despite all the odds, Khan emerged victorious carrying the nation’s highest expectations on his shoulders. All the Indian investment went drain but their dirty game did not end. They came up with wicked plans in order to hamper the advancement of Pakistan; facilitating major rat-holes for money laundering, funding Pakistani and Indian hostile media houses to highlight petty issues to divert the attention from the real achievement of PTI government and trying to incite distrust among general public against the government. A deep insight of dirty politics by the opposition parties indicates the strings are being pulled from across the border with purpose of weakening the country and hurting national sentiments.

India has been applying Chanakya Doctrine in her diplomacy which states that relations must not be smooth with the neighbors rather the neighbors of the neighbors with aim to not let the power go in the hands of the immediate neighbor which is technically a threat to state’s existence. This doctrine served as the basis of all the cowardice Indian tactics against Pakistan. The doctrine relates a powerful neighbor with menace to stability of state and India has been investing a big deal to weaken Pakistan.

Since Imran Khan assumed the office of Prime Minister, he has been working tirelessly on key challenges the country is facing in the time of grave crisis when the enemy is under immense pressure of hefty debts and corruption. Acute water shortage, sinking exports, swelling interest rate and inflation and dying foreign exchange reserves were benefactions previous government left for PTI. Imran Khan’s and so far the biggest achievement is the harmonization of military, government institutions and judiciary. This alone serves as key attraction to the trust of the outside world due to aligned institutions and opportunities for progress, which became evident from Khan’s successful foreign visits.

PM khan made 8 visits to 6 countries in less than 5 months certainly defining a success of diplomacy. These visits ensured a financial support worth 10 billion USD from Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi with direct foreign investment in various industries. Foreign investors are showing interest, which predict a flourishing economy and close end to financial crisis the country is battling. One major setback to the government was the overshooting dollar’s price, which according to leading economists is suppressed artificially by the previous government through an input of around 7 billion USD into the national exchequer just for the stated reasons. This money was obtained partially from foreign exchange reserves and partly from loans, which indicated a disaster to the economy and the implications is being reaped obviously by the Khan’s government.

Sitting government’s remarkable foreign policy can be gauged by the letter of reconciliation from US President Trump in response to Khan’s retaliation on the remarks Trump made about Pakistan in the previous tweets accusing Pakistan for supporting insurgents and not doing a damn thing in US-led war in Afghanistan. The letter with a request to Imran Khan to facilitate the negotiations with Taliban and to help US make a respectable exit from the region was a proof of Khan’s government stature in the western world.

Premier Khan has taken the initiatives of repairing of damaged roots of the nation with a long sight on issues of core importance. He along with his cabinet has been determined to uproot corruption from the country since day one of their government. His government is taking measures to raise awareness on issues of national importance including resource planning, industrial development, poverty eradication and nationalism. The government realizing the shortage of water and risks it could post in years to come has taken initiative for building new dams and water reservoirs. Government institutions, which were drowning in debt, are starting to heal with effective and meticulous steps giving positive indications.

These indications created unrest and disturbance across the border and they resorted to chicken play. Visible signs appeared in Indian confrontation to the initiative of Kartarpur corridor, a goodwill gesture of Pakistan’s higher command for Indian Sikh community. Indian PM Modi realizing the irrefutable proposition of border corridor tried to play along as a face-saving move following multiple defiant attempts. Concluding, Pakistan is progressing in the very right direction and India must quit ratting, rather should digest the reality as early as possible. Bharat must keep their own house in order than to continue bluffing against Pakistan. India must live and let live.