Hello All,
I think the Indian government should now shift its foreign policy to side with US. In previous times, it was OK to side with Russia as it was a super power too close to India to be ignored. Besides, it was the only country which came to India's much needed assistance in building their defense and certain industrial infrastructure and during war times. While things have changed radically in the recent times they call for radical changes. If India adopts a foreign policy which allows closer defense and trade pacts with US, it stands to gain the following:
1) US would stop the military aid to Pakistan.
2) Pakistan cannot attack India easily.
Because of US defense support. Mind you, not that India can't defend itself against Pakistan, but its more of a question with China. China is watching the game and it wants Arunachel Pradesh. Remembering how US stayed silent when China occupied Tibet it may be prudent, to side with US now. By becoming a democratic ally of US India can solve these problems.
3)US will be more than happy to establish ties with India given India's non aggressive nature compared to China and Pakistan and may not even mind it being a nuclear powered ally (Optimistically speaking of course). US would prefer now to shift its trade relations to help India, rather than to boost China's economy too much and make it another Russia. Believe me the US government contemplated this many times by now. India never gave a chance so far.
Both Pakistan and China have so far successfully played the threat to develop nuclear weapons and engage in their commerce with middle eastern countries, to gain US attention as well as their aid/trade.
US is rethinking their strategy in supporting Pakistan and China endlessly, for the danger of China is in the making of another Communist Super Power where as Pakistan will transfer the technology to middle eastern war-mongers, for much needed foreign assistance (in the absence of US aid). Obviously,the BOMB doesn't stop with Pakistan!
4)India should also test the motives of Pakistan by now offering them a friendship pact again. Firstly, it would put to test the hypothesis that India is planning for a preemptive strike at Pakistan's Nuclear facilities, a lame excuse in my opinion, which Pakistan is successfully advertising during internal emergency declaration possibly for an imminent attack. If the friendship-pact is successful, they would avert a nuclear holocaust, if not the least, the aggressive intentions of Pakistan would be exposed to the rest of the world.
5)To take full advantage of this situation, India could become the ally of US, instead of adopting non-alignment. This would enhance their trade relationship with USA.
I am not sure what both countries have gained so far by thomping their (Nuclear) chests but they are headed in a wrong direction. And given the history of emergency regimes in Europe and Asia, one stupid move from either side, is enough for annihilation.
PS: Clearly US is adopting double standard policies when it comes to China and Pakistan, unfortunately, but I guess this is Kali-Yug. India should get around this in a different way instead of building a H-BOMB.
Any comments!
Gunther.
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