Earlier this month, I wrote that the brief given to a South Asian envoy by President Barack Obama could prove to be the first test of the success of Indian diplomacy after the Mumbai attacks. At issue was whether the envoy would be asked to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan or whether the brief would be extended to India, reflecting comments made by Obama during his election campaign that a resolution of the Kashmir dispute would ease tensions across the region.
That question has been resolved - publicly at least — with the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. No mention of India or Kashmir.
India has long resisted overt outside interference in Kashmir and argued - with great vehemence since the Mumbai attacks - that tensions in South Asia were caused by Pakistan’s support for, or tolerance of, Islamist militants rather than the Kashmir dispute. For India, a public reference to Kashmir following Mumbai would amount to endorsing what it calls cross-border terrorism.
So does that mean the end of the road for efforts to ease tensions in Kashmir? Analysts think not. Unlike British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who riled India this month by linking security in South Asia to Kashmir, the United States appears to have decided that by keeping quiet in public, it can achieve more in private.
In The Cable, Washington reporter Laura Rozen - who says India’s U.S. lobby worked hard to make sure there was no reference to India in Holbrooke’s brief - quotes Philip Zelikow, a former counselor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as saying the omission might make things easier. “Leaving India out of the title actually opens up (Holbrooke’s) freedom to talk to them,” Zelikow says. In Pakistan’s Daily Times, columnist Ejaz Haider writes that “Obama will not overtly offend India by putting in place a special envoy for Afghanistan-Pakistan-India. But discerning analysts in New Delhi know the fine print.” Indian analyst Raja Mohan made a similar point when he wrote before Holbrooke’s appointment that, “although in deference to New Delhi’s objections, Obama might not name Kashmir as part of the special envoy’s mandate, reworking the India-Pakistan relationship will be an inevitable and important component of his initiative.”
And India may actually be less defensive about U.S. involvement in Kashmir than it was when Obama first raised the idea. It has since concluded elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, conducted in conditions of relative peace that many reckon would not have been possible without the active cooperation of Pakistan in restraining militants from disrupting the polls.
There’s a window of opportunity there that Raja Mohan says should persuade India to embrace U.S. involvement in the region, but on its own terms. “India has no reason to deny that during the Kargil war with Pakistan in the summer of 1999, the military confrontation with Islamabad during 2001-02, and in the effort to pressure Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks, the US role has been a positive one.”
India’s terms, especially with a parliamentary election coming up in India, are likely to include a requirement that the United States avoids public involvement in Kashmir. Instead, Raja Mohan is quoted as saying in this article, it should help create the conditions in Pakistan for a resumption of back-channel diplomacy between India and Pakistan that before Mumbai was beginning to bear fruit.
The United States appears to have conceded the first point by quietly dropping public references to Kashmir following the Mumbai attacks. Can Holbrooke now pull off the much trickier task of working behind the scenes to reach private understandings to ease tensions in the region?
(Photo: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the State Department in Washington January 22, 2009. From left are Richard Holbrooke, envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Vice President Joe Biden, Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mideast envoy George Mitchell/Kevin Lamarque)
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Before answering my emails you should have read the comments of Mr.Rajeev, you Indians are very good at propaganda’s, and that also without looking at fact and figures. I mean I was replying to rajeev’s statistics which he mentioned proudly and accused us for nexuses with China, Saudi Arabia and other friendly countries. One more and clear message for you and other your like minded peoples, before sending missiles to Pakistan, think not once but thrice…..I hope you understand what I mean.
- Posted by Al BaloushiAl Baloushi
…Pakistani’s fought USSR…
So many Mughalistan yet Pakistan didn’t get funds for Bail-out.
- Posted by BloggerHow did India got with only one Hindustan… Per capita differences….
…Most of the Indian nuclear technology and weapons machinery comes from the former USSR…
– Great so next time when India drops a missile on Pakistan territory then it will be blamed on USSR.
Didn’t I forgot that most of the Missiles owned by Pakistan were Chinese Missiles renamed with Islamic names..
- Posted by BloggerNext time if Pakistan drops something we will attack China lol
If world goes this way looks great
Dear Rajeev, before accussing Pakistan and its friends, just look at yours deeds. Most of the Indian nuclear technology and weapons machinery comes from the former USSR. Indra Ghandhi and Braznov’s nexes is well known to the entire world. Do not talk about reputation of Pakistan, if we are so bad people why all these leaders are visiting our country every other day. The fact is that we fought America/European war with former USSR, those warrier who were given the name of Mujahideen now become terrorist. Before 1979 (USSR attached Afghanistan) Pakistan had not such problems and life was quite normal.
- Posted by Al BaloushiKeeping KASHMIR swept under the rug may be a good short term cushion for India, but a bad long term one, for sooner or later Kashmir will HAVE to be solved. In the meantime, they will continue living on pins and needles in India, all the while spending BILLIONS in Kashmir alone.
In fact the KASHMIR chorus is now emanating from every corner of the global leaders, not just Messrs. Obama and Miliband. If you think that Holbrook will leave Pakistan with nothing, well, then you better think again! India has finally put itself under the global microscope.
What is she waiting for next… Bangalore, Madras, Calcutta, etc.
HELLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP US HELP YOU!
- Posted by N. JavedDear Al Baloushi and other Pakistani Friends:
What Pakistani reputation to save? You got no worries there since you have no good reputation.
Are you not Ashamed of the reputation/ethical/moral standards of nuclear scientists of Pakistan and the way Pak stole nuclear technology (from Netherlands), acquired from China (A Q Khan was lectured in China; so not indigenous) and above all its irresponsible distribution of nuclear material to N. Korea and Libya (like fire crackers). BTW these are not allegations—these are documented facts. The China-Pak-N Korea-Libya-Algeria-S Arabia nexus is well known—read neutral analysis. If you forget for a moment that Pakistan is a nation, seems like all I sad above is done by some terrorists—-alas it is a nation. Being a nuclear nation is great but the way it is achieved is also as important. Indian technology is indigenous and India has acted responsibly and is thus well respected.
Currently Pakistan is viewed as the world’s largest industry of manufacturing terrorists—a highly indigenous program (Gordon Brown is scared since 75% of the leads in terrorism originate from Pakistan). No wonder everyone is worried right now and giving money to tackle this—BUT WHER IS THE MONEY GOING; COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. See this http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/librar y/report/2008/wmd-prolif-terror-commissi on2-02.htm a US report on WMD including.a special feature “Pakistan: The Intersection of Nuclear Weapons and Terrorism” But we got to be fair to say that innocents Pakistanis are victimized by state policies of using terrorism as policy (again proven). minimum a common Pakistani can realize is that pakistan as a state has been destructive for all. Terrorism as policy is not working anyomore and has come a full circle to hurt pakistan itself.
B
- Posted by rajeevYes chirkut, for maintaining one’s prestige and security some time you have to eat leaves. As per World Bank statistic India’s percapita income $840 & Pakistan is having $820 is there any major diffenrce. Though Indian making lots of hue and cry about their developments and modernization still they were not able to take on 10 aliens who made life paralized in Bombay. Also Indian navy is claiming capturing Somali pirates thousand miles away from their border, but….you understand what I mean.
- Posted by Al Baloushi@Mastram
- Posted by chirkutAlso i think it was ZA bhutto who said Pakistanis will eat grass but will develop nuclear weapon.
How prohphetic i must say..
Now Pakistan is just doing both of it.
@ MAstram
What made you think India sas less nuclear arsenal than Pakistan? Is it your media or your mulla??
Most of the Weapon grade plutonium is generated in Nuclear reactors. India has 14 and Pakistan has just 3 (Khushab chashma and kahuta). Does these numbers indicate anything to you?
Indians migrate to different countries (Not just US/UK but also to Kenya South Africa etc) because india is more globalized country. And Immigrant Indians are respected worldwide because of they are law abiding and progress oriented. That is why Indian diaspora in US is the most successful immigrant community while Pakis diaspora in UK is known for Bradford riots and London Bombings.
- Posted by chirkutDear Blogger/Rupen, you both are right in defending your cause because seems you both are following the Nehru philosophy. One of you said Hindustan still there but do not see Mughlistan, now just see how many Mughlistan are around, Pakistani’s fought USSR and brought these countries on the World map i.e.Turkamanistan, Tajikistan, Ujbikistan, Kyrgistan, Kazikistan, Azerbaijan and if you include Afghanistan PAKISTAN, we are greater than what today’s pooer Hindustan. Another very important point since India is secular nation why are you calling it Hindustran? In our case we are not calling Mughilistan or Muslimistan to our country. Now about weak patient (Pakistan). My dear weak patient do not carry nuclear weapons in hundreds.
- Posted by Al Baloushi@Mastaram
I agree with you, India should have attacked Pakistan when the first revolver was recovered in 1983 from a Khalistani Terrorist at UAE airport which German authorities certified in writing was from a consignment sold to the Pakistan Army.
But its too late now, things are changed now, Pakistan is already going towards its doom. Why should india bother to kill a sick patient wich is already running to death. Why waste resources and men on such a weak nation.
- Posted by punjabiyaarArundhati Ghose, a former Indian ambassador to the United Nations, expressed similar views: “You have a commando-style attack on our country, they kill our people, and we are supposed to show restraint? Which other country does that? If there is another attack, we should go in and bomb* the daylights out of them.”
*Does India have enough high tech bombs? That’s one thing that USA did not outsource to India! One reason India is not attacking Pakistan is because Indian intelligence knows that Pakistan has well over 50 nuclear bombs … much more than what India possesses. India abounds in degreed (please don’t use the word educated) buffoons too busy watching Hindi Movies and worshiping Amitabh Bacchhan and his spare parts and suffering from “Hum Kissi se kam nahin” syndrome – yet a high percentage of Indians still want to immigrate to USA. If not immigrate, at least send their sons and daughters to USA for higher education. Why? India – a nation of clowns and morons good for giving lecture only.
- Posted by MastaramTo all those really concerned about the Kashmir:
1. What is Kashmir? Is it the Kashmir of 1947?
Kashmiris does not mean only Muslims. Convenient Amnesia?–Kashmir is the homeland of Kashmiri Pundits (KP) too. Recall genocide/exodus of Kashmiri Pundits? Kashmiri Hindus were asked to choose between Convert, Flee or Perish. “agar Kashmir me rahna hei, to allah ho akbar kahna hei” slogan was sung at that time. More than 500,000 fleed and many killed. Demographics changed-so no plebiscite.
2. Why did Kashmiri Pundits leave? ISI-backed terrorists commit atrocities (murder/house burning/rape-forced conversion to Islam) on KPs. Clearly, Kashmiri Muslims did not support their fellow minority Hindu brother/sisters. Such was not the case during Punjab terrorism when Sikhs/Hindus supported each other and are now deservedly co-existing together.
4. Why Indian Army and other paramilitary forces now? Ask ISI & terrorists.
5. Does India care about Kashmir? Oh Yes. Unlike bogus Azad Kashmir and Pak sucking POK resources like leaches, Indian Kashmiris have separate constitution, a separate flag, full rights granted under the Indian constitution to freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, the relief from taxes, and the sole right to own property in their state and lot more development. Who runs POK –Pak Punjabi PM) and CM of J&K is Kashmiri. So where is the oppression—in POK. Kashmiris are more rights than anyone else in India.
6. Do Kashmiris want peace? Elections (not bogus or forced) with good turnout show that they do. Let the political system evolve.
7. Is old UN resolution relevant now? It stinks. No same Kashmir—so what UN resolution?
8. Is independent Kashmir viable? No, it does not have any signs of a viable nation that can progress.
9. Are LeT type gps real Jihadis? No they are professional terrorists (mostly Pakistanis). SLOGAN “ONE PERSON’S TERRORIST IS ANOTHER’S FREEDOM FIGHTER” IS OUTDATED AND MUCH EXPLOITED. Quit it. Who are the real freedom fighters?—-Gandhi, Patel, Azad, Bhagat Singh and the list goes on…… who targeted the enemy not the innocents. The so-called Jihadis are terrorists who don’t care if they kill innocents, rather they specially target innocents. Calling them freedom fighters is insult to the principles of democracy and freedom. A nation cannot be built on these foundations. It will be a still birth.
10. Would “Independent Kashmir” stop this violence? No—because terrorists have a declared agenda (establish Islam rule over India) much larger than a free Kashmir. Who cam give guarantee of peace—no one—so what’s the point.
An independent Kashmir, without all its true inhabitants (Muslims&Pundits and others) at gun point by professional killers and no guarantee of drop in violence and at the cost of security risk to India—NO way.
- Posted by rajeevOnly possible UN resolution is to have a Kashmir of India and Kashmir of Pakistan with special status but under the control of India and Pakistan.
@Al Baloushi,
India is weak…. LMAO….
Despite the Pakistan proxies we see Indian emerging, despite proxy promotions we are seeing Pakistan dissolving.
60 saal kahan ham kahan tum?
Mughals destroyed India, don’t put a false propaganda of ruling India. BTW there is ‘Hindustan’ do we have any ‘Mughalistan’, ‘Islamistan’ ?
- Posted by BloggerAl Baloushi,
- Posted by rajeevDo not take it personally. It is ISI culture and history then supporting MUmbai attacks–perhaps no legal evidence but sure all the evidence 1 can have in such cases. ask your conscious, if you still think ISI is innocent, you got lot of work to do. But there is enough evidence for anyone to state that LeT guys did that. May not be enough yet to say ISI did. If LeT did it is time to punish them. the policy of ISI to support LeT is going to bite Pak–not ISI you guys. The common man ahs to face the consequences of the wrong policy of the govt. Pak common man (or should I say woman) is already feeling that due to Taliban—the ISI creation (Hamid Gul etc and Pasha are safe but not the common man). ISI created Taliban and is now creating trouble in Pak is already written down. Same pattern is with LeT and other such grps.
In India, there are sure problems but India is not exporting terrorists as state policy–that’s the difference between India and pak. It is this precise reason that world looks at India as responsible nation unlke Pak–Nuclear material export to N. Korea and Libya, top scientists are unethical enough to not talk collaborate with terrorists. AQ Khan is not the only culprit. (ask for link on role of pak/wmd/terrosts report—I have a link if you did not see already. It is US report.
Quit this empty MUGHAL RULE statements, India has more than 1 Pak full of MUslims. India has 80% HIndus but culture and history tells India to boast about SECULAR rule, not about Religion-based rule. India has more than 1 Pak full of MUslims. India has 80% HIndus but culture and history tells India to talk about SECULAR rule, not about Religion-based rule. Now do this—imagine pak in India’s shoes (80% Musllims and 15% Hindus) and you know this 15% would have been 0-1%. why I said so?—compare the % growth in Hindus in pak and Muslims in India. And also compare what Indian Muslims achieved and what Pak Hindus achieved. This is the difference between India and pak—in culture and History. It is about BROHERHOOD—–not just MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD.
You said: “we have the power and patients to corner them without asking USA, RUSSIA OR EUROPEAN UNION,”
Oh yeah—show your power rather than eat world’s $ and not do the job. I can see the power from news channels—how many Pak security forces guys do not want to even go there—Scared of Taliban;s beheadings. You have been with USA since cold war and before—and the power you showed so far is creating Militants. Asking “USA, RUSSIA OR EUROPEAN UNION,” is called diplomacy to deal with Pakistan—it is what normally mature and responsible nations do.
Nuf for one serving.
Thank you Rajeev, atleast u guy wakeup, FATA is semi government area, still they make their own guns and fight their enemies, Swat is part of Pakistan, however they are copying the tactics which are being applied in Assam, Telungu, Tripura, Naxalies or Naxatlies and Moist. But we have the power and patients to corner them without asking USA, RUSSIA OR EUROPEAN UNION, as did the India after Bombay incident. Just to correct u we never support Bombay like carnage, it is against our culture and history.
- Posted by Al BaloushiAl Baloushi
I see you a big help here on the forum. Cut this crap of “Mughals rules India for centuries.” and “India is weak country” and move on with the piece you got-I mean little Mughal rule over Pakistan.
India has shown that it is strong enough for its defense in overt war and now you start this covert war using JIHADI COwards (check with a competent Religious guy about what is Jihad not follow LeT types). Using those 10 Jihadi girls in Mumbai is a big bravery? Stop applauding them and turn to your west, Taliban company is coming to get you-I wish they don;t. Be sincere to yourself and to your generations—-ISI is the culprit and has destroyed Pakistan and you do not even know its deeds. India is big enough–rulers came, merged or left–you chose one path in 1947-so stick to that. wishing you a Happy Mughal Rule over Pakistan including FATA/SwAT!
- Posted by rajeevI appreciated the comments of Rupen, we India/Pakistan are matured enough to solve our old problems and should start working for the benefit of our peoples who (two third) living below poorety level. As far as Osama is concern he lives in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Indian Diplomats visits him regularly for mutual consultation.
- Posted by Al BaloushiDear Blogger,
You loved history, so do not forget Mughals rules India for centuries. Also you start commenting about ignorance not us. India is weak country therefore instead of facing the challenges they keep blaming neibours. Also they beleived on dirty politics.
- Posted by Al BaloushiWhy do you need America to assist in the Kashmir issue? What the Indian and Pakistan government should do is to work together to route out terrorism and strengthen economic ties(even in the midst of terrorism. Why? America is like the old British empire, they want to play the card of divide and rule. With a economy thats going south for Pakistan this solution will be in the best interest of both countries. AMERICA LEAVE KASHMIR ALONE. It is part of India and will remain so!!No need for another partition of India. Americans are flooding Pakistan with weapons and cash, why? To create instability in the area. Thats what Americas’ job is.
- Posted by rupenIts odd, India is the World’s only true democracy and largest democracy(true multi party elections)unlike the two party democracy in US.If America wants to create democracies, they are not setting a good example in Pakistan by given them $$. The American $$ are going to Pakistan are ending up in Osama’s coffers and Talibans. Everyone knows OSAMA is in Pakistan. For years now, the US military claims it can spot a needle in a haystack with its military superiority, WHERES OSAMA a six foot man???