Recent mass uprisings in Egypt and other countries in the mid-east amply show that ultimately the countries in the region themselves have to normalize the situation and that other outside powers are mainly driven by their own limited concerns which they try to tackle even by altering their policy orientations. Strategic interests of both India and Iran therefore necessitate long-term sustained
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Uranium enrichment not to be discussed :Iran
Just before the initiation of talks between Iran and six world powers on Iran's controversial nuclear programme in Istanbul,Iran declared that they would not discuss suspension of their country's uranium enrichment program. According to a statement issued by Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Friday, the talks will continue on Saturday.
As talks on Tehran's nuclear program edged close to a possible collapse
As talks on Tehran's nuclear program edged close to a possible collapse
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Post-referendum Sudan to engage in cooperation
Hoping to emerge as a separate nation,the people of Southern Sudan overwhelmingly voted for succession in a week long referendum that ended on January 15,2011.The voting is widely expected to exceed the criteria of 60 per cent limit to uphold its validity and was monitored by hundreds of international observers including Jimmy carter ,former US president, Kofi Annan ,
Monday, December 27, 2010
60th year of India-China diplomacy
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visit to New Delhi promises a departure from his previous talks in the sense that both the sides now show special concerns to achieve positive results in the areas of their conflict this time. Thus, the Chinese premier said "With our joint efforts, we will be able to take out friendship and cooperation to a higher level in the 21st century”.
Stapled visas, border adjustments cross border river management ,reviving engagement in military and defence exercises, lowering of trade barriers to further boost the already growing trade volumes and other similar issues thus be addressed in an accommodative manner.
But the most positive impact of this visit relates to considerable improvement in trade and industrial partnership as the Chinese delegation consists of as many as about 400 firms, entrepreneurs and industrial leaders and it is the economic considerations that dominate and actually dictate the policies of various countries in this era of globalization.
For this reason India has recently been the focus of visits of various world leaders from the West ,thanks to India’s growing economy based on strong domestic demand .US president Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits thus witnessed India’s strengthening nuclear relation with US and France in some manner.
Needless to say that Chinese Premier visit is being shortly followed by the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.Stress among various countries is thus on enhancing economic relations rather than digging up issues that crop up the baggage of history.
India has a troubled Afghanistan-Pakistan region on its western borders while China’s perceived assertive approaches in the South China sea appear to have become a cause of worry or resistance for the countries in that region. India and China thus needs to adopt a leadership role that may carry forward the interests of the region without hurting the sensitivities of other countries. India and China need to display maturity being dominant powers in their respective areas in the over all regional interest and show accommodative approaches in their areas of conflict.
Both the countries should not forget to constructively address the issue of global terrorism emanating from Afghan-Pak area as well as other terrorist sanctuaries that really concerns them individually as well as jointly.
Likewise the currency issues and trade imbalances should be constructively tackled as a stressed dollar and US issue of bonds also effect the interests of India as well as China. Reforms in the United Nations Security Council should be taken up to give suitable representation to the greater bulk of world’s population deprived of this privilege .This may also lead to apportionment of greater resources for this area standing direly in need of rapid development.
Stapled visas, border adjustments cross border river management ,reviving engagement in military and defence exercises, lowering of trade barriers to further boost the already growing trade volumes and other similar issues thus be addressed in an accommodative manner.
But the most positive impact of this visit relates to considerable improvement in trade and industrial partnership as the Chinese delegation consists of as many as about 400 firms, entrepreneurs and industrial leaders and it is the economic considerations that dominate and actually dictate the policies of various countries in this era of globalization.
For this reason India has recently been the focus of visits of various world leaders from the West ,thanks to India’s growing economy based on strong domestic demand .US president Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits thus witnessed India’s strengthening nuclear relation with US and France in some manner.
Needless to say that Chinese Premier visit is being shortly followed by the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.Stress among various countries is thus on enhancing economic relations rather than digging up issues that crop up the baggage of history.
India has a troubled Afghanistan-Pakistan region on its western borders while China’s perceived assertive approaches in the South China sea appear to have become a cause of worry or resistance for the countries in that region. India and China thus needs to adopt a leadership role that may carry forward the interests of the region without hurting the sensitivities of other countries. India and China need to display maturity being dominant powers in their respective areas in the over all regional interest and show accommodative approaches in their areas of conflict.
Both the countries should not forget to constructively address the issue of global terrorism emanating from Afghan-Pak area as well as other terrorist sanctuaries that really concerns them individually as well as jointly.
Likewise the currency issues and trade imbalances should be constructively tackled as a stressed dollar and US issue of bonds also effect the interests of India as well as China. Reforms in the United Nations Security Council should be taken up to give suitable representation to the greater bulk of world’s population deprived of this privilege .This may also lead to apportionment of greater resources for this area standing direly in need of rapid development.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Karzai's moves to secure and transform Afghanistan
Though not completely defeated militarily, the taliban in Afghanistan are on a definite decline. As evidenced by a recent meeting in Kabul of a fugitive Taliban leader with Hamid Karzai,the taliban finally appear to have reconciled to accepting the ground reality of giving up links to Al Qaeda and abandoning terror related activities emanating from Afghanistan .
This latest move aims at weakening the Haqqani network that straddles the border area across Pakistan's tribal belt. Besides, Afghanistan president Karzai has also established contacts with other taliban leaders ready to enter the mainstream to start the much needed work of political reconciliation.
Currently the situation in southern parts of Kandahar region look drastically aggravated. NATO forces have not succeeded in inspiring confidence in the village populace for reasons of lack of safety. Kidnapping and killing threats are heeded by the villagers ignoring assurances by NATO forces or government officials. Schools, clinics and other service institutions in the villages remain indefinitely shut. Normalizing such a destabilized society to revive government activity in the village side will require immense efforts by the Afghan government, after the US led forces succeed in ending insurgency by eliminating their mid-level commanders.
Though deploying air-power mainly for targeting insurgent elements has emerged as the most feasible option with the US forces , restricting civilian deaths and causalities will serve to aid the government efforts at bringing about transition and transformation.Anti-US and anti west sentiments already sway the people in this region. People are particularly averse to foreign troops and their domination. Close coordination and understanding between US military leadership and Afghan government will prove to be the dire need of thr hour.
Having won presidency twice, Karzai's resourcefulness in dealing with the situation cannot be underestimated. Being a Pashtun himself, he is naturally capable of touching the pulse of various pashtun tribes where taliban insurgency mainly exists.
In order to ensure against security hazards during this transition period, Afghan government has passed a bill banning with effect from December 17,2010 private security agencies controlled by private Afghan individuals or multinational companies, currently operating outside the control of Afghan police or Army ,which at times even run as independent militias. Such agencies provide security to various projects funded by different organizations or governments of international community. But such projects are threatening to wind up their operations and close down due to lack of faith in weak Afghan police and army agencies. This runs counter to bringing about the transformational phase, dependent to a great extent on development activity and the employment it generates. This requires close coordination between international community and Karzai's government.
Karzai has formed a 'peace council' to make overtures to the militants. As the war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily, it will have to be ended by negotiations. Political reconciliation in the country will have to be done carefully and in a most mature manner. US led forces would help facilitate the process by side by side dealing with hardened Taliban and Al Qaeda leadership in a most forceful manner .
This situation should be seen as an opportunity to end antagonistic and hostile approaches between India and Pakistan to bring in the much needed goodwill and conducive environments for peace and progress of the entire region comprising India , Pakistan and Afghanistan.The US president lauded India's role in rebuilding the violence-torn country and asked Pakistan to be a partner in the reconstruction."India's investment in the development of Afghanistan is appreciated," Obama saidAllaying fears of Pakistan about India's alleged interference in Afghanistan, Obama said: "Pakistan has to be a partner in this process (of reconstruction). In fact all countries of the region need to be partners in this process and the US welcomes them. We don't think that we can do this alone."
This latest move aims at weakening the Haqqani network that straddles the border area across Pakistan's tribal belt. Besides, Afghanistan president Karzai has also established contacts with other taliban leaders ready to enter the mainstream to start the much needed work of political reconciliation.
Currently the situation in southern parts of Kandahar region look drastically aggravated. NATO forces have not succeeded in inspiring confidence in the village populace for reasons of lack of safety. Kidnapping and killing threats are heeded by the villagers ignoring assurances by NATO forces or government officials. Schools, clinics and other service institutions in the villages remain indefinitely shut. Normalizing such a destabilized society to revive government activity in the village side will require immense efforts by the Afghan government, after the US led forces succeed in ending insurgency by eliminating their mid-level commanders.
Though deploying air-power mainly for targeting insurgent elements has emerged as the most feasible option with the US forces , restricting civilian deaths and causalities will serve to aid the government efforts at bringing about transition and transformation.Anti-US and anti west sentiments already sway the people in this region. People are particularly averse to foreign troops and their domination. Close coordination and understanding between US military leadership and Afghan government will prove to be the dire need of thr hour.
Having won presidency twice, Karzai's resourcefulness in dealing with the situation cannot be underestimated. Being a Pashtun himself, he is naturally capable of touching the pulse of various pashtun tribes where taliban insurgency mainly exists.
In order to ensure against security hazards during this transition period, Afghan government has passed a bill banning with effect from December 17,2010 private security agencies controlled by private Afghan individuals or multinational companies, currently operating outside the control of Afghan police or Army ,which at times even run as independent militias. Such agencies provide security to various projects funded by different organizations or governments of international community. But such projects are threatening to wind up their operations and close down due to lack of faith in weak Afghan police and army agencies. This runs counter to bringing about the transformational phase, dependent to a great extent on development activity and the employment it generates. This requires close coordination between international community and Karzai's government.
Karzai has formed a 'peace council' to make overtures to the militants. As the war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily, it will have to be ended by negotiations. Political reconciliation in the country will have to be done carefully and in a most mature manner. US led forces would help facilitate the process by side by side dealing with hardened Taliban and Al Qaeda leadership in a most forceful manner .
This situation should be seen as an opportunity to end antagonistic and hostile approaches between India and Pakistan to bring in the much needed goodwill and conducive environments for peace and progress of the entire region comprising India , Pakistan and Afghanistan.The US president lauded India's role in rebuilding the violence-torn country and asked Pakistan to be a partner in the reconstruction."India's investment in the development of Afghanistan is appreciated," Obama saidAllaying fears of Pakistan about India's alleged interference in Afghanistan, Obama said: "Pakistan has to be a partner in this process (of reconstruction). In fact all countries of the region need to be partners in this process and the US welcomes them. We don't think that we can do this alone."
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Egypt, India to strengthen trade relations
Egypt enjoys a leadership role in the Mid-East and has been prominently engaged in Israel-Palestine peace talks. With its economy growing at 7.5 per cent after liberlisation and economic and political reforms,it is a key country in the Arab world.Bilateral relations between India and Egypt have always been most cordial. In an exclusive interview with Arti Bali, HE Khaled El Bakly Ambassador of Egypt to India speaks on various issues.
Excerpts of the interview :
Q: How you are going to boost trade relations between India and Egpyt?
Ans ; The bilateral trade between India and Egypt is on the upswing.Both the countries are focusing on enhancing the bilateral trade to reach a turnover of US $ 5 billion by 2010.The Egyptian exports mainly cover pertrochemicals , oil and gas to which India is already making huge investments.Egypt is desirous of having partnerships in the field of IT with India. We invite the Indian private companies to invest in our country. Around 25 ministerial level meetings took p-lace over the past three years. This was coupled with an important increase in the economic trade and investment figures between our two countries..We also observed an important increase in cultural exchanges.
Q : What is the level of cooperation between the two countries on global issues?
Ans: India and Egypt have enjoyed exceptionally close relations since Nehru-Nasser era and were founding members of Non-Aligned Movement.Egypt and India are now supportive of each other in various global forums like climate change, Doha talks, UNSC reforms and there is a great convergence of interests.
Q Egypt is undertaking a comprehensive economic reform and stabilizing programme. Tell us about the implications and parameters ?
Ans Many of the Arab countries have been going through economic and political reforms for many years ,.Egypt has been focusing on stabilizing the economy improving public finance and exchange rate policies and stabilizing inflation.These reforms have been achieved through policy changes,educational and other measures aiming at the improvement of economic and social welfare.
Q What is your opinion about the Israel-Palestine peace talks?
Ans : The success of these peace talks will depends on firm commitments from both sides to uphold the credibility of the process.Israel’s relentless settlement expansion, which has seriously eroded the prospects for a two state solution must cease, together with its closure of Gaza. For their part, the Palestinians must continue to develop their institutional capacity while overcoming their division to achieve their aspirations for statehood..Even Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said that if Israel does not respect the settlements freeze the Arab League will study some other option aside from the peace process such as going to the United Nations and ask for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
Q How you are going to promote tourism between the two countries?
Ans Egypt is set to welcome Indians to their homeland ,cradle of civilization that represents one of the world’s longest recorded histories visible in its Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern monuments. Tourism figures prominently among the priorities of the Egyptian government the sector is not only the second most important source of foreign currency but is also a major job generating industry.
Excerpts of the interview :
Q: How you are going to boost trade relations between India and Egpyt?
Ans ; The bilateral trade between India and Egypt is on the upswing.Both the countries are focusing on enhancing the bilateral trade to reach a turnover of US $ 5 billion by 2010.The Egyptian exports mainly cover pertrochemicals , oil and gas to which India is already making huge investments.Egypt is desirous of having partnerships in the field of IT with India. We invite the Indian private companies to invest in our country. Around 25 ministerial level meetings took p-lace over the past three years. This was coupled with an important increase in the economic trade and investment figures between our two countries..We also observed an important increase in cultural exchanges.
Q : What is the level of cooperation between the two countries on global issues?
Ans: India and Egypt have enjoyed exceptionally close relations since Nehru-Nasser era and were founding members of Non-Aligned Movement.Egypt and India are now supportive of each other in various global forums like climate change, Doha talks, UNSC reforms and there is a great convergence of interests.
Q Egypt is undertaking a comprehensive economic reform and stabilizing programme. Tell us about the implications and parameters ?
Ans Many of the Arab countries have been going through economic and political reforms for many years ,.Egypt has been focusing on stabilizing the economy improving public finance and exchange rate policies and stabilizing inflation.These reforms have been achieved through policy changes,educational and other measures aiming at the improvement of economic and social welfare.
Q What is your opinion about the Israel-Palestine peace talks?
Ans : The success of these peace talks will depends on firm commitments from both sides to uphold the credibility of the process.Israel’s relentless settlement expansion, which has seriously eroded the prospects for a two state solution must cease, together with its closure of Gaza. For their part, the Palestinians must continue to develop their institutional capacity while overcoming their division to achieve their aspirations for statehood..Even Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said that if Israel does not respect the settlements freeze the Arab League will study some other option aside from the peace process such as going to the United Nations and ask for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
Q How you are going to promote tourism between the two countries?
Ans Egypt is set to welcome Indians to their homeland ,cradle of civilization that represents one of the world’s longest recorded histories visible in its Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern monuments. Tourism figures prominently among the priorities of the Egyptian government the sector is not only the second most important source of foreign currency but is also a major job generating industry.
Fallout of Wikileaks
A recent wikileaks posting online on their website of a huge quantity of 77000 (out of about 92000 gathered by them) classified military documents of war in Afghanistan showing dubious role played by ISI in providing vital information , material and even direct funding to the Taliban insurgents at critical moments of war while Pakistan was fighting as an ally of US-led forces has put the authorities in US and Pakistan in an embarrassing position .
Such double games are being seen as the main cause contributing to the failure of US led war in eradicating terrorism in Afghanistan .Consequently Afghanistan fails to achieve stability, build up requisite government structures and enforce the constitution to carry out development works.
AIMS OF DOUBLE GAME
Aims of Pakistan in these double game are obviously more sinister than mere over-shadowing Afghanistan.They are instead working overtime to keep Afghan society skewed towards extreme fundamentalism that can be easily subverted and employed as proxies against India or to sponsor terrorism globally.With this end in view ISI is trying hard to bargain out a role or share of power to the Taliban and Haqqani networks in the power sharing arrangement in Afghanistan after the US exits the scene. In fact Taliban and Haqqani networks are sought to be kept dormant under ISI influence that can be activated at times to suit their objectives .
The approach adopted by Pakistan basically tends to weaken nationalism in Afghanistan that is otherwise direly needed to lend identity and due place of prominence to the country recovering from instability and political turmoil in this region. Afghan President had been recently seen making worrisome quests in Islamabad for bring normalacy in his country even to the extent of conceding influence to ISI and Pakistan army over matters relating to striking relationship with various factions of Taliban and Afghan warlords.Thus weakening the authority of Afghan President in his own country, degrading the nationalistic sentiments and feelings in Afghanistan and hindering development or aid efforts from neighbouring countries like India actually run counter to the Afghan interests. Afghanistan has the inhereht right to develop as a trading hub for countries of Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Gulf countries in view of its pivotal geographic location and addedly, more so, to lift the people of this country and the region out of dire poverty .Afghanistan’s sovereign interests cannot be curtailed in any manner by another country on any pretext.
Impact of leaks on the course of war
US and Nato forces have taken serious notice of the double games as weakening the war efforts .Various countries have come out openly asking Pakistan authorities to do the requisite ‘ explaining” and take remedial steps. One main factor lacking in Pakistan is the virtual non-existence of civilian supremacy over army and ISI in matters connected with so called security policy and sensitive bits of foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan, America and India .The army mind looks at every prospect through the prism of war manoeuvres and strategies failing to take any call in the greater national and regional interests that may even benefit Pakistan in a big way.The civilian power has often been sidelined and army dictators have ruled this country for most period of its sixty three years of history. As a result Afghanistan has to act boldly to steer clear of Pakistan’s inherent drawbacks due to its ethnic faultlines and non existence of an enlightened civilian authority .
Pentagon’s concerns of Wikileaks
Pentagon has expressed its grave concerns at the damaging effect of Wikileaks .These Leaks provide insights into military tactics and techniques about how US protects its troops in war zones, give out information about the names of Afghan informants and as to how US military cultivates them.It thus puts at risks the lives of Afghan who had cooperated with NATO and US forces. Afghan president has thus called the disclosures of the names of informants “ extremely irresponsible and shocking” Pentagon has also directed Wikileaks to remove 77000 documents so far published on websites and not to publish the remaining 15000 documents so far withheld by them.
Such double games are being seen as the main cause contributing to the failure of US led war in eradicating terrorism in Afghanistan .Consequently Afghanistan fails to achieve stability, build up requisite government structures and enforce the constitution to carry out development works.
AIMS OF DOUBLE GAME
Aims of Pakistan in these double game are obviously more sinister than mere over-shadowing Afghanistan.They are instead working overtime to keep Afghan society skewed towards extreme fundamentalism that can be easily subverted and employed as proxies against India or to sponsor terrorism globally.With this end in view ISI is trying hard to bargain out a role or share of power to the Taliban and Haqqani networks in the power sharing arrangement in Afghanistan after the US exits the scene. In fact Taliban and Haqqani networks are sought to be kept dormant under ISI influence that can be activated at times to suit their objectives .
The approach adopted by Pakistan basically tends to weaken nationalism in Afghanistan that is otherwise direly needed to lend identity and due place of prominence to the country recovering from instability and political turmoil in this region. Afghan President had been recently seen making worrisome quests in Islamabad for bring normalacy in his country even to the extent of conceding influence to ISI and Pakistan army over matters relating to striking relationship with various factions of Taliban and Afghan warlords.Thus weakening the authority of Afghan President in his own country, degrading the nationalistic sentiments and feelings in Afghanistan and hindering development or aid efforts from neighbouring countries like India actually run counter to the Afghan interests. Afghanistan has the inhereht right to develop as a trading hub for countries of Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Gulf countries in view of its pivotal geographic location and addedly, more so, to lift the people of this country and the region out of dire poverty .Afghanistan’s sovereign interests cannot be curtailed in any manner by another country on any pretext.
Impact of leaks on the course of war
US and Nato forces have taken serious notice of the double games as weakening the war efforts .Various countries have come out openly asking Pakistan authorities to do the requisite ‘ explaining” and take remedial steps. One main factor lacking in Pakistan is the virtual non-existence of civilian supremacy over army and ISI in matters connected with so called security policy and sensitive bits of foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan, America and India .The army mind looks at every prospect through the prism of war manoeuvres and strategies failing to take any call in the greater national and regional interests that may even benefit Pakistan in a big way.The civilian power has often been sidelined and army dictators have ruled this country for most period of its sixty three years of history. As a result Afghanistan has to act boldly to steer clear of Pakistan’s inherent drawbacks due to its ethnic faultlines and non existence of an enlightened civilian authority .
Pentagon’s concerns of Wikileaks
Pentagon has expressed its grave concerns at the damaging effect of Wikileaks .These Leaks provide insights into military tactics and techniques about how US protects its troops in war zones, give out information about the names of Afghan informants and as to how US military cultivates them.It thus puts at risks the lives of Afghan who had cooperated with NATO and US forces. Afghan president has thus called the disclosures of the names of informants “ extremely irresponsible and shocking” Pentagon has also directed Wikileaks to remove 77000 documents so far published on websites and not to publish the remaining 15000 documents so far withheld by them.
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