Modi pawns India
THE Indo-US tiff on India’s Exclusive Economic Zone shows that Modi has pawned country’s sovereignty. The media uproar about the incident is a smokescreen.
The US navy conducted similar navigation sails through Indian waters in 2019 without asking permission and Delhi did not object to it.
The silence of both their leaders shows a precedent is being set to conduct Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) and UN Convention of Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in other international waters.
Can foreign ships violate EEZ as per law? India claims that military manoeuvres within its EEZ require consent, which was conveyed at the time of ratification of the UNCLOS.
America has openly said that it has conducted FONOP to challenge India’s excessive maritime claims. There is big difference in the positions of both countries on these rules.
America does not accept India’s claims on notification (12Nm, 24Nm and 200NmEEZ) and Straight Baseline allowing larger area around an island group.
Based on strong history of US-China in South China Sea, it is a matter of serious concern for region.
India stopped Chinese surveillance vessel from entering Andamans but not Americans. It is important to avoid such complications in future.
There are no territorial rights in EEZ and other countries can exploit natural resources, which could lead to war.
The recent Turkey-Greece standoff in Mediterranean Sea is case in point. The US has already signalled that Indian Ocean is not India’s Ocean.
China and Russia are already familiar with this US approach. It shows importance of upholding rule of law to secure territorial waters. Pakistan will stand with international law in the region.
Logically, there will be more violations of India’s maritime interests because due to Kashmir it cannot go to the UN.
Delhi will have to restore Kashmir status as per the UN Resolutions. Return the Jammu and Kashmir flag on Civil Secretariat buildings of Srinagar.
The return of Kashmir will automatically reset and revive international protections of India. It will secure territorial integrity of the region and allow UN to establish its writ.
A breakthrough on Kashmir should improve Indo-China situation on LAC, which now is elusive.
It will ease tension in Eastern India and other countries bordering India and China. They want to save their bilateral relations despite the border situation due to commerce and trade.
That has undermined West’s planning of using India as military counterbalance to China. The corona pandemic and India’s Covid vaccine failure has further weakened it. There is no legitimacy of America’s Lakshadweep EEZ action.
Local media has rejected India’s public humiliation at the hands of its Quad partner. India has been turned into an international spectacle.
However, the silence shows that it is part of support for international establishment to fulfill their geo-strategic agenda in the region. Washington merits applause for its move. Indian media has forced its establishment to choose between Modi and country’s sovereignty, or take a stand against China.
Beijing has announced mega dam on Brahmaputra River. It is part of China’s strategic 14th five-year plan. India is worried by the project. It will be sensible on part of Delhi to reach out to China and get its due water under international laws.
Delhi knows how water issues get lost on international platforms in context of Pakistan. Islamabad looks forward to positive outcome on water between both countries.
It will help uphold international laws to solve complex issues in the region including water. Washington needs a trade deal in the subcontinent not a military alliance.
Democrat’s Afghan policy is back to Republican solution. Washington needs regional support. It should acknowledge help and support of Pakistan on Afghanistan.
By ensuring India’s departure from Afghanistan, Biden can let Afghan take control of their country. The immediate lifting of all sanctions is the best way to engage with Iran.
The ME has shifted towards Asia. It merits ending Palestine blockade and downgrading US support for Israel to create balance in the region.
The world should not underestimate Putin on Ukraine. The repeat of Crimea action cannot be ruled out.
The reform agenda has failed in Ukraine and corruption has increased. The changes enacted in 2020 have raised serious questions about future of Zelensky government.
Putin will use balanced policy on Ukraine to extract maximum benefits for Russia from the West while deepening cooperation within Asia.
A pro-Russia policy without NATO is the best approach for the next 20 years or more. The rise of populist leaders shows that democracy is failing in Europe. Germany has secured its trade interests in Asia.
Italy has stayed with EU and managed to survive. Macron’s pro-US policies have failed which left rest of Europe cautious about fallout of bilateral relations
. The corona pandemic has devastated economies of the EU member states and there is no appetite to fund or join any military alliance headed by America including NATO.
The failure of Modi’s Kashmir action and Quad policy shows that those nations and alliances which respect international laws benefit more.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
