As the world’s most powerful democracies, India and the United States should consider developing an alliance. This is the main viewpoint put forth in the Indian and US press, about the falling out between Pakistan and the US, and the rise of China. Yet, Ghani’s visit to Pakistan has been largely seen as a step forward towards peace in the region as well as having the potential to balance Indian boisterousness. It seems that since Modi’s rockstar reception in the US, India has been able to treat Pakistan however it pleases because while Pakistan as once an ally to the US, India is now not just an ally, but a friend. Americans are benefitting enormously from their relationship with India and has a vibrant immigrant population. Indian-Americans have become political leaders (including two governors), university professors, and the CEOs of household-name companies like PepsiCo and Microsoft. Bilateral trade has increased five-fold since 2001 to nearly $100 billion. At a time when the Middle East and South Asia is mired in crisis, India has a beacon of hope and stability.
The US and Pakistani militaries began a week-long strategic dialogue on Sunday. The purpose of this meet is to work towards a better relationship rather than asking for more weapons and aid. Pakistan needs its image rehabilitated right now, more than it needs guns and criticism from the US. Maybe the military is cognizant of this. Pakistanis would also like the United States to probe their claim that India is supporting Baloch rebels and Taliban insurgents hiding in Afghanistan. But we have to remember that the US is not our unconditional friend. After the fiasco that was the capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden, no body is willing to listen to what Pakistan has to say in its defence. We just rejected a recent Pentagon report saying that Pakistan has been using militant groups as proxies against India. Mullah Omar, Haqqani and company remain safe in Pakistan. These “strategic assets” have not yet paid dividends, and never will. No doubt the army is committed to getting rid of militancy, but it might be too-little-too-late for our credibility and our security.