US Senator, Marco Rubio introduced a bill, on 26 July 2024 in the US Congress that proposes to treat India at par with its allies like Japan, Israel, S/Korea and NATO, regarding technology transfers, Security & Support for India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity; bar Pakistan from receiving security assistance and seeks terror sanctions on Pakistan for sponsoring anti-India proxies. The bill, if passed will be an absolutely, totally disastrous move for the stability of the South Asian region and create tensions that could have serious repercussions. The bill constitutes the most serious allegations of potential terror sponsorship, levelled by the Indo-US lobby against Pakistan.
The intention behind this bill must be clear to the leadership of Pakistan, engineered behind closed doors, amid mounting exasperation in Washington about the fake Mantra of Terrorism by the Indian lobby — vis-a-vis heightened international community pressure on the US for bathing together on rising Israeli war crimes in the Mideast. It will have several repercussions for what Pakistan is suffering for the time being will be more at stake to include the fight against Indian Sponsored terrorism in Balochistan & KP- the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal – Islamabad’s friendship with China – weak economy plagued with high inflation, trade deficits, debt & regional stability. The author of the bill, seems to propose it without application of mind; ignoring the existing dangers in the region as it will further fuel the existing tension between tow nuclear armed rivals, already world renowned political analysts have described the situation between India and Pakistan as the most serious threat to world peace in this generation.
India has chosen a continuous fake rhetoric to blame Pakistan for its woes in Kashmir, Punjab, Asam, Nagaland and other states due to its Hindutva mind set of expansionism through atrocities. A clear policy declaration must be made that Pakistan cannot take any responsibility for the actions of the Freedom Fighters and like other independent countries of the world, it justifies its policy on Kashmiri people’s right of self determination for independence as per UN resolutions. The US (Western) perception of Pakistan’s erstwhile support to militancy has to be strongly addressed at diplomatic level and Pakistan would be best served to adopt an aggressive foreign policy towards Indian sponsored state terrorism & without wasting time; alongside other viable options must be utilised by the Islamabad to counter this dangerous move. Also the Centcom Chief, CIA director and Secretary of State all need to be vigorously approached through civil & military leadership for timely response to figure out the strategic repercussions of Singling out Pakistan, which is neither fair nor productive.
Its time, Pakistan must warn the United States through multiple channels, of the risks of losing an ally, as a result of such US policy in the region causing imbalance of power. Moreover, this Indian sponsored bill may take already fragile relations between Pakistan and the United States to a further low. Pakistan must also assert the looming dangers of RSS/Modi’s sponsored Hindutva nefarious designs across India and its danger could be enormous if Washington and Pakistan, fail to arrest the deterioration in relations. Notwithstanding, the Pakistan support in the US Congress for curbing assistance or making conditions on aid, more stringent measures will be rising rapidly keeping the existing politico- economic condition of Pakistan in view.
On the regional side, India must strongly be conveyed that the post-9/11 era is over; the war on terrorism mantra for indigenous freedom movements does not fit in anymore and give them further license for the blames game on the nation of Pakistan because of any indigenous freedom fighter’s actions. The US, Western powers and the UN must also be made careful to propose nothing that might make the hawks in India think they have been given a “wink and a nod”. India has benefited enough from a double standard for far too long, using fake mantra of terrorism, especially in Kashmir; in that the international community has tolerated Indian conduct that other countries have been held accountable for. This must stop now. Lastly, it’s the sovereignty of Pakistan being challenged on many fronts led by India alone. Before the sabre rattling Indians look bent upon a misadventure, Pakistan must warn India to be fully responsible for her nefarious designs and be alert to the situation and respond immediately with full force if challenged.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Rawalpindi.
