India’s Ache for Arsenal
By the Editor

WITH a pragmatic approach, Pakistan has expressed strong concern to the United States over possible sale of sophisticated Patriot missile system to India.

Reacting instantaneously on such a hideous transaction between New Delhi and Washington, the Spokesman of Pakistan’s Foreign Office cautioned on Wednesday that any deal between the two countries would be counter-productive, disturb existing deterrence, send the region to crisis mode and fuel arms race.

Pakistan has legitimate concerns about Indian military posture because of its bitter experience.

It is no secret that India has aggressive designs against Pakistan and most of its military preparations are Pakistan-specific.

It is piling up all sorts of arms from diverse sources besides a multidimensional programme for local production of weapons and defense systems.

By all perceptions, acquisition of Patriot and Arrow missile systems would destabilize the region — but most probably these are directed against China.

Strategists are of the view that after collapse of the ex- Soviet Union, the United States is eyeing on Islam as its next target — in the line is China.

China has not so far been entangled into some sort of dispute is only because of the sagacious approach of Chinese leadership.

Beijing has made a conscientious decision not to indulge in anything that could hinder or slow down its march — towards prosperity.

Since, China has remained successful in its approach. Its economic miracles are — obviously disturbing dominant players in the world economy — with the United States atop.

As a matter of fact, the American entrepreneurs have turned nervous because of the mind-boggling speed with which the Chinese are getting access to world market.

The Americans are, thus, building up India as a possible counter-weight to China and — that is why they are providing every kind of assistance to New Delhi to help establish its’ regional hegemony — an old figment of the imagination of India.

Overtly, it is in this milieu that the United States is characterizing India as its strategic ally and amid this mindset — has expressed its willingness to provide — even super computers.

At the same time, Washington is encouraging Israel to establish deeper defense and economic relationship with India.

Amid such a perilous scenario, the future direction of events is quite obvious and it is now up to the Chinese leadership to take serious notice of the up-and-coming circumstances.

We would like to suggest that its’ an apt time that China should also boost and bolster defense and economic capabilities of the comparatively small countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to counter the threat — which is, seemingly in the offing due to the sly and swift maneuvers of the Indo-Israel brew — backed by Washington and eventually making this blend — a toxic troika.● 

 —  Mumtaz Hamid Rao
www.MumtazRao.net