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.
Monday, December 27, 2010
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.
Kashmir crisis:Political parties responsible
As the situation in Kashmir continued to take a still worse turn at every stage within a short period of three months, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will have to take a major portion of the blame .With over eighty deaths of civilians and mobs still defiant of the security forces, the entire valley had to be brought under curfew.
The problem that started with stone pelting of security forces by the youth soon snowballed into serious political, emotional, economic and security issues of gravest concerns for the country. Having gone out of the state administration, the authorities at the centre were unable to find solutions to the vexed issues even in the cabinet Committee on security meeting held in Delhi. All party meet at 7 Race course also ended inconclusively and in order to bring normalcy to the state and redress the grievances and sufferings of the Kashmiri people an all party delegation will shortly visit the valley, facilitated by the home ministry .
Not long ago, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had put their solemn trust in the political leadership that currently rules the state through an alliance of National Conference and the Congress. The situation that started with stone pelting was, however, sought to be handled through bureaucracy and the security personnel.The political leadership was conspicuously absent and not seen as attending to matters of aspiration and hope of the people.
The mainstream parties namely national conference and PDP, vie with each other in upping the political aims of autonomy and self rule mainly for their relevance and vote bank considerations , while the constitution provides ample space for autonomy for the state in financial and allied matters .
But this approach has created a bunch of self-appointed Hurriyat men inciting separatist tendencies among the youth and consequently the people of the valley suffer.The leadership of the mainstream parties should prove their substance by improving the lot of people in matters of economic betterment, imparting education etc.
Compelled to make a comparison with the neighbouring hilly state of Himachal Pradesh that attained statehood in 1967, the level of literacy achieved in that state compares favourably with the most advanced state of India, while the people of Kashmir remain 65% illiterate and cannot read and write.
Then how employment in global context can be generated in this region..Then what kind of job plan had so far been formulated .The political leadership holds solemn pledges while returning to power but soon forget their promises.
The all-party delegation visiting the state of Jammu and Kashmir should speak to the people of state for giving proper direction to development activities for improving the economic, educational and cultural aspect of the people.
The problem that started with stone pelting of security forces by the youth soon snowballed into serious political, emotional, economic and security issues of gravest concerns for the country. Having gone out of the state administration, the authorities at the centre were unable to find solutions to the vexed issues even in the cabinet Committee on security meeting held in Delhi. All party meet at 7 Race course also ended inconclusively and in order to bring normalcy to the state and redress the grievances and sufferings of the Kashmiri people an all party delegation will shortly visit the valley, facilitated by the home ministry .
Not long ago, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had put their solemn trust in the political leadership that currently rules the state through an alliance of National Conference and the Congress. The situation that started with stone pelting was, however, sought to be handled through bureaucracy and the security personnel.The political leadership was conspicuously absent and not seen as attending to matters of aspiration and hope of the people.
The mainstream parties namely national conference and PDP, vie with each other in upping the political aims of autonomy and self rule mainly for their relevance and vote bank considerations , while the constitution provides ample space for autonomy for the state in financial and allied matters .
But this approach has created a bunch of self-appointed Hurriyat men inciting separatist tendencies among the youth and consequently the people of the valley suffer.The leadership of the mainstream parties should prove their substance by improving the lot of people in matters of economic betterment, imparting education etc.
Compelled to make a comparison with the neighbouring hilly state of Himachal Pradesh that attained statehood in 1967, the level of literacy achieved in that state compares favourably with the most advanced state of India, while the people of Kashmir remain 65% illiterate and cannot read and write.
Then how employment in global context can be generated in this region..Then what kind of job plan had so far been formulated .The political leadership holds solemn pledges while returning to power but soon forget their promises.
The all-party delegation visiting the state of Jammu and Kashmir should speak to the people of state for giving proper direction to development activities for improving the economic, educational and cultural aspect of the people.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Pakistan to get F-16 with tough conditions
In an effort to intensify the fight against militants in the country's tribal regions bordering Afghanistan,the US will supply fighter aircraft to Pakistan.Blake said Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Toiba is emerging as a major threat and Pakistan would be asked to deal with it seriously..On the supply of arms by US to Pakistan, Blake said that military relationship between them has been changing and they are meant to deal with the challenges at the Afghanistan border.
“We have had a good dialogue with our Indian friends about this important matter. We assure our Indian friends that the arms sale to Pakistan, the character and the nature of our military relationship is really changing now in Pakistan,” said Blake.
The US will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the end of this month under a series of tough conditions, including an assurance that Islamabad will not use the planes in any conflict with India.
This is the first time the US has publicly stated that it was taking steps to ensure that its military aid to Pakistan would not be used against India.
During last month's Strategic Dialogue between India and the US, Indian leaders had conveyed to their counterparts their concerns over the US military assistance to Pakistan.
Sources said the US Air Force personnel will arrive during the delivery of the F-16s and supervise not only the air base where they will be deployed but also the operations carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Though the jets will be flown by PAF pilots, the logistics, management and control of the F-16s will be with the US personnel.
The Block 50/52 model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles will arrive at the Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad in the last week of June, the sources said. India has been expressing concern over the United States decision to supply hi-tech weapons to Pakistan.
Military officials also pledged to upgrade the level of intelligence exchange between the two countries.United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake had assured India that the supply of hi-tech weapons to Pakistan by the US is meant to deal with the challenges on the Afghanistan border.
India has put the blame on LeT terror outfits for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which at least 166 people, including six Americans were killed
Expressing serious concern over the US government supplying new weapons to Pakistan, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Saturday said that the US government has to ensure that these weapons should not reach in the hands of terrorists and be used against India.
Defense Minister said: “Latest decision of US to provide again sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concerns to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” said A K Antony on the sidelines of function of Indian Coast Guard at Vizhinjam.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India.
“We have had a good dialogue with our Indian friends about this important matter. We assure our Indian friends that the arms sale to Pakistan, the character and the nature of our military relationship is really changing now in Pakistan,” said Blake.
The US will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the end of this month under a series of tough conditions, including an assurance that Islamabad will not use the planes in any conflict with India.
This is the first time the US has publicly stated that it was taking steps to ensure that its military aid to Pakistan would not be used against India.
During last month's Strategic Dialogue between India and the US, Indian leaders had conveyed to their counterparts their concerns over the US military assistance to Pakistan.
Sources said the US Air Force personnel will arrive during the delivery of the F-16s and supervise not only the air base where they will be deployed but also the operations carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Though the jets will be flown by PAF pilots, the logistics, management and control of the F-16s will be with the US personnel.
The Block 50/52 model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles will arrive at the Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad in the last week of June, the sources said. India has been expressing concern over the United States decision to supply hi-tech weapons to Pakistan.
Military officials also pledged to upgrade the level of intelligence exchange between the two countries.United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake had assured India that the supply of hi-tech weapons to Pakistan by the US is meant to deal with the challenges on the Afghanistan border.
India has put the blame on LeT terror outfits for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which at least 166 people, including six Americans were killed
Expressing serious concern over the US government supplying new weapons to Pakistan, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Saturday said that the US government has to ensure that these weapons should not reach in the hands of terrorists and be used against India.
Defense Minister said: “Latest decision of US to provide again sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concerns to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” said A K Antony on the sidelines of function of Indian Coast Guard at Vizhinjam.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Power to change hands in Japan elections
The coming elections in Japan scheduled on 30th August promise to change altogether the economic and political landscape of the country and yet setting it on a varied future course.Poll surveys conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun,Japan’s largest selling newspaper indicate 41 percent vote for the Democratic Party of Japan against 24 percent for the Liberal Democratic Party that has heitherto continuously governed the country since 1955 interrupted only by a spell of 10 months.
Liberal Democratic party currently led by Prime Minister Tara Aso is not viewed favourably by the voter particularly because of his long-term approaches in matters intended to allievate the plight of the people and also since during his party’s last years Japan suffered a prolonged economic stagnation running two decades followed by current recession.This has had a telling effect on the demographics and economic attitude of the Japanese population that turned thrifty and resorted to high saving attitude. Resultantly private savings soared extraordinarily while government debit to fund the spendings mounted alarmingly.As another adverse effect people started postponing marriages and restricting the size of families and now the country is beset with the problem of an ageing and shrinking population with bulk of population in the old age group of past 65 years and fewer people in the younger age group upto 15 years of age.This makes the prospect of economic recovery even more bleak .The world’s second largest economy of Japan therefore finds itself in dire straits.Japan’s utter dependence on other countries for economic performance obliges it to make huge contribution to the International Monetary Fund and dole out huge amounts in the shape of financial stimulus at International and domestic levels.
Tara Aso’s manifesto centres round proactively upholding the global financial and economic order as, according to him, Japan is heavily dependant on other countries for supply of food,resources and energy as well as for markets.He thus talks of a long-term approach “to find social security and low birth rate”after the economic situation improves.Such far off measures to be implemented in distant future do not carry conviction with the people who seem to be yearning for bold and short term innovative solutions.
Hatoyama leading the opposition party Democartic Party of Japan on the other hand pledges for lower corporate and gasoline taxes, raise child support and tuition aid as well as eliminate highway tolls. This spending may push up bond yields and the Yen.Barclays PIC and Morgan Stanley also subscribe to the concept of increased consumer spending “sustainably bolstering economic growth” that apparently inspires voters as reflected in poll surveys. The prospects of Democratic Party of Japan wining the elections have already created positive effects in the economy.
While DPJ stress on increasing welfare outlays may win over older voters who account for a fifth of population the voters are disenchanted by cabinet scandals and divisions within the Aso’s party that have already led to five straight defeats in local elections.
Updated : Thursday, 27 Aug 2009, 15:25 [IST]
Liberal Democratic party currently led by Prime Minister Tara Aso is not viewed favourably by the voter particularly because of his long-term approaches in matters intended to allievate the plight of the people and also since during his party’s last years Japan suffered a prolonged economic stagnation running two decades followed by current recession.This has had a telling effect on the demographics and economic attitude of the Japanese population that turned thrifty and resorted to high saving attitude. Resultantly private savings soared extraordinarily while government debit to fund the spendings mounted alarmingly.As another adverse effect people started postponing marriages and restricting the size of families and now the country is beset with the problem of an ageing and shrinking population with bulk of population in the old age group of past 65 years and fewer people in the younger age group upto 15 years of age.This makes the prospect of economic recovery even more bleak .The world’s second largest economy of Japan therefore finds itself in dire straits.Japan’s utter dependence on other countries for economic performance obliges it to make huge contribution to the International Monetary Fund and dole out huge amounts in the shape of financial stimulus at International and domestic levels.
Tara Aso’s manifesto centres round proactively upholding the global financial and economic order as, according to him, Japan is heavily dependant on other countries for supply of food,resources and energy as well as for markets.He thus talks of a long-term approach “to find social security and low birth rate”after the economic situation improves.Such far off measures to be implemented in distant future do not carry conviction with the people who seem to be yearning for bold and short term innovative solutions.
Hatoyama leading the opposition party Democartic Party of Japan on the other hand pledges for lower corporate and gasoline taxes, raise child support and tuition aid as well as eliminate highway tolls. This spending may push up bond yields and the Yen.Barclays PIC and Morgan Stanley also subscribe to the concept of increased consumer spending “sustainably bolstering economic growth” that apparently inspires voters as reflected in poll surveys. The prospects of Democratic Party of Japan wining the elections have already created positive effects in the economy.
While DPJ stress on increasing welfare outlays may win over older voters who account for a fifth of population the voters are disenchanted by cabinet scandals and divisions within the Aso’s party that have already led to five straight defeats in local elections.
Updated : Thursday, 27 Aug 2009, 15:25 [IST]
Afghans vote for president amid low turnout
Kabul: Afghans voted today to elect a president for only the second time in history as the government and the West acclaimed the ballot despite fears of poor turnout after a day of sporadic Taliban violence. The White House and NATO joined President Hamid Karzai -- who is bidding for another five years in office -- in saying that the war-weary Afghan people had defied threats of militant violence to exercise their democratic rights.
"The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidation and came out to vote," the Western-backed Karzai told a televised news conference as polling wound down, hailing a "day of pride and glory" for the country. Insurgents stormed the small northern town of Baghlan, sparking clashes that left up to 30 militants dead according to the governor, and officials said scattered unrest killed 26 civilians and security personnel. "Overall the security situation has been better than we feared. That is certainly the most positive aspect of these elections," the UN representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, told a news conference. "By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Officials said it would be some days before they could determine how many of the 17 million registered voters had cast their ballots, but Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said the government was "satisfied" with turnout levels. Some independent observers feared turnout was low, however, especially in the south where the Taliban insurgency is at its bloodiest despite a US and NATO campaign to pacify the lawless nation. "Turnout (in Kandahar) is definitely very, very low, significantly lower than in the north," one Western diplomat told AFP, referring to the capital of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. "I have driven around the city (Kabul) and the situation is varying from time to time, but I have seen no queues and it is definitely very quiet, much quieter than in 2004," he added.
There was a turnout of about 70 per cent in the first direct presidential election five years ago. Since then, Western allies have pumped billions more into Afghanistan and deployed thousands more troops to contain the Taliban revolt. "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan," President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Gibbs said however that the United States would withhold judgement until the release of final results, which Afghanistan's election commission says will not come before next month. Afghans were electing a president and 420 councillors in 34 provinces across the country, where grinding poverty, rudimentary infrastructure, corruption, illiteracy and daily bloodshed remain the norm. Voting at some sites was extended beyond the scheduled close of 1130 GMT to accommodate people still lining up. Voters went through security checks before having a finger stamped in indelible ink to prevent repeat voting. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen judged the elections a "success" and said early reports on turnout were "a clear demonstration that the Afghan people want democracy, they want freedom and reject terrorism."
Notable election-day clashes included the multi-pronged assault by Taliban militants in Baghlan and a two-hour shootout between insurgents and Afghan forces in Kabul that killed two militants. "I don't care about the Taliban and their threats. Who do they think they are? We have a government, police, army, the infrastructure of a functioning state. The Taliban are all talk," said 27-year-old Ramin after voting in Kabul. Karzai hopes to win an outright majority to avoid a run-off, but his nervous government ordered a blackout on reporting violence during polling day, threatening journalists with heavy penalties. An energetic campaign by ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who has a northern powerbase and draws on ethnic Tajik support, has boosted the chance of a run-off, which would take place in around six weeks' time. Abdullah's office detailed 40 complaints of electoral irregularities, most of them alleging that officials were commanding people to vote for Karzai. The election authority said it was investigating complaints from candidates, including that the indelible ink could be easily scrubbed off. Western officials played down prospects for entirely free and fair elections given reports of vote-buying and Karzai's reliance on warlords, but said an estimated quarter of a million observers would guard against the worst abuses.
Updated : Friday, 21 Aug 2009, 10:40 [IST]
"The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidation and came out to vote," the Western-backed Karzai told a televised news conference as polling wound down, hailing a "day of pride and glory" for the country. Insurgents stormed the small northern town of Baghlan, sparking clashes that left up to 30 militants dead according to the governor, and officials said scattered unrest killed 26 civilians and security personnel. "Overall the security situation has been better than we feared. That is certainly the most positive aspect of these elections," the UN representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, told a news conference. "By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Officials said it would be some days before they could determine how many of the 17 million registered voters had cast their ballots, but Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said the government was "satisfied" with turnout levels. Some independent observers feared turnout was low, however, especially in the south where the Taliban insurgency is at its bloodiest despite a US and NATO campaign to pacify the lawless nation. "Turnout (in Kandahar) is definitely very, very low, significantly lower than in the north," one Western diplomat told AFP, referring to the capital of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. "I have driven around the city (Kabul) and the situation is varying from time to time, but I have seen no queues and it is definitely very quiet, much quieter than in 2004," he added.
There was a turnout of about 70 per cent in the first direct presidential election five years ago. Since then, Western allies have pumped billions more into Afghanistan and deployed thousands more troops to contain the Taliban revolt. "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan," President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Gibbs said however that the United States would withhold judgement until the release of final results, which Afghanistan's election commission says will not come before next month. Afghans were electing a president and 420 councillors in 34 provinces across the country, where grinding poverty, rudimentary infrastructure, corruption, illiteracy and daily bloodshed remain the norm. Voting at some sites was extended beyond the scheduled close of 1130 GMT to accommodate people still lining up. Voters went through security checks before having a finger stamped in indelible ink to prevent repeat voting. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen judged the elections a "success" and said early reports on turnout were "a clear demonstration that the Afghan people want democracy, they want freedom and reject terrorism."
Notable election-day clashes included the multi-pronged assault by Taliban militants in Baghlan and a two-hour shootout between insurgents and Afghan forces in Kabul that killed two militants. "I don't care about the Taliban and their threats. Who do they think they are? We have a government, police, army, the infrastructure of a functioning state. The Taliban are all talk," said 27-year-old Ramin after voting in Kabul. Karzai hopes to win an outright majority to avoid a run-off, but his nervous government ordered a blackout on reporting violence during polling day, threatening journalists with heavy penalties. An energetic campaign by ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who has a northern powerbase and draws on ethnic Tajik support, has boosted the chance of a run-off, which would take place in around six weeks' time. Abdullah's office detailed 40 complaints of electoral irregularities, most of them alleging that officials were commanding people to vote for Karzai. The election authority said it was investigating complaints from candidates, including that the indelible ink could be easily scrubbed off. Western officials played down prospects for entirely free and fair elections given reports of vote-buying and Karzai's reliance on warlords, but said an estimated quarter of a million observers would guard against the worst abuses.
Updated : Friday, 21 Aug 2009, 10:40 [IST]
Regional impact of Afghanistan elections
US faces its severest test in the outcome of coming August 20 Presidential and Provincial councils elections in Afghanistan.The outcome of these elections will determine the success achieved by the Obama administration in giving the desired political shape to this country and whether the country will be able to surmount its internal divisive and ethnic forces and further rid itself of the menace of Taliban and al Qaeda combine that threatens major cities and economics across the world .In the process Afghanistan may avail the opportunity to establish itself as a grand old country with meaningful relevance to its neighbourhood in Central Asia, Mid-East and various countries in the SAARC region. Because only such a mandate of the Afghanis in these elections will befit its national pride and rid the country of a rather derogatory cliché of being a ‘fulcrum for power in the region’ though several powers that tried to gain power by occupying this country in recent years as well as in the nineteenth century (the British empire) failed miserably. These elections thus present the lofty prospects for Afghanistan to re-establish itself as a strong nation with meaningful relations with neighbouring countries in the Central Asian region as well as Iran, India ,Pakistan, China,Russia and the US ,enabling it land routes through Iran to the gulf region through Pakistan to the Arabian sea and through Caucasus to Eurasia and other European countries.
After assuming presidency, Obama thus seriously set out on a sustained course of all round diplomacy as well as strategic military action in the “Af-Pak” area. He offered to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran that could help stabilize this country and provide alternative land route connecting Afghanistan with the Persian gulf and the Arabian sea .Again Obama visited Moscow on July 7th engaging the Russians with major foreign policy initiatives and options and succeeded in securing a concession for American aircrafts to fly through Russian airspace for carrying troops and equipment to Afghanistan to deal with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda menace. President Obama said “America has a clear goal:to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.We seek no bases,nor do we want to control these nations.Instead,we want to work with international partners,including Russia,to help Afghans and Pakistanis advance their own security and prosperity”. The routes previously used through the lawless tribal belt of Pakistan were proving to be counterproductive due to the complicity of tribal people in Taliban phenomenon on both sides of the Durrand line. This also brought home to the Kremlin the convergence of American and Russian interests in stabilizing the region of the central Asia. Similarly in the Swat valley area and adjoining districts in Pakistan where Taliban had almost wrested the control of major Pashtun territory and enforced sharia to morphe the said area into their stronghold that could later promote their interests in spreading further and ultimately overtake the state of Pakistan and later launch a world wide jehad. Obama administration successfully pressurized Pakistan to deploy its forces to exterminate the Taliban from the newly acquired areas as well as from other areas of NWFP where they had already spread their wings.
The latest visit of Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State to India was also aimed at harmonizing and substantially improving the relations between India and Pakistan and in ensuring a joint approach to the menace that threatened to take over the state of Pakistan with the set objective of starting jehad against India.This latest visit of the Secretary of State has obviously also sent meaningful and clear messages to the people of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban cadres that the insurgency there may be on its last legs.In view of this changing scenario talks are quietly and steadily progressing between moderate leaders of the Talibans and representatives of the Afghan and US governments aimed at reconciliation where moderate elements of the Taliban would have a stake in the outcome. Simultaneously US and NATO forces have substantially stepped up military action against active Taliban cadres to bring down the morale of less committed rural folk. According to some estimates, active and hard-line Taliban insurgents roughly number only around 15000 but are supported by a large grouping of rural Talibans supporters who provide assistance to the insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan. It is this large grouping that is sought to be dissuaded after they sense the Taliban prospects to be bleak .
It may not be out of context to refer to the topography of the rugged mountains that provide scarce resources and thus drive the Pashtuns of the tribal belt to make random incursions beyond their borders whenever they sense slackness in security over there.When beaten back they retreat back into the mountains that provide shelter and defence.They owe tribal and sub tribal loyalties but equations between different tribes also change constantly.At times they emerge as huge militias in the shape of Talibans or any other form and launch major assaults .Resultantly hey possess sizable qualities of arms,ammunition and sorts of heavy armaments plundered from Soviets forces and provided by US during anti-Soviets operations as well as left behind or cornored from US and NATO forces during the current conflict started in the year 2001. Currently the Talibans harbour strong ambitions to seize and acquire nuclear assets of Pakistan in view of deteriorating conditions over there.This looks frightening. The region comprising Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan is also home to narcotic and arms smuggling and human trafficking that also created havoc in the neighbourhood. Thanks to elimination of LTTE in Sri Lanka, peace process in Nepal that ended the Maoist activity in that country, recent vigorous approach in India to the Maoists in the “Red Corridor” that runs from Orissa to Nepal, the chains of arms smugglers may vanish wiping out criminal activity in this region.
With as much as 41 candidates contesting for the top slot of Presidency, the way these elections may impact the political climate of the country is yet not clear. But the observers say that the number of contestants will definitely shrink considerably with most of them withdrawing in favour of prominent persons just before the last date of election.And the image and personality effect of the remaining candidates may also help change the political climate . Karzai is widely considered the front runner in this campaign.Dr Abdullah Abdullah has emerged as another main contender for Presidency. He enjoys the backing of the largest opposition group, the National Front representing those that have moved away from the Nation’s reliance on warlords and other Mujahadeen leaders .He also promises to build Afghan institutions so that foreign troops could go home soon and has raised issues of curbing corruption, shifting the focus on grassroot development as well as seriously engaging towards reconciliation with Talibans .However in a recent development and a major blow to the National Front supporting Abdullah Abdullah,Karzai has nominated Marshal Fahim the founder member of national Front as his Vice President in the forthcoming elections that may enable him to get a good number of Tajik and Panjsheri votes. Further Hazara leader Karim Khalili has also been nominated as a Vice-President ensuring Hazara tribe support to Karzai.Other prominent contenders include former finance minister Ahmadzai,a former Afghan Defence Minister Shah Nawaz Tanaj and Mullah Abdul Salem Rocketi. Around 17 million Afghans voters who are mostly war-weary and have suffered enormously due to prolonged instability are expected to vote prudently as they seek employment and economic recovery .This electoral process taking place in the context of rapidly changing environments brought about by Obama administration with tacit understanding from Iran and Russia and India-Pakistan engagement may yet see the transformation of Afghanistan and the SAARC countries into a better region.
Updated : Friday, 31 Jul 2009, 15:27 [IST]
After assuming presidency, Obama thus seriously set out on a sustained course of all round diplomacy as well as strategic military action in the “Af-Pak” area. He offered to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran that could help stabilize this country and provide alternative land route connecting Afghanistan with the Persian gulf and the Arabian sea .Again Obama visited Moscow on July 7th engaging the Russians with major foreign policy initiatives and options and succeeded in securing a concession for American aircrafts to fly through Russian airspace for carrying troops and equipment to Afghanistan to deal with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda menace. President Obama said “America has a clear goal:to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.We seek no bases,nor do we want to control these nations.Instead,we want to work with international partners,including Russia,to help Afghans and Pakistanis advance their own security and prosperity”. The routes previously used through the lawless tribal belt of Pakistan were proving to be counterproductive due to the complicity of tribal people in Taliban phenomenon on both sides of the Durrand line. This also brought home to the Kremlin the convergence of American and Russian interests in stabilizing the region of the central Asia. Similarly in the Swat valley area and adjoining districts in Pakistan where Taliban had almost wrested the control of major Pashtun territory and enforced sharia to morphe the said area into their stronghold that could later promote their interests in spreading further and ultimately overtake the state of Pakistan and later launch a world wide jehad. Obama administration successfully pressurized Pakistan to deploy its forces to exterminate the Taliban from the newly acquired areas as well as from other areas of NWFP where they had already spread their wings.
The latest visit of Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State to India was also aimed at harmonizing and substantially improving the relations between India and Pakistan and in ensuring a joint approach to the menace that threatened to take over the state of Pakistan with the set objective of starting jehad against India.This latest visit of the Secretary of State has obviously also sent meaningful and clear messages to the people of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban cadres that the insurgency there may be on its last legs.In view of this changing scenario talks are quietly and steadily progressing between moderate leaders of the Talibans and representatives of the Afghan and US governments aimed at reconciliation where moderate elements of the Taliban would have a stake in the outcome. Simultaneously US and NATO forces have substantially stepped up military action against active Taliban cadres to bring down the morale of less committed rural folk. According to some estimates, active and hard-line Taliban insurgents roughly number only around 15000 but are supported by a large grouping of rural Talibans supporters who provide assistance to the insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan. It is this large grouping that is sought to be dissuaded after they sense the Taliban prospects to be bleak .
It may not be out of context to refer to the topography of the rugged mountains that provide scarce resources and thus drive the Pashtuns of the tribal belt to make random incursions beyond their borders whenever they sense slackness in security over there.When beaten back they retreat back into the mountains that provide shelter and defence.They owe tribal and sub tribal loyalties but equations between different tribes also change constantly.At times they emerge as huge militias in the shape of Talibans or any other form and launch major assaults .Resultantly hey possess sizable qualities of arms,ammunition and sorts of heavy armaments plundered from Soviets forces and provided by US during anti-Soviets operations as well as left behind or cornored from US and NATO forces during the current conflict started in the year 2001. Currently the Talibans harbour strong ambitions to seize and acquire nuclear assets of Pakistan in view of deteriorating conditions over there.This looks frightening. The region comprising Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan is also home to narcotic and arms smuggling and human trafficking that also created havoc in the neighbourhood. Thanks to elimination of LTTE in Sri Lanka, peace process in Nepal that ended the Maoist activity in that country, recent vigorous approach in India to the Maoists in the “Red Corridor” that runs from Orissa to Nepal, the chains of arms smugglers may vanish wiping out criminal activity in this region.
With as much as 41 candidates contesting for the top slot of Presidency, the way these elections may impact the political climate of the country is yet not clear. But the observers say that the number of contestants will definitely shrink considerably with most of them withdrawing in favour of prominent persons just before the last date of election.And the image and personality effect of the remaining candidates may also help change the political climate . Karzai is widely considered the front runner in this campaign.Dr Abdullah Abdullah has emerged as another main contender for Presidency. He enjoys the backing of the largest opposition group, the National Front representing those that have moved away from the Nation’s reliance on warlords and other Mujahadeen leaders .He also promises to build Afghan institutions so that foreign troops could go home soon and has raised issues of curbing corruption, shifting the focus on grassroot development as well as seriously engaging towards reconciliation with Talibans .However in a recent development and a major blow to the National Front supporting Abdullah Abdullah,Karzai has nominated Marshal Fahim the founder member of national Front as his Vice President in the forthcoming elections that may enable him to get a good number of Tajik and Panjsheri votes. Further Hazara leader Karim Khalili has also been nominated as a Vice-President ensuring Hazara tribe support to Karzai.Other prominent contenders include former finance minister Ahmadzai,a former Afghan Defence Minister Shah Nawaz Tanaj and Mullah Abdul Salem Rocketi. Around 17 million Afghans voters who are mostly war-weary and have suffered enormously due to prolonged instability are expected to vote prudently as they seek employment and economic recovery .This electoral process taking place in the context of rapidly changing environments brought about by Obama administration with tacit understanding from Iran and Russia and India-Pakistan engagement may yet see the transformation of Afghanistan and the SAARC countries into a better region.
Updated : Friday, 31 Jul 2009, 15:27 [IST]
Iran validates its presidential election
As Iran’s highest electoral authority ,the Guardian Council ,on June 30,2009 validated the “Vote” for the country’s Presidential election with its spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodai emphatically declaring “From today the file on the presidential election has been closed",the verdict draws a final curtain over the recent happenings in Iran .This proclamation followed after a “randomly selecting and recounting of 10 percent of nearly 40 million ballots”. Recalling the special features and aspects of this particular election that eventually led to the mistaken notions of massive electoral support in the minds of the defeated candidates and their supporters,days ahead of these elections, groups of youngsters started staging dance shows on the streets of Tehran to build support for their respective candidates. These images were soon picked up and flashed across various websites. Bloggers further enhanced the media hype.The atmosphere was considerably romanticized and one of the candidate Mir Hussein Moussavi even carried on his canvassing for votes accompanied by his wife. But as the opposition candidates stood defeated in the results of the election, the youngsters and supporters of various defeated candidates began organizing protest rallies .According to authorities these youngsters indulged in violence at some places but the foreign media deliberately showed it as a stand off between the protestors and the security forces thereby further enraging the public .Iran authorities allege that foreign media and some foreign elements thereafter exploited the situation to create lawlessness. “Suspicious” death of a young Iranian women Neda Agha-Soltan made her an icon of the opposition protests. Ahmadinejad has, however, sent a letter to the judiciary chief Ayotollah Hashmi Shahroudi for a probe into this death and identify “the elements” behind her killing.Nine local employees of the British embassy were arrested to investigate the suspected role of British embassy staff but five of them were later let off.The results of detailed investigations by Iran’s authorities can only clarify the extent of role by foreign elements in these happenings . The West has already been showing a somewhat hostile attitude towards Iran and particularly towards Ahmadinejad being a known hardliner .Mac Cain the Republican rival of Obama in the recent presidential elections thus openly accused him of missing the opportunity of putting Iran in a tight corner over this issue.The aim was obviously to hit at the national pride of Iran .Though Obama whose diplomatic challenges already extend from Iraq, Afghanistan to Af-Pak area and Palestinian issue was treading very cautiously necessitated by delicate handling of situation in the area but the Iranian authorities allege that he did later fall into the trap in a press conference. Iran’s predicament lies in carrying out the developmental efforts in the face of economic sanctions and a hostile “foreign” media while Obama has to display the skills of bringing about improvement and amicable relations among various countries in the mid-east
Updated : Thursday, 30 Jul 2009, 16:03 [IST]
Updated : Thursday, 30 Jul 2009, 16:03 [IST]
Pakistan's inadequate response
As Pakistan turns a blind eye to the Taliban threat that seriously endangers its security and also wrests control over SWAT valley and adjoining districts of Bunner,Shangla and Dir,the concerns of US and the west grow manifold and assume still greater proportions.More so since this menace also effects them gravely as Al-Qaeda,talibans and other terrorists outfits have been carrying out disruptive activities in major cities across the world to strike fear and derail world economies.
With Talibans advancing even within 100 KM of Pakistani capital of Islamabad,the resistance shown by police and paramilitary forces of Pakistan appeared only minimal.And that also not until Obama diplomatically referred to the possibility of involving Nawaz Sharif and the army chief for better results and even hold a trilateral summit of the Presidents of US,Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington that an aerial offensive with troops deployment on a proper scale was undertaken to flush out the terrorists after civilian population shifted to different places. Taliban menace in Pakistan broadly emanate from the tribal belt located in the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) which though located in the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan functions outside its administrative control through different agencies.This tribal pashtun population owes narrow tribal and sub-tribal loyalties that may change overnight.They live in a society of gun culture with high instances of kidnapping and hijacking. Alongwith Afghanistan,this area is also home to trafficking in narcotics and arms.These areas are therefore nourished for irregular militias that can be used for waging proxy wars.ISI and some elements in the pak army wield influence over these militias .Naturally terrorist outfits are sponsored that have been spreading violence in India and around in Sri Lanka,Bangladesh and Nepal.To quote an instance after 26/11 terrorist strike in Mumbai,Talibans declared unequivocally to invade India alongwith Pak army in case of war as part of jihad.To overcome this complex menace,creating tough regional environment by involving India,Iran,Russia,China and US are necessary to steadily curb this menace.
The instant Taliban activity in Pakistan is taking place under a set objective that can be analyzed as under:
First,Talibans wresting control of additional Pashtun territory is attributed to their desire of rapidly increasing pashtun area under their operation.
Second,by imposing their own brand of sharai laws they intend to so morph the society as to sufficiently hinder and impede action to dislodge them.
Third,since nuclear assets of Pakistan are implicitly located in the proximity of this area,a morphed society will eventually facilitate such assets falling into their hands.
Fourth,the terrorists are now also shifting their area of operation in the gulf of Aden and in the vicinity of somalian shores where piracy is rampant that make the matters more complicated and an immediate action even more urgent.
This also explains why Pakistan repeatedly prefers the pretence of obsession with India as a threat to its security than its existential internal threat from Taliban ignoring even the sound counsel from US and the Wet.India in the meanwhile has no choice but to be prepared for the ultimate eventuality
Updated : Sunday, 10 May 2009, 15:57 [IST]
With Talibans advancing even within 100 KM of Pakistani capital of Islamabad,the resistance shown by police and paramilitary forces of Pakistan appeared only minimal.And that also not until Obama diplomatically referred to the possibility of involving Nawaz Sharif and the army chief for better results and even hold a trilateral summit of the Presidents of US,Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington that an aerial offensive with troops deployment on a proper scale was undertaken to flush out the terrorists after civilian population shifted to different places. Taliban menace in Pakistan broadly emanate from the tribal belt located in the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) which though located in the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan functions outside its administrative control through different agencies.This tribal pashtun population owes narrow tribal and sub-tribal loyalties that may change overnight.They live in a society of gun culture with high instances of kidnapping and hijacking. Alongwith Afghanistan,this area is also home to trafficking in narcotics and arms.These areas are therefore nourished for irregular militias that can be used for waging proxy wars.ISI and some elements in the pak army wield influence over these militias .Naturally terrorist outfits are sponsored that have been spreading violence in India and around in Sri Lanka,Bangladesh and Nepal.To quote an instance after 26/11 terrorist strike in Mumbai,Talibans declared unequivocally to invade India alongwith Pak army in case of war as part of jihad.To overcome this complex menace,creating tough regional environment by involving India,Iran,Russia,China and US are necessary to steadily curb this menace.
The instant Taliban activity in Pakistan is taking place under a set objective that can be analyzed as under:
First,Talibans wresting control of additional Pashtun territory is attributed to their desire of rapidly increasing pashtun area under their operation.
Second,by imposing their own brand of sharai laws they intend to so morph the society as to sufficiently hinder and impede action to dislodge them.
Third,since nuclear assets of Pakistan are implicitly located in the proximity of this area,a morphed society will eventually facilitate such assets falling into their hands.
Fourth,the terrorists are now also shifting their area of operation in the gulf of Aden and in the vicinity of somalian shores where piracy is rampant that make the matters more complicated and an immediate action even more urgent.
This also explains why Pakistan repeatedly prefers the pretence of obsession with India as a threat to its security than its existential internal threat from Taliban ignoring even the sound counsel from US and the Wet.India in the meanwhile has no choice but to be prepared for the ultimate eventuality
Updated : Sunday, 10 May 2009, 15:57 [IST]
Asia's emerging role: Hideaki Domichi
With Japan,India and China destined to contribute significantly as centre of growth in these days of severe global recession,stage is also set for these countries to play a world leadership role which could also harmonise their relations and strategic concerns. H.E. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japan to India in an exclusive interview to Arti Bali speaks of Japan favouring India’s permanent seat in UNSC and its proper representation in various UN bodies and other institutions .
Excerpts:
. Q Will Japan support for India’s permanent seat in UN?.
.
A Certainly we have teamed up India, Japan, Germany and Brazil-to push forward for reform of UN and UNSC. I think that India is recognized by the international community to play bigger role globally both in terms of economy and policies. We are in agreement with India that there ought to be UN reforms to make it more workable to address the various issues the world is faced with..
.
. Q India is a huge market with strong fundamentals and sound business traditions. How do you see the scope of an enhanced Japan’s investment and cooperation in this country? ..
A We recognize India as a huge and potential market. In fact Japanese Direct Investment into India has grown rapidly in recent years. The investment from Japan has tripled in the year 2007. Despite economic slowdown, Japanese believe that Indian market will remain unaffected. As India soon emerges as one of the biggest economies, they believe that India offers great potential and opportunities to the Japanese companies. ..
. .
Q How about scientific and technological collaboration between India and Japan to check climate change in same sort? ..
. A There is lots of interests from Indian business in Japanese environmental technologies, for instance solar energies or super critical technologies for power stations. We are also trying to introduce energy efficient technologies and promote research to convert Indian coal to a more environmentally friendly energy source. .
. . Q How do you view N Korea’s recent missile launch, especially in terms of military balance in the Pacific region? ..
.
A North Korea Missile launch was a clear violation of the UN Security Council’s resolution 1696 and 1718, which stipulate that DPRK shall suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program. The missile launch was also a threat to Japan as its trajectory was intended to be over the territory of Japan. Therefore we have deployed the missile defense system in case of the failure of the launch in cooperation with US. Any upgrading of these missile technologies by DPRK can also be a threat to other countries. Therefore after the missile launch, UNSC agreed to condemn the launch and called the DPRK to observe the successive resolutions. We also want the DPRK to return to the six-party talks and relinquish any nuclear or missile related programme. ..
. Q China has initiated a move aimed at replacing the role of dollar as an international currency as manifested in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and also seeking alternative baskets of currencies ultimately aimed at replacing dollar. What is your response in this regard? ..
. A You may remember the recent G-20 summit in London where they agreed to create the SDR of $250 billion in order to increase the international liquidity. Out of this $250 billion, $100 billion will be distributed to the emerging economy as well as developing countries. But this does not mean SDR will replace dollar, because any allocation of SDR to a specific country can be made through arrangements to borrow the dollar reserve from a country that has accumulated the foreign exchange particularly in dollars. The SDR in our view cannot replace dollar as a means of international settlement. ..
. Q Do you view any concerns about the expanded role sought by China in ADB, IMF and the World Bank and other institutional bodies? .
A In the G20 summit, it was agreed to increase the voices as well as the representations of the emerging economies. In ADB there will be 200% general capital increase. In IMF probably the quota will be reviewed by 2011.Therefore under the broad agreement we expect China as well as India to press for increased representations in those international Organizations. This is subject to negotiations and we expect very serious and hard negotiations ahead. .
Q What is present thinking about the revision of your constitution given the changing military balance in the region? .
.
A Well, a law has been passed recently to specify the procedures to amend our constitution but this does not mean that Japan is changing its constitution, particularly on the clauses which we call Art -9 that Japan relinquishes the use of force as a means of settlement of international disputes. . .
.
Q There is rising piracy near the Somalian Coast, What is Japan’s response to this menace? .
. A This is a serious issue. We know that the ships going through this area have been attacked and the crew have been taken as hostages and huge ransom money is demanded. The Japanese ships are also being targeted. We have sent two destroyers to the area concerned and will soon add a surveillance aircraft to cover the wider area .This is the vast area of the seas so it is not easy to detect the piracy and take measures. A bill is now being presented to our parliament to legally authorize our Defense Forces to be deployed in that area and make our operations more effective. ..
. Q How will Japan support India in NSG? ..
A US-India civil nuclear deal was endorsed by IAEA and NSG and as a member of these institutions, we supported the decision but this is an exception due to India’s unique position. It was because India’s commitment for non-proliferation as well as necessity of expansion of role of civil nuclear facility facing increasing demands of electricity and environmental problems. It was a clear exception of NPT. We recognize the nuclear deal with US is at the stages of operationalisation. In order to make this a reality there are some steps that India ought to take i.e. separation of military and civilian facilities. India has to present this to IAEA. Therefore I think the progress will be made on those measures that India has committed to. Also there is an interest whether nuclear liability law will pass the parliament after the general election. ..
.
Q How do you visualize China’s rise as economic power? ..
A I believe in a decade or so China will become global economic power, in the meantime we expect India will become large economy as well. As you know India’s economy is as large as economy of the whole ASEAN countries already .In Asia we have three biggest economies India, Japan and China. ..
Q Do you approve the economic integration of India, China and Japan? ..
A Here in India, we often hear the argument about China’s role. However, it seems to me that the area for cooperation is also expanding as both India and China need each other and for their co-prosperity. The creation of Asian order that can allow the co-prosperity to exist could be the best scenario. When it comes to individual issues we see differences and even seeds of conflict. It depends on how the leaderships can manage it. Integration of economies will generally serve to alleviate any potential conflict. ..
.
Q. You mean to say that integration of economy will serve the purpose of addressing security concerns? ..
A Not automatically, talking about the security, one has to consider the worst. That is the mentality of the security arrangements. Confidence Building measures are sometimes required. On the other hand, the more economic integration progress which involves the movement of the people, the more difficult will it be for a country to escalate conflict. ..
. Q. In comparison to President Bush, President Obama has adopted the re engagement policy in South Asia, What are your views? ..
.
A We support the initiatives taken by the new President of the United States. Although we may not be able to expect a quick result, the will of engagement by the United States can make it easier for other countries to follow the step. . Updated : Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 14:31
Excerpts:
. Q Will Japan support for India’s permanent seat in UN?.
.
A Certainly we have teamed up India, Japan, Germany and Brazil-to push forward for reform of UN and UNSC. I think that India is recognized by the international community to play bigger role globally both in terms of economy and policies. We are in agreement with India that there ought to be UN reforms to make it more workable to address the various issues the world is faced with..
.
. Q India is a huge market with strong fundamentals and sound business traditions. How do you see the scope of an enhanced Japan’s investment and cooperation in this country? ..
A We recognize India as a huge and potential market. In fact Japanese Direct Investment into India has grown rapidly in recent years. The investment from Japan has tripled in the year 2007. Despite economic slowdown, Japanese believe that Indian market will remain unaffected. As India soon emerges as one of the biggest economies, they believe that India offers great potential and opportunities to the Japanese companies. ..
. .
Q How about scientific and technological collaboration between India and Japan to check climate change in same sort? ..
. A There is lots of interests from Indian business in Japanese environmental technologies, for instance solar energies or super critical technologies for power stations. We are also trying to introduce energy efficient technologies and promote research to convert Indian coal to a more environmentally friendly energy source. .
. . Q How do you view N Korea’s recent missile launch, especially in terms of military balance in the Pacific region? ..
.
A North Korea Missile launch was a clear violation of the UN Security Council’s resolution 1696 and 1718, which stipulate that DPRK shall suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program. The missile launch was also a threat to Japan as its trajectory was intended to be over the territory of Japan. Therefore we have deployed the missile defense system in case of the failure of the launch in cooperation with US. Any upgrading of these missile technologies by DPRK can also be a threat to other countries. Therefore after the missile launch, UNSC agreed to condemn the launch and called the DPRK to observe the successive resolutions. We also want the DPRK to return to the six-party talks and relinquish any nuclear or missile related programme. ..
. Q China has initiated a move aimed at replacing the role of dollar as an international currency as manifested in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and also seeking alternative baskets of currencies ultimately aimed at replacing dollar. What is your response in this regard? ..
. A You may remember the recent G-20 summit in London where they agreed to create the SDR of $250 billion in order to increase the international liquidity. Out of this $250 billion, $100 billion will be distributed to the emerging economy as well as developing countries. But this does not mean SDR will replace dollar, because any allocation of SDR to a specific country can be made through arrangements to borrow the dollar reserve from a country that has accumulated the foreign exchange particularly in dollars. The SDR in our view cannot replace dollar as a means of international settlement. ..
. Q Do you view any concerns about the expanded role sought by China in ADB, IMF and the World Bank and other institutional bodies? .
A In the G20 summit, it was agreed to increase the voices as well as the representations of the emerging economies. In ADB there will be 200% general capital increase. In IMF probably the quota will be reviewed by 2011.Therefore under the broad agreement we expect China as well as India to press for increased representations in those international Organizations. This is subject to negotiations and we expect very serious and hard negotiations ahead. .
Q What is present thinking about the revision of your constitution given the changing military balance in the region? .
.
A Well, a law has been passed recently to specify the procedures to amend our constitution but this does not mean that Japan is changing its constitution, particularly on the clauses which we call Art -9 that Japan relinquishes the use of force as a means of settlement of international disputes. . .
.
Q There is rising piracy near the Somalian Coast, What is Japan’s response to this menace? .
. A This is a serious issue. We know that the ships going through this area have been attacked and the crew have been taken as hostages and huge ransom money is demanded. The Japanese ships are also being targeted. We have sent two destroyers to the area concerned and will soon add a surveillance aircraft to cover the wider area .This is the vast area of the seas so it is not easy to detect the piracy and take measures. A bill is now being presented to our parliament to legally authorize our Defense Forces to be deployed in that area and make our operations more effective. ..
. Q How will Japan support India in NSG? ..
A US-India civil nuclear deal was endorsed by IAEA and NSG and as a member of these institutions, we supported the decision but this is an exception due to India’s unique position. It was because India’s commitment for non-proliferation as well as necessity of expansion of role of civil nuclear facility facing increasing demands of electricity and environmental problems. It was a clear exception of NPT. We recognize the nuclear deal with US is at the stages of operationalisation. In order to make this a reality there are some steps that India ought to take i.e. separation of military and civilian facilities. India has to present this to IAEA. Therefore I think the progress will be made on those measures that India has committed to. Also there is an interest whether nuclear liability law will pass the parliament after the general election. ..
.
Q How do you visualize China’s rise as economic power? ..
A I believe in a decade or so China will become global economic power, in the meantime we expect India will become large economy as well. As you know India’s economy is as large as economy of the whole ASEAN countries already .In Asia we have three biggest economies India, Japan and China. ..
Q Do you approve the economic integration of India, China and Japan? ..
A Here in India, we often hear the argument about China’s role. However, it seems to me that the area for cooperation is also expanding as both India and China need each other and for their co-prosperity. The creation of Asian order that can allow the co-prosperity to exist could be the best scenario. When it comes to individual issues we see differences and even seeds of conflict. It depends on how the leaderships can manage it. Integration of economies will generally serve to alleviate any potential conflict. ..
.
Q. You mean to say that integration of economy will serve the purpose of addressing security concerns? ..
A Not automatically, talking about the security, one has to consider the worst. That is the mentality of the security arrangements. Confidence Building measures are sometimes required. On the other hand, the more economic integration progress which involves the movement of the people, the more difficult will it be for a country to escalate conflict. ..
. Q. In comparison to President Bush, President Obama has adopted the re engagement policy in South Asia, What are your views? ..
.
A We support the initiatives taken by the new President of the United States. Although we may not be able to expect a quick result, the will of engagement by the United States can make it easier for other countries to follow the step. . Updated : Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 14:31
The strategic issues in Iran
With Iranian Presidential elections approaching in June 2009 and US seeking ‘Direct diplomacy’ with Iran over nuclear enrichment programme various issues are engaging public mind in the country. Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Speaker H.E.ALI LARIJANI speaks to ARTI BALI in Tehran about the vision of parliament, its structure of decision making and strategic issues
.. Excerpts of Interview
QWhat is the vision of your Parliament?
Ans We have made certain priorities based on our vision in economic,political and diplomatic areas . First ,Iranian Parliament is an absolute independent body .This branch has connections and relationships with other branches of the country but for decision making it enjoys an absolute independent mechanism .Secondly the Parliament pays special attention to economics We have an outlook macro plan for the country that guides us and parliament enacts the laws and regulations that facilitate the fulfillment of this plan .this involves huge volume of the activity.We need new laws to be ratified .And also new positions and relations need to be defined As regards to diplomacy we have defined a specific path that is Parliamentary diplomacy that actually serve as a catalyst for the fulfillment of the policies of the country.
Q What about the decision making structure in Iran?
Ans The most strategic issues are decided by the supreme leader.Others issues fall under the duties and responsibilities of other branches of the country. The Supreme leader does not interfere with the affairs of executive and legislative branch.The government is directly responsible for inflation.The strategic decisions are made by Supreme Leader with regards to advanced technologies like nuclear issue,nano technology and bio technology .
Q You are in favour of changing some laws What are those?
Q. Do you think Barack Obama will recognize Iran’s right of enriching Urnaium?
Ans We don’t need the US seal of approval to go ahead with our peaceful nuclear enrichment programme .We definitely move along with a international norms,systems and organizations. If a country is moving within a framework of IAEA and actually conforms to its regulations ,but then, there is another country that denies this country’s right,then it is that country that needs to be responsible and has to answer..
This too is a part of a policy of denying Iran and its revolution that the US has been following but we are well passed that stage.The international conditions and situations right now do not accept such an adventurism. All countries must respect all the international norms and regulations.
Q .What are the conditions for opening dialogue with US, any positive signals from your side ?
Ans We don’t want to go into negotiations without any preparations .Negotiations are like a tool . In politics one is not supposed to give charming and attractive speeches to the media. We do need to see a change in behaviour and they need to have proper understanding of the situation and the region and they have to understand what were the factors that led to the crisis of the region. The Americans have suppressed Iranians throughout the various decades. Because of US, a dictatorial regime was imposed on Iranian Nation for 50 years. America has to be held accountable and responsible for all those causes. As the Islamic revolution was going to be fruitful or victorious ,the Americans sent an another general Hezar in order to stage another crusader.
Thanks to the resourcefulness and great wisdom of Imam Khomeini the late founder of Islam Revolution this was prevented.Even after the Islamic revolution, war was imposed on Iran by Saddam Hussein, US stood along Saddam Hussein and supported him .The Iranian had to pay numerous costs during the eight year imposed war .25000 Iranians were martyred. With regards to the nuclear issue I want to say that the Americans have always approached this issue with adventurism and militancy.As soon as the Islamic revolution became victorious they revoked all the contracts and agreements they had signed with Iran to develop a nuclear programme with Iran.The behaviour of US in other countries like Afghanistan Lebanon,,Palestine and Iraq have always been based on adventurism and militancy .The problem of the region cannot be solved by changing the rhetoric and voice .There needs to be change in behaviour .The Americans have to understand that they have to play a game of chess and not boxing.
Q How do you look at US new strategy of stabilizing Afghanistan?
Ans Afghanistan has the longest story .It has been crusaded numerous times . Probably when Americans occupied Afghanistan in 2001 they did it for some objectives like combating narcotics, illegal drugs,combating terrorism and to capture the main leaders of terrorist groups .Now after 8 years you can very well make out how many objectives they have achieved .In 2001 the production of narcotics was 200 tons and in 2008 its about 8000 tons.This gives a new definition to combating narcotics and another bigger fiasco is combating terrorism.Everyday NATO opens the window and screams that we are against terrorism, we would like to eradicate terrorists but behind the scenes they hold talks and negotiations with the leaders of terrorists groups.These days NATO forces are discussing a new topic i.e. good terrorists versus bad terrorists. The problems in the region originated from such double standards adopted by US .
India and Pakistan have access and produced nuclear weapons but the US has no problem with either of them.It cooperates with them but when it comes to Iran nuclear dossier or nuclear weapons they say we do know that Iran doesn’t have any nuclear bomb .They are adventurous .Of course we have no problem with India or Pakistan we are friends I was giving you an example of double standards by US . Uptill now no leaders of the terrorists groups have been captured by US.These double standards has created more destruction of Afghanistan rather than development. The issue of Afghanistan security is important to us .We will make every effort to help Afghanistan to deal with this security issue.
Q Do you have any intentions of entering the arms race?
Ans No it does not make sense We don’t want any nuclear arms race, this will bring disaster for the region.Iran has other capabilities .Application of nuclear weapons is now diminished .This is absolutely contradictory to our religious teachings.
Q Is there any indications of a change in foreign policy?
Ans
We have to learn from the past ,During the dictatorial regime of Shah Iran was a backward country and through out the last thirty years Iran has been faced with many obstacles ,ups and downs now we have achieved many things .The last thirty years had been difficult We are not after creating new Persian Empire but we are definitely after helping other countries to achieve democracy.
Q How do you view stability in the regional context ?
Ans
Definitely a regional approach will help. Basically in today’s world the security is somehow related to regionalization .Without using regional or local players the cost of security will certainly go up .Besides regional forces know economic,cultural and political characteristics of the region better than anybody else Therefore nobody can deny the important role of engaging regional players like India ,Iran Afghanistan in establishing security and stability. Updated : Sunday, 26 Apr 2009, 11:45 [IST
.. Excerpts of Interview
QWhat is the vision of your Parliament?
Ans We have made certain priorities based on our vision in economic,political and diplomatic areas . First ,Iranian Parliament is an absolute independent body .This branch has connections and relationships with other branches of the country but for decision making it enjoys an absolute independent mechanism .Secondly the Parliament pays special attention to economics We have an outlook macro plan for the country that guides us and parliament enacts the laws and regulations that facilitate the fulfillment of this plan .this involves huge volume of the activity.We need new laws to be ratified .And also new positions and relations need to be defined As regards to diplomacy we have defined a specific path that is Parliamentary diplomacy that actually serve as a catalyst for the fulfillment of the policies of the country.
Q What about the decision making structure in Iran?
Ans The most strategic issues are decided by the supreme leader.Others issues fall under the duties and responsibilities of other branches of the country. The Supreme leader does not interfere with the affairs of executive and legislative branch.The government is directly responsible for inflation.The strategic decisions are made by Supreme Leader with regards to advanced technologies like nuclear issue,nano technology and bio technology .
Q You are in favour of changing some laws What are those?
Q. Do you think Barack Obama will recognize Iran’s right of enriching Urnaium?
Ans We don’t need the US seal of approval to go ahead with our peaceful nuclear enrichment programme .We definitely move along with a international norms,systems and organizations. If a country is moving within a framework of IAEA and actually conforms to its regulations ,but then, there is another country that denies this country’s right,then it is that country that needs to be responsible and has to answer..
This too is a part of a policy of denying Iran and its revolution that the US has been following but we are well passed that stage.The international conditions and situations right now do not accept such an adventurism. All countries must respect all the international norms and regulations.
Q .What are the conditions for opening dialogue with US, any positive signals from your side ?
Ans We don’t want to go into negotiations without any preparations .Negotiations are like a tool . In politics one is not supposed to give charming and attractive speeches to the media. We do need to see a change in behaviour and they need to have proper understanding of the situation and the region and they have to understand what were the factors that led to the crisis of the region. The Americans have suppressed Iranians throughout the various decades. Because of US, a dictatorial regime was imposed on Iranian Nation for 50 years. America has to be held accountable and responsible for all those causes. As the Islamic revolution was going to be fruitful or victorious ,the Americans sent an another general Hezar in order to stage another crusader.
Thanks to the resourcefulness and great wisdom of Imam Khomeini the late founder of Islam Revolution this was prevented.Even after the Islamic revolution, war was imposed on Iran by Saddam Hussein, US stood along Saddam Hussein and supported him .The Iranian had to pay numerous costs during the eight year imposed war .25000 Iranians were martyred. With regards to the nuclear issue I want to say that the Americans have always approached this issue with adventurism and militancy.As soon as the Islamic revolution became victorious they revoked all the contracts and agreements they had signed with Iran to develop a nuclear programme with Iran.The behaviour of US in other countries like Afghanistan Lebanon,,Palestine and Iraq have always been based on adventurism and militancy .The problem of the region cannot be solved by changing the rhetoric and voice .There needs to be change in behaviour .The Americans have to understand that they have to play a game of chess and not boxing.
Q How do you look at US new strategy of stabilizing Afghanistan?
Ans Afghanistan has the longest story .It has been crusaded numerous times . Probably when Americans occupied Afghanistan in 2001 they did it for some objectives like combating narcotics, illegal drugs,combating terrorism and to capture the main leaders of terrorist groups .Now after 8 years you can very well make out how many objectives they have achieved .In 2001 the production of narcotics was 200 tons and in 2008 its about 8000 tons.This gives a new definition to combating narcotics and another bigger fiasco is combating terrorism.Everyday NATO opens the window and screams that we are against terrorism, we would like to eradicate terrorists but behind the scenes they hold talks and negotiations with the leaders of terrorists groups.These days NATO forces are discussing a new topic i.e. good terrorists versus bad terrorists. The problems in the region originated from such double standards adopted by US .
India and Pakistan have access and produced nuclear weapons but the US has no problem with either of them.It cooperates with them but when it comes to Iran nuclear dossier or nuclear weapons they say we do know that Iran doesn’t have any nuclear bomb .They are adventurous .Of course we have no problem with India or Pakistan we are friends I was giving you an example of double standards by US . Uptill now no leaders of the terrorists groups have been captured by US.These double standards has created more destruction of Afghanistan rather than development. The issue of Afghanistan security is important to us .We will make every effort to help Afghanistan to deal with this security issue.
Q Do you have any intentions of entering the arms race?
Ans No it does not make sense We don’t want any nuclear arms race, this will bring disaster for the region.Iran has other capabilities .Application of nuclear weapons is now diminished .This is absolutely contradictory to our religious teachings.
Q Is there any indications of a change in foreign policy?
Ans
We have to learn from the past ,During the dictatorial regime of Shah Iran was a backward country and through out the last thirty years Iran has been faced with many obstacles ,ups and downs now we have achieved many things .The last thirty years had been difficult We are not after creating new Persian Empire but we are definitely after helping other countries to achieve democracy.
Q How do you view stability in the regional context ?
Ans
Definitely a regional approach will help. Basically in today’s world the security is somehow related to regionalization .Without using regional or local players the cost of security will certainly go up .Besides regional forces know economic,cultural and political characteristics of the region better than anybody else Therefore nobody can deny the important role of engaging regional players like India ,Iran Afghanistan in establishing security and stability. Updated : Sunday, 26 Apr 2009, 11:45 [IST
Media role in Indo-Pakistan relations
ARTI BALI: Foundation of Media Professionals organizing a panel on “Is Media Jingoism fanning India-Pakistan tensions” attended by Pakistani and Indian personalities from various fields did a timely service to the cause of this region comprising the sub-continent. The journalists were unanimously of the view that any jingoistic media coverage that tends to unduly highlight the dark spots with regard to internal security/stability of either of the countries is actually fanning tensions in their relations when the international community is seriously engaged in eradicating Taliban menace in Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Especially since after the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack emanating from Pakistani soil,the relations between the two countries continue to be acutely tense.Starting with Pakistan’s denial of any involvement by its national,even after one terrorist Ajmal Kasab captured in the operations by the NSG at the Taj Hotel explicitly admitted to be Pakistani national giving full details regarding his place of birth and parentage. The flip-flop approach adopted by Pakistan authorities that hindered investigations and remedial action at their end later snow-balled in an inappropriate media coverage that sometimes degenerated into jingoistic flashes showing the country in pitiable conditions under Taliban onslaughts.Now the country is being repeatedly described as surrendering Swat valley to Sharia law while Pakistan authorities vehemently claiming the pact to be of a tactical nature to stem the tide of aggravating Taliban type violence. Repeatedly highlighting this predicament of Pakistani administration actually serves the cause of Taliban type outfits by showing them on the wining side. Now the electronic media intent on enhancing their TRPs repeatedly flashes such images with horror music and catchy and unnerving comments.Though being in race with rival media channels,such irresponsible coverage tends to jeopardize regional interests . Furthermore, strategic analysis by the US war officials engaged in dealing with Afghanistan-Pakistan region show a grim picture of the whole situation hinting that Pakistan may even disintegrate and cease to exist within a span of six months unless Pakistan authorities and army deal with Taliban’s in a meaningful way.Now such matters ought to be covered in a sober and sensible manner.
Celebrations of the 30th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution of Iran
Published: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 , Tehran
The 10- day long celebration in commemoration of the 30 Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran that began on 1st February has drawn to a close on 10th February 2009. Millions of Iranians across the country took to streets to celebrate 30 years of independence and Islamic governance . In February 1979, Islamic Revolution gained victory as the Leader of the popular movement, Imam Khomeini, arrived in Tehran after the US-backed dictator Shah had left the country . Imam Khomeini proclaimed the Islamic Republic of Iran on April 1,1979.
The celebration started on 1st February with a helicopter showering flowers on the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who returned to Iran after 15 years of exile.Various organizations conjured up shows depicting the Islamic revolution. Besides various sporting events,films,music,threater festivals and a museum incorporating the happenings of the Islamic Revolution formed part of the celebrations.
Iranians held a ten-day celebration across the country , hoisting flags of the country everywhere, displaying footages of the revolution and Imam Khomeini’s speeches on TV and chanting revolutionary songs in schools. Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi also participated in the mass rally. He said “People believe in the Revolution and the Islamic government whole-heartedly, every year more people participate in the demonstration”. Vice President Parviz Davoudi said “I hope Iran’s governments will never yield to domineering powers and will stand firm and proud”.
Also President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the rally and delivered a speech at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) square .He said “Today I declare to Iranian people that Iran is a superpower in the world.”
The celebration came to a close with a mass rally and military parade commemorating the fall of the Pahlavi regime.Faezeh a lecturerin University told “people in Iran are brave and believe in unity and they have the power to fight against the enemies of Iran and Islam”.
The 10- day long celebration in commemoration of the 30 Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran that began on 1st February has drawn to a close on 10th February 2009. Millions of Iranians across the country took to streets to celebrate 30 years of independence and Islamic governance . In February 1979, Islamic Revolution gained victory as the Leader of the popular movement, Imam Khomeini, arrived in Tehran after the US-backed dictator Shah had left the country . Imam Khomeini proclaimed the Islamic Republic of Iran on April 1,1979.
The celebration started on 1st February with a helicopter showering flowers on the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who returned to Iran after 15 years of exile.Various organizations conjured up shows depicting the Islamic revolution. Besides various sporting events,films,music,threater festivals and a museum incorporating the happenings of the Islamic Revolution formed part of the celebrations.
Iranians held a ten-day celebration across the country , hoisting flags of the country everywhere, displaying footages of the revolution and Imam Khomeini’s speeches on TV and chanting revolutionary songs in schools. Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi also participated in the mass rally. He said “People believe in the Revolution and the Islamic government whole-heartedly, every year more people participate in the demonstration”. Vice President Parviz Davoudi said “I hope Iran’s governments will never yield to domineering powers and will stand firm and proud”.
Also President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the rally and delivered a speech at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) square .He said “Today I declare to Iranian people that Iran is a superpower in the world.”
The celebration came to a close with a mass rally and military parade commemorating the fall of the Pahlavi regime.Faezeh a lecturerin University told “people in Iran are brave and believe in unity and they have the power to fight against the enemies of Iran and Islam”.
Iran's nuclear programme
Tehran ,
While US President Barack Obama vowed to engage diplomatically with Iran saying he will back ‘tough and direct diplomacy’ as a means to end the controversy surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme,Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani said “ Iran so far has not received any concrete offer from president Obama’s administration” adding that “The dispute over the nuclear issue is not an unsolvable problem if we stop being entrenched in our positions.”
Meanwhile the country’s top leader Imam Khamenei declared that “ Iran has achieved breakthroughs in nuclear and space technology despite international sanctions against i”.He told military commanders that “ Iran is becoming more self reliant,leading to greater strides by Iranian scientists and to technological advancements in the country’s history”.
Recently President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the launch of Iran’s first domestically produced satellite showing the west that the sanctions does not matter much.But Analysts believe it as a major step for an ambitious space program that worries the US and other hegemonic powers.
The United States imposed sanctions against Iran immediately after its 1979 Islamic Revolution,which toppled the US backed Shah Mohammad Reza.Over the years ,Washington has tightened sanctions against any investment in Iran. Since 2006,Iran has also been under UN Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear and missile industries and its refusal to halt uranium enrichment .
However the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed in its latest November report that Iran has only enriched uranium-235 to a level 'less than 5 percent' -- a rate consistent with the development of a nuclear power plant where as Nuclear arms production requires an enrichment level of above 90 percent.
Currently,western powers have offered Iran a package of political and economic incentives to convince the country to halt its uranium enrichment program
Tue, 17 Feb 2009
While US President Barack Obama vowed to engage diplomatically with Iran saying he will back ‘tough and direct diplomacy’ as a means to end the controversy surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme,Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani said “ Iran so far has not received any concrete offer from president Obama’s administration” adding that “The dispute over the nuclear issue is not an unsolvable problem if we stop being entrenched in our positions.”
Meanwhile the country’s top leader Imam Khamenei declared that “ Iran has achieved breakthroughs in nuclear and space technology despite international sanctions against i”.He told military commanders that “ Iran is becoming more self reliant,leading to greater strides by Iranian scientists and to technological advancements in the country’s history”.
Recently President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the launch of Iran’s first domestically produced satellite showing the west that the sanctions does not matter much.But Analysts believe it as a major step for an ambitious space program that worries the US and other hegemonic powers.
The United States imposed sanctions against Iran immediately after its 1979 Islamic Revolution,which toppled the US backed Shah Mohammad Reza.Over the years ,Washington has tightened sanctions against any investment in Iran. Since 2006,Iran has also been under UN Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear and missile industries and its refusal to halt uranium enrichment .
However the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed in its latest November report that Iran has only enriched uranium-235 to a level 'less than 5 percent' -- a rate consistent with the development of a nuclear power plant where as Nuclear arms production requires an enrichment level of above 90 percent.
Currently,western powers have offered Iran a package of political and economic incentives to convince the country to halt its uranium enrichment program
Tue, 17 Feb 2009
Strategic Relations essential for stability: Ahmadinejad
Tehran: In the region where world attention is currently centered and where US is desperately trying to conclude the two wars started during the days of Bush presidency,Iran occupies a dominant strategic position. With its borders touching Afghanistan and Pakistan on the east and Iraq on the west ,it is destined to play a significant role in stabilizing the position in both the areas.With asubstantial number of US troops to be soon withdrawn from Iraq for blostering war efforts in Afghanistan,which is again in the grip of resurgent Taliban and conditions in Pakistan worsening by the day,Iran’s positive influence becomes all the more imperative.Seid amir Mousavi Political analyst from Tehran said that “Bush tried hard to solve the middle east problem and to stabilize Afghanistan and Iraq .Iran’s role is important to solve Middle East the problems as we have the ports and forces to support the critical areas in Afghanistan and Iraq “.
When President Ahmadinejad exhorted Barack Obama on his election victory for “ restoring the legitimate rights of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan to leave behind a positive legacy” and Obama decided to give a new direction to Iran policy,a new phase in US-Iran relations had almost already begun. Now Obama is considering to seriously engage Iran in “direct diplomacy” to build trust in areas that may require mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. Meanwhile Obama remarks “Now it is the Time for Iran to send some signals that it wants to act differently ,as well, and recognize that,even as it has some rights as a member of the international community,with those rights come responsibilities”
Practicing a functional democracy under a Shiite regime established on April 1,1979 with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader and succeeded after his death by Ayatollah Ali Khameinei on June 3 1989,country seeks to establish a society that ensures collective morality and social justice and opposes life of luxury and arrogance.The present world scenario ,where millions of jobs are being lost with the unemployed failing to meet the mortagage obligations of their houses,thanks to instruments that incorporated extreme risks while abandoning the ethical and self-regulatory systems of their businesses,however marks the Iranian concepts somewhat relevant even in the capitalistic society.
The country has made rapid advancements in Uranium enrichment technology and has recently launched a satellite in orbit that speaks amply of the progress made in the field of science and technology .Nuclear energy is thought necessary for undertaking huge development works including in the power sector though US and west suspect that uranium enrichment programme is aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons against the provisions of Non-Proliferation Regime.This also attracted action by the IAEA but more recently Obama contemplates direct diplomacy between the two countries to build trust .India however advocates a global non-discriminatory and verifiable elimination of all nuclear weapons.
But of still paramount importance are the bilateral or trilateral concerns/interests of Iran, Pakistan and India that not only properly answer the calls for national and regional aspirations of these countries but also have the potential of eliminating the terrorist activities afflicting the region and bringing unprecedented prosperity to all the three countries. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emphasized “They (the west) said they want to defy terrorism ,Iranians have been fighting against terrorists for 30 years,and if they really want to defy the phenomenon they should cooperate with Iran’s nation that is the biggest victim of terrorism”.
Iran holds vast reserves of oil and gas energy while Pakistan and India direly need to import this energy for their huge development works .The Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline lingers implementation virtually being hostage to the security concerns of the pipeline being infested with militants and terrorists.Iran’s President Ahmadinejad even visited Pakistan and India in 2008 to stress the mutual economic benefits of the countries flowing from the project.The three countries could easily work ona action plan to rid this area of the terrorist activities.
India and Iran also share an added concern of eliminating the Taliban that now seek to destroy the very states of Afghanistan and Pakistan .Ameaningful joint plan by all the four countries can achieve the objective and additionally drive out poverty from this region.This only requires an enlightened vision and stern action at the level of all the involved governments.
Iran also offers vast and nearby market for India’s trade and industry.It also provides India access by land to Central Asian markets. Enhancement of Indo-Iranian cultural,trade and other relations have a great potential for all around benefit of the region and an added dimension in the context of the new phase of American-Iranian relationship after Obama’s taking over of US presidency.
Published: Thu, 12 Feb 2009
When President Ahmadinejad exhorted Barack Obama on his election victory for “ restoring the legitimate rights of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan to leave behind a positive legacy” and Obama decided to give a new direction to Iran policy,a new phase in US-Iran relations had almost already begun. Now Obama is considering to seriously engage Iran in “direct diplomacy” to build trust in areas that may require mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. Meanwhile Obama remarks “Now it is the Time for Iran to send some signals that it wants to act differently ,as well, and recognize that,even as it has some rights as a member of the international community,with those rights come responsibilities”
Practicing a functional democracy under a Shiite regime established on April 1,1979 with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader and succeeded after his death by Ayatollah Ali Khameinei on June 3 1989,country seeks to establish a society that ensures collective morality and social justice and opposes life of luxury and arrogance.The present world scenario ,where millions of jobs are being lost with the unemployed failing to meet the mortagage obligations of their houses,thanks to instruments that incorporated extreme risks while abandoning the ethical and self-regulatory systems of their businesses,however marks the Iranian concepts somewhat relevant even in the capitalistic society.
The country has made rapid advancements in Uranium enrichment technology and has recently launched a satellite in orbit that speaks amply of the progress made in the field of science and technology .Nuclear energy is thought necessary for undertaking huge development works including in the power sector though US and west suspect that uranium enrichment programme is aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons against the provisions of Non-Proliferation Regime.This also attracted action by the IAEA but more recently Obama contemplates direct diplomacy between the two countries to build trust .India however advocates a global non-discriminatory and verifiable elimination of all nuclear weapons.
But of still paramount importance are the bilateral or trilateral concerns/interests of Iran, Pakistan and India that not only properly answer the calls for national and regional aspirations of these countries but also have the potential of eliminating the terrorist activities afflicting the region and bringing unprecedented prosperity to all the three countries. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emphasized “They (the west) said they want to defy terrorism ,Iranians have been fighting against terrorists for 30 years,and if they really want to defy the phenomenon they should cooperate with Iran’s nation that is the biggest victim of terrorism”.
Iran holds vast reserves of oil and gas energy while Pakistan and India direly need to import this energy for their huge development works .The Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline lingers implementation virtually being hostage to the security concerns of the pipeline being infested with militants and terrorists.Iran’s President Ahmadinejad even visited Pakistan and India in 2008 to stress the mutual economic benefits of the countries flowing from the project.The three countries could easily work ona action plan to rid this area of the terrorist activities.
India and Iran also share an added concern of eliminating the Taliban that now seek to destroy the very states of Afghanistan and Pakistan .Ameaningful joint plan by all the four countries can achieve the objective and additionally drive out poverty from this region.This only requires an enlightened vision and stern action at the level of all the involved governments.
Iran also offers vast and nearby market for India’s trade and industry.It also provides India access by land to Central Asian markets. Enhancement of Indo-Iranian cultural,trade and other relations have a great potential for all around benefit of the region and an added dimension in the context of the new phase of American-Iranian relationship after Obama’s taking over of US presidency.
Published: Thu, 12 Feb 2009
Obama’s inauguration as US President
Today,on the 20th January ,2009 the charismatic Obama promising change with the mantra-Yes We Can!---is inaugurated as 44th president of the United states of America .Alongwith,he inherits a battered America in the midst of the worst economic recession since the great depression of 20s-30s, a deepening financial meltdown that shows no signs of easing, two wars started during Bush presidency that defy being concluded and the world—leadership role of America seriously in question but with no other power or country ready or in a position to take the mantle and pull the world out of this mess.
The most odd aspect of Bush era has been that Pakistan, its closest ally in the ‘war on terror’, has instead emerged as a place where most of the terrorist outfits of the world are currently headquartered and as a country that provides sanctuary to Al-Qaeda and breeds an equally deadlier ‘Pakistani Talibans’ akin to the Taliban in Afghanistan .More recently two extremely horrific events in the shape of Mumbai terrorist attacks emanating from Pakistan and Israel’s most disproportionate offensive in Gaza that explicitly entailed the mercyless killings of over a thousand innocent civilian Palestinians ,thrust entry into an already gloomy world scenario to show what was uglier still to be seen. The world will therefore turn to watch curiously how the new administration sets about to tackle the grave challenges to restore peace,stability and global economic progress.
Obama has already shown his preference for conciliation while shunning to tread the path along rigid ideology curves with military solutions.Showing his readiness to talk directly to even Hamas and Iran, wisdom and prudence may be having a greater play thereby making it easier for Al-Qaeda and Taliban concepts to fade away. Ushering in peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan by involving neighbouring countries of India and Iran may therefore become a part of the new foreign policy of US.In mid-east a serious conciliation attempt may enable a lasting solution to emerge to the vexed Israel-Palestine conflict that may properly address the Palestinian grievances and provide a level field to both the parties.With regard to the south Asia the new administration is expected to have a salutary effect on the political turmoil in Nepal, redressing the political aspirations of Lankan Tamils within the constitutional framework (that may have to be suitably amended) of that country, ameliorating the conditions of Bangladeshis and ensuring lasting civilian supremacy in Pakistan so that prosperity percolates to the masses and brings moderation in the society. But Obama may face some really tough challenges for an urgent and quick revival of global economy.It is here that he has to provide a big world-leadership role lest a pall of gloom engulfs the world and spreads misery, unemployment and poverty around the globe.
Huge projects involving heavy spending of public money thus becomes a dire necessity.Financial bail-outs of industrial units for limited periods may provide temporary respite to spreading unemployment. Banking systems needs heavy injection of capital directly and indirectly through monetary measures .But these measures being adhoc and temporary spread uncertainty and unpredictability in the business world.So stabilizing the ‘credit markets’ that are still fundamentally broken is the real task before the government.The real approach lies in giving guarantee to all money-market funds for some period so that private capital starts flowing in the system.And that will inspire confidence in the business world.
Mon, 19 Jan 2009
The most odd aspect of Bush era has been that Pakistan, its closest ally in the ‘war on terror’, has instead emerged as a place where most of the terrorist outfits of the world are currently headquartered and as a country that provides sanctuary to Al-Qaeda and breeds an equally deadlier ‘Pakistani Talibans’ akin to the Taliban in Afghanistan .More recently two extremely horrific events in the shape of Mumbai terrorist attacks emanating from Pakistan and Israel’s most disproportionate offensive in Gaza that explicitly entailed the mercyless killings of over a thousand innocent civilian Palestinians ,thrust entry into an already gloomy world scenario to show what was uglier still to be seen. The world will therefore turn to watch curiously how the new administration sets about to tackle the grave challenges to restore peace,stability and global economic progress.
Obama has already shown his preference for conciliation while shunning to tread the path along rigid ideology curves with military solutions.Showing his readiness to talk directly to even Hamas and Iran, wisdom and prudence may be having a greater play thereby making it easier for Al-Qaeda and Taliban concepts to fade away. Ushering in peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan by involving neighbouring countries of India and Iran may therefore become a part of the new foreign policy of US.In mid-east a serious conciliation attempt may enable a lasting solution to emerge to the vexed Israel-Palestine conflict that may properly address the Palestinian grievances and provide a level field to both the parties.With regard to the south Asia the new administration is expected to have a salutary effect on the political turmoil in Nepal, redressing the political aspirations of Lankan Tamils within the constitutional framework (that may have to be suitably amended) of that country, ameliorating the conditions of Bangladeshis and ensuring lasting civilian supremacy in Pakistan so that prosperity percolates to the masses and brings moderation in the society. But Obama may face some really tough challenges for an urgent and quick revival of global economy.It is here that he has to provide a big world-leadership role lest a pall of gloom engulfs the world and spreads misery, unemployment and poverty around the globe.
Huge projects involving heavy spending of public money thus becomes a dire necessity.Financial bail-outs of industrial units for limited periods may provide temporary respite to spreading unemployment. Banking systems needs heavy injection of capital directly and indirectly through monetary measures .But these measures being adhoc and temporary spread uncertainty and unpredictability in the business world.So stabilizing the ‘credit markets’ that are still fundamentally broken is the real task before the government.The real approach lies in giving guarantee to all money-market funds for some period so that private capital starts flowing in the system.And that will inspire confidence in the business world.
Mon, 19 Jan 2009
Political instability force early elections in Israel
Elections to the Israeli Knesset ( parliament),that were due in 2010,will now take place on 10 February 2009 in view of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni failure to cobble together a governing coalition.As a result,outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert,who has been forced to resign over multiple corruption allegations,may remain in office till new government formation.
Tzipi Livni abandoned her efforts to form a new governing coalition after she refused to meet demands from Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders that she should pledge not to discuss ceding parts of Jerusalem in any peace talks with the Palestinians.Her party Kadima with largest number of 29 seats in the 120-seat Parliament,needed the cooperation of several coalition partners.Though labour party leader Defence Minister Ehud Barack agreed to join the coalition,the coalition could not be cobbled as smaller parties that held the balance of power made far reaching political and budgetary demands. With the ensuing political uncertainty in Israel, and political turmoil on the Palestinian side is set to worsen amid intensify rivalry between Hamas and Fatah.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, is more hardliner in its view of the conflict with Israel, while Fatah is a secular party which favours dialogue with Israel, but was voted out of government in 2006 in favour of Hamas. Palestinian peace talks hinged mainly on two issues.First,return of the eastern sector of the city of Jerusalem and the West bank sought by the Palestinian and second the return of the Golan heights that Israel captured during the six days 1967 war from Syria. Livni won an internal Kadima vote in September to replace Olmert .
But Polls showed a close race between Livni and former Prime Minister Likud leader Benjamin Netanyuhu.While Netanyuhu,who is considered more knowledgeable and experienced on both security and economy, rejects land for peace deal with both the current Palestinian leadership and Syria..Current polls show his hawkish party poised to regain power.In case he triumphs he will take a harder line on peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas,Livni on the other hand is viewed as more judicious and less prone to embarrassing imbroglios
Updated : 9 february 2009
Tzipi Livni abandoned her efforts to form a new governing coalition after she refused to meet demands from Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders that she should pledge not to discuss ceding parts of Jerusalem in any peace talks with the Palestinians.Her party Kadima with largest number of 29 seats in the 120-seat Parliament,needed the cooperation of several coalition partners.Though labour party leader Defence Minister Ehud Barack agreed to join the coalition,the coalition could not be cobbled as smaller parties that held the balance of power made far reaching political and budgetary demands. With the ensuing political uncertainty in Israel, and political turmoil on the Palestinian side is set to worsen amid intensify rivalry between Hamas and Fatah.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, is more hardliner in its view of the conflict with Israel, while Fatah is a secular party which favours dialogue with Israel, but was voted out of government in 2006 in favour of Hamas. Palestinian peace talks hinged mainly on two issues.First,return of the eastern sector of the city of Jerusalem and the West bank sought by the Palestinian and second the return of the Golan heights that Israel captured during the six days 1967 war from Syria. Livni won an internal Kadima vote in September to replace Olmert .
But Polls showed a close race between Livni and former Prime Minister Likud leader Benjamin Netanyuhu.While Netanyuhu,who is considered more knowledgeable and experienced on both security and economy, rejects land for peace deal with both the current Palestinian leadership and Syria..Current polls show his hawkish party poised to regain power.In case he triumphs he will take a harder line on peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas,Livni on the other hand is viewed as more judicious and less prone to embarrassing imbroglios
Updated : 9 february 2009
World should act against terrorists in Pakistan
With Islamabad backtracking on its promise to crackdown on the masterminds of 26/11,Pakistan is virtually whipping up a war hysteria.While its air force planes are flying at low altitudes in most of the cities, as if, to meet an imminent threat from India,Baitullah Mehsud of (banned) Tehrik-e-Taliban has publicly declared that his suicide fighters would back the Pakistani Army in case of any military action with India,further declaring “The time had come to wage a real jihad that the Taliban had been waiting for” Pakistan’s military is now massively deployed all along the Indian borders and the Line of control. This has exposed the tacit understanding between Pakistan Army and the Taliban (and other Islamist forces) even as the two were fighting each other in the tribal FATA areas and the North West Frontier Province.
In fact Pakistan army wants a war-like conflagration to develop with India as an excuse to back out of war against Taliban and Al-Qaeda it is fighting jointly with US and NATO forces on its western borders with Afghanistan.The aim is apparently to drastically alter the ground situation so that Obama’s military plans in this region that are being planned may go awry and benefit the Islamists forces.And to shift the focus from mounting international pressure on Pakistan to crackdown on terror groups. After a month into the Mumbai attacks,international action against Pakistan has not been enough and appears to be wearing down.With a time limit to the restraint on military response in the shape of precision strikes against terrorist targets,India cannot afford to be seen as incapable of making Pakistan to bear the political costs of these terror strikes.
Pakistan’s bluff of using the nuclear option should not deter India from embarking on a bold action. Husain haqqani,Pakistan Ambassador to US in his book ‘Pakistan Between Mosque and Military’ writes that “the emphasis on Islam as an element of national policy empowered the new country’s (Pakistan) religious leaders.It also created a nexus between the “custodians of Islam” and the Country’s military establishment,civilian bureaucracy and intelligence apparatus, which saw itself as a guardian of the new state”. This nexus resulted in creating a culture of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan that is being exported out to neighbouring India and as far away as South –East Asia,US and European continents with grave consequences for humanity.It is in this context that international community should strive hard to ensure against toppling of civilian rule in this country while keeping away the meddlings of the army,ISI and the religious extremists.The nature and extent of the challenge in Pakistan has been aptly summed by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “Pakistan has everything that gives you an international migraine.It has nuclear weapons ,it has terrorism ,extremists, corruption(and is) very poor”.Infact it is this false notion of religious extremism denying genuine economic and political aspirations of the people that saw the eastern wing of Pakistan violently breaking away from the country in the year 1971. And it was the same false notion that saw Pervez Musharraf pitted against the civil society of Pakistan and ultimately humbled and removed from presidency.
And it may be the same false notion that may witness secession of Pashtun and Baloch areas from this nation. India thinking realistically intensely desires a stable and prosperous Pakistan flourishing as its neighbour alongwith Afghanistan and other SAARC neighbours. Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements in collusion with terrorist outfits in Pakistan have deliberately struck at Mumbai targets when the US presidency is in transition.Plans are statedly afoot for arming local militias against Talibans so that they may engage Talibans alongside US and NATO forces. Besides the “War Area” against Taliban has been expanded to include tribal FATA area of Pakistan so that they can be effectively flushed out from the crevices of the rugged mountains that provide sanctuary to them.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:20 [IST]
In fact Pakistan army wants a war-like conflagration to develop with India as an excuse to back out of war against Taliban and Al-Qaeda it is fighting jointly with US and NATO forces on its western borders with Afghanistan.The aim is apparently to drastically alter the ground situation so that Obama’s military plans in this region that are being planned may go awry and benefit the Islamists forces.And to shift the focus from mounting international pressure on Pakistan to crackdown on terror groups. After a month into the Mumbai attacks,international action against Pakistan has not been enough and appears to be wearing down.With a time limit to the restraint on military response in the shape of precision strikes against terrorist targets,India cannot afford to be seen as incapable of making Pakistan to bear the political costs of these terror strikes.
Pakistan’s bluff of using the nuclear option should not deter India from embarking on a bold action. Husain haqqani,Pakistan Ambassador to US in his book ‘Pakistan Between Mosque and Military’ writes that “the emphasis on Islam as an element of national policy empowered the new country’s (Pakistan) religious leaders.It also created a nexus between the “custodians of Islam” and the Country’s military establishment,civilian bureaucracy and intelligence apparatus, which saw itself as a guardian of the new state”. This nexus resulted in creating a culture of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan that is being exported out to neighbouring India and as far away as South –East Asia,US and European continents with grave consequences for humanity.It is in this context that international community should strive hard to ensure against toppling of civilian rule in this country while keeping away the meddlings of the army,ISI and the religious extremists.The nature and extent of the challenge in Pakistan has been aptly summed by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “Pakistan has everything that gives you an international migraine.It has nuclear weapons ,it has terrorism ,extremists, corruption(and is) very poor”.Infact it is this false notion of religious extremism denying genuine economic and political aspirations of the people that saw the eastern wing of Pakistan violently breaking away from the country in the year 1971. And it was the same false notion that saw Pervez Musharraf pitted against the civil society of Pakistan and ultimately humbled and removed from presidency.
And it may be the same false notion that may witness secession of Pashtun and Baloch areas from this nation. India thinking realistically intensely desires a stable and prosperous Pakistan flourishing as its neighbour alongwith Afghanistan and other SAARC neighbours. Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements in collusion with terrorist outfits in Pakistan have deliberately struck at Mumbai targets when the US presidency is in transition.Plans are statedly afoot for arming local militias against Talibans so that they may engage Talibans alongside US and NATO forces. Besides the “War Area” against Taliban has been expanded to include tribal FATA area of Pakistan so that they can be effectively flushed out from the crevices of the rugged mountains that provide sanctuary to them.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:20 [IST]
Bangladesh Heading towards Democracy
Bangladesh polls earlier due for December 18 stand postponed to December 29 by the election commission. But BNP one of the two parties that is headed by former Prime Minister Khaleeda Zia wants the election to be deferred till the month of January next year (2009).Though its main rival, the Awami League, insists that any delay in elections would be unfair. The country’s military -backed interim government wants to ensure that both the main parties participate in the ensuing elections.The interim government after its apparently inclusive talks with former premier Khaleeda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist party and her arch rival Sheikh Hasina has come up with the crucial announcement about the date of election. United Nations monitoring team has arrived in Bangladesh to assess the conduct of the Nation’s parliamentary elections due in December.. Commenting on the significance of free and fair elections in Bangladesh ,UN Secretary general Ban –Ki-Moon said “It is in the world’s and your best interest to see Bangladesh achieve its full potential for democratic development through free and capable elections”.After meeting President Iajuddin Ahmad,interim leader Fakhruddin Ahmad and other political leaders he added ‘I have informed the government and the political parties that the UN has dispatched a small team of highly capable and prominent individuals who will assess the conduct of elections and report”. After democracy in Bangladesh was restored in the year 1991,the dynasties of Hasina and Zia dominated the national politics by ruling the country alternatively.The current political turmoil started when Khaleeda Zia after completing her five years term in October 2006 handed over the charge of interim government to President Iajuddin for holding the elections,but there were large scale agitations and nation –wide demonstrations against flawed voters lists as well as against biased and politicized Election Commission that was perceived as favouring Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Amidst high political tensions,the President handed over the charge of interim government to Fakruddin Ahmad and declared emergency on January 11for creating congenial atmosphere for holding free and fair elections.But the interim government, backed by army,soon embarked on a major crackdown on corruption,corrupt politicians and Islamists militants in which some 160 senior political figures were also arrested. In the earlier 2001 elections,the BNP and its allies won a two-thirds majority but during the ensuing two-year rule of the caretaker government that party has been seriously weakened.Many of its leaders including Khaleeda Zia and her two sons were accused of corruption and jailed Bangladesh’s other main party,the Awami league,was less affected by the anti-coprruption drive even though its leader Sheikh Hasina was also jailed.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]
Monday, February 1, 2010
Stability in Afghanistan essential for South Asia
Published: Tue, 16 Dec 2008
Bush administration’s strategy in allying Pakistan in its Afghanistan war against Taliban regime was greatly flawed.The strategy was adopted in view of unique geographical location of Pakistan that provided all the land routes to the eastern borders of the landlocked country.
Western borders of Afghanistan faced Iran, which had snapped diplomatic relations with US since the days of Islamic revolution in the year 1978 and US embassy hostage issue of 1979, that barred any action in executing the said war. But the strategy adopted failed to take notice of the fact that all these supply routes ran through the tribal belt of Pakistan infested with militants having deep ethnic,linguistic and cultural links and ties with the pashtun population of Afghanistan. Moreover they had a culture of hate against all foreigners and had a tradition of looting and hijacking the supplies along with transports. The main supply route from Peshawar to Kabul falls in the lawless Khyber agency area till it crosses the border at Torkham .The other main land route runs through the border town of Chaman to the south Afghan city of Kandahar. In addition to its intense ethnic, cultural and linguistic links, an extreme type of Sunni fundamentalism was promoted in this area thanks to a strategy promoted by former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq who worked out a policy of waging a proxy against India through acts of terrorism. These tribal areas also known as Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) are actually administered through various agencies and and continue to remain outside the law and order administration of Pakistan though they remain within the sovereign territories of Pakistan .Even the Pakistan authorities during disturbed times transport their supplies through these routes in convoys under armed escorts.
Moreover the Taliban flourish only in the pashtun areas of Afghanistan had greater affinity with them than the non-Pastun population of Pakistan itself. Pakistani authorities therefore could hardly be of any significant help in the US war effort against Taliban.Instead this tribal area was in fact more prone to become a part of the problem. Eventually this area saw the rise of Pakistani Taliban’s that added yet another dimension to the Afghan war . In the wake of September 11,2001 US attack on Taliban regime in Afghanistan territory, a substantial number of tajiks,Chechans and Arab fighters crossed over to Pakistan tribal areas.Suddenly local tribal fighters who had earlier taken part in the Afghan resistance against the soviets also joined them that swelled their ranks substantially and the Taliban spread extensively through the tribal belt .initially these Talibans staged daring cross-border attacks on the US led forces in Afghanistan on “hit and run” basis.But now they are carrying out major operations while staying in Afghanistan under a dreaded commander Baitullah Mahsud. General Musharraf in fact allied with US efforts in Afghanistan on the spur of the moment in order to tighten his grip on Pakistan .He also needed American financial assistance .Besides he sensed an opportunity of cornering a sizeable quantity of US arms to be used against India.His dubious role was later much criticized in US media. As was revealed during last days of his regime, Pakistan Taliban Movement actually advanced deeply into Pakistan itself up to its capital city of Islamabad resulting in the Lal Masjid episode and later executing terrorists attacks in various cities of Pakistan. Pakistan President Zardari recently rightly concluded that real danger to Pakistan does not come from India but from the Taliban attacks within the country.Taliban in a way also represents sub-Nationalism of Pashtun ethnic group and appears intent on laying bare the ethnic faultlines of Pakistan that may destroy the state itself.
With Obama declaring that his administration will not hesitate to strongly pursue and eliminate al-Qaeda and Taliban hiding in tribal areas of Pakistan,Muller who is overseeing an “Afghanistan and Pakistan transition strategy” at the Pentagon, is redrawing the map of the ‘Afghanistan battle space’ that would also include the tribal region of western Pakistan. Forceful messages have already been delivered to Pakistan officials to step up attacks against Taliban and Al-Qaeda sanctuaries in their territories
Bush administration’s strategy in allying Pakistan in its Afghanistan war against Taliban regime was greatly flawed.The strategy was adopted in view of unique geographical location of Pakistan that provided all the land routes to the eastern borders of the landlocked country.
Western borders of Afghanistan faced Iran, which had snapped diplomatic relations with US since the days of Islamic revolution in the year 1978 and US embassy hostage issue of 1979, that barred any action in executing the said war. But the strategy adopted failed to take notice of the fact that all these supply routes ran through the tribal belt of Pakistan infested with militants having deep ethnic,linguistic and cultural links and ties with the pashtun population of Afghanistan. Moreover they had a culture of hate against all foreigners and had a tradition of looting and hijacking the supplies along with transports. The main supply route from Peshawar to Kabul falls in the lawless Khyber agency area till it crosses the border at Torkham .The other main land route runs through the border town of Chaman to the south Afghan city of Kandahar. In addition to its intense ethnic, cultural and linguistic links, an extreme type of Sunni fundamentalism was promoted in this area thanks to a strategy promoted by former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq who worked out a policy of waging a proxy against India through acts of terrorism. These tribal areas also known as Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) are actually administered through various agencies and and continue to remain outside the law and order administration of Pakistan though they remain within the sovereign territories of Pakistan .Even the Pakistan authorities during disturbed times transport their supplies through these routes in convoys under armed escorts.
Moreover the Taliban flourish only in the pashtun areas of Afghanistan had greater affinity with them than the non-Pastun population of Pakistan itself. Pakistani authorities therefore could hardly be of any significant help in the US war effort against Taliban.Instead this tribal area was in fact more prone to become a part of the problem. Eventually this area saw the rise of Pakistani Taliban’s that added yet another dimension to the Afghan war . In the wake of September 11,2001 US attack on Taliban regime in Afghanistan territory, a substantial number of tajiks,Chechans and Arab fighters crossed over to Pakistan tribal areas.Suddenly local tribal fighters who had earlier taken part in the Afghan resistance against the soviets also joined them that swelled their ranks substantially and the Taliban spread extensively through the tribal belt .initially these Talibans staged daring cross-border attacks on the US led forces in Afghanistan on “hit and run” basis.But now they are carrying out major operations while staying in Afghanistan under a dreaded commander Baitullah Mahsud. General Musharraf in fact allied with US efforts in Afghanistan on the spur of the moment in order to tighten his grip on Pakistan .He also needed American financial assistance .Besides he sensed an opportunity of cornering a sizeable quantity of US arms to be used against India.His dubious role was later much criticized in US media. As was revealed during last days of his regime, Pakistan Taliban Movement actually advanced deeply into Pakistan itself up to its capital city of Islamabad resulting in the Lal Masjid episode and later executing terrorists attacks in various cities of Pakistan. Pakistan President Zardari recently rightly concluded that real danger to Pakistan does not come from India but from the Taliban attacks within the country.Taliban in a way also represents sub-Nationalism of Pashtun ethnic group and appears intent on laying bare the ethnic faultlines of Pakistan that may destroy the state itself.
With Obama declaring that his administration will not hesitate to strongly pursue and eliminate al-Qaeda and Taliban hiding in tribal areas of Pakistan,Muller who is overseeing an “Afghanistan and Pakistan transition strategy” at the Pentagon, is redrawing the map of the ‘Afghanistan battle space’ that would also include the tribal region of western Pakistan. Forceful messages have already been delivered to Pakistan officials to step up attacks against Taliban and Al-Qaeda sanctuaries in their territories
Elections under economic gloom---a changing political scenario
The timing of the general elections commencing 16th April 2009 has left both the congress and the BJP worrying. Congress finds itself slipping significantly on the number game at the polls thanks to economic gloom, vanishing jobs and the prevailing sense of lax internal security in the context of Mumbai blasts.The return of the Hindutva agenda in the BJP,finds its alliance partners distancing themselves away from it to keep their secular credentials intact. Sensing that the congress –led alliance may not make up to the magic number of 272 to occupy the seat of power in New Delhi, its alliance partners are desperately trying to enhance their own number so that they could play their game ,should any other conglomerate appear successful in a bid for power after the elections. Congress on its part is trying hard not to cede any extra seat to its partners, lest it may be seen as a shrinking party in the countrywide context besides somewhat losing its dominant position as a single party. Electoral understanding or pacts between the congress and its alliance partners with regard to seat sharing are therefore under severe threat. The emergence of a “third front “swearing by secular credentials has further complicated the matters for congress. Various alliance partners appear intent on enhancing their share within their respective state as well as in other states of their influence. Some alliance partners like Sharad pawar,Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Yadav are even in contact between themselves as well as with leaders of other parties outside the UPA so that they could later play their games even after breaking ranks with the UPA. Prominent among them Sharad Pawar acting shrewdly has even warned congress that non-congress parties have made overtures to NCP for alliances in other states.Citing the examples of TDP in Andhra Pradesh,some parties in Tamil Nadu, North-east and Orissa, he is pressing congress to cede seats to NCP in other states. He is also rumoured to be in contact with Shiv Sena.Riding the Maharashtra feelings though stirred by Raj Thackeray recently,he even harbours ambitions to occupy the seat of power in New Delhi. In the politically crucial state of UP, Mayawati factor based on a concept of “Social Engineering” with Dalit-Brahmin vote bank and also exercising considerable influence over Muslim votes ,looms large both against congress-SP tie up as well as BJP.Countering this,Mulayam Singh Yadav has tied up with the BJP rebel Kalyan Singh who weilds much influence in a number of UP districts dominated by his community.BJP on its part has concluded a pact with Jat dominated RLD led by Ajit Singh who holds considerable sway in western UP .But as an odd and adverse factor,the seat-sharing arrangement between congress and SP is under considerable strain and the stalemate continues with SP not willing to cede more than 17 seats to congress against its demand of 25 seats.Lately the negotiations within different parties have turned so fiercethat it has resulted in Naveen Patnaik’s BJD walking out of its ten year old alliance with BJP and instead stitching an alliance with CPM,CPI,JMM and NCP,while Mulayam Singh has taken a still tough position by leaving only six seats for the Congress . In Andhra Pradesh,Satyam/Maytas episode may mar congress prospects with Naidu raising a high pitch against the congress Chief Minister for his alleged involvement in the irregularities concerning the said companies .While in Tamil Nadu ultimate handling of Tamil civilians by Sri Lanka government of the island nation may effect the fortunes of various parties in a most unpredictable manner .Left parties openly supporting the third front or some other alternative of secular credentials also does not bode well for congress.In West Bengal,it is still unclear as to how much congress will benefit due to Mamta-Congress tie-up .In Assam BJP and AGP have sealed a pre-poll pact whereby BJP will contest eight seats leaving six for the AGP to ensure that anti-Congress vote is not divided that may present a stiff challenge to the congress This appears to be a time of shifting of votes and loyalties.There can be a likelihood of fragmented mandate which may bring in the days of changing coalitions.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]
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