Abusing trust
Had the same bit of information emanated from sources in India, it would have been readily disbelieved, especially in the US.
The Americans are waking up to a fact that Indians have always known: Pakistan will turn every weapon in its arsenal to target India. So the revelation that the US-supplied Harpoon anti-ship missile has been turned to a land target — that is, India — is not and should not be much of a shocker. Had the same bit of information emanated from sources in India, it would have been readily disbelieved, especially in the US.
The Americans or at least some credulous sections of the establishment are learning a little too late that Pakistan is a difficult if not really a bad one to deal with. Part of the billions of dollars worth of American military and economic aid that Pakistan had received as an ally in the global war against terror have been used to beef up its security against India and not necessarily only in defensive postures.
Only recently there had been warnings emanating from Washington that money meant for aid was being diverted towards defence uses. There is little that New Delhi can do to change what Islamabad considers to be in its national security interests, whatever its exaggerated and misplaced emphasis may be.
Pakistan army would like to arm itself to the teeth without ever wanting to fight a war against India. The country is facing a virtual civil war in some areas, but is finding it difficult to divert forces and material from the India border because of fear of the neighbour.
This insecurity leads Pakistan to go to the extent of changing the purpose of the Harpoon missile. The Americans can and must invoke the end user agreement they sign with each country where they supply arms and either recall the missiles or force the Pakistanis to dismantle them.
On this country’s part, constant monitoring and vigil are the only response possible. India must not hesitate to take a step or two forward to ensure peace, without losing sight of the deep hostility powerful sections of the Pakistani establishment, especially the army and the intelligence services, harbour towards this country.
An armed Pakistan seems to be a threat to peace not only in the region but elsewhere in the world as well. Public opinion in the US is coming to the view that it is not a good thing to sell sophisticated and deadly weapons to Islamabad because of the extremist elements hovering dangerously in that country. The US needs to recalibrate their arms export policies.
The Americans or at least some credulous sections of the establishment are learning a little too late that Pakistan is a difficult if not really a bad one to deal with. Part of the billions of dollars worth of American military and economic aid that Pakistan had received as an ally in the global war against terror have been used to beef up its security against India and not necessarily only in defensive postures.
Only recently there had been warnings emanating from Washington that money meant for aid was being diverted towards defence uses. There is little that New Delhi can do to change what Islamabad considers to be in its national security interests, whatever its exaggerated and misplaced emphasis may be.
Pakistan army would like to arm itself to the teeth without ever wanting to fight a war against India. The country is facing a virtual civil war in some areas, but is finding it difficult to divert forces and material from the India border because of fear of the neighbour.
This insecurity leads Pakistan to go to the extent of changing the purpose of the Harpoon missile. The Americans can and must invoke the end user agreement they sign with each country where they supply arms and either recall the missiles or force the Pakistanis to dismantle them.
On this country’s part, constant monitoring and vigil are the only response possible. India must not hesitate to take a step or two forward to ensure peace, without losing sight of the deep hostility powerful sections of the Pakistani establishment, especially the army and the intelligence services, harbour towards this country.
An armed Pakistan seems to be a threat to peace not only in the region but elsewhere in the world as well. Public opinion in the US is coming to the view that it is not a good thing to sell sophisticated and deadly weapons to Islamabad because of the extremist elements hovering dangerously in that country. The US needs to recalibrate their arms export policies.