- People closely following the geopolitical churnings of the world would have noticed that the United States of America will always keep its national interest foremost while handling matters of intrigue. History is replete with numerous instances where the USA has switched sides to serve its interests, even if such a move has left other countries high and dry. The prevailing sentiment in the global community is that the USA will go to any extent to protect its primary interests, even at the cost of disregarding other countries’ valid concerns. With the ascension of the maverick and extremely unpredictable Donald Trump to the most powerful office in the world, the pattern is yet again visible when the president is seen courting Pakistan’s army chief amid global turmoil.
PC: News24
- The Indian leadership is quite accustomed to witnessing all of the above umpteen times, and the present bonhomie between the USA and Pakistan, despite the terrorism factory working relentlessly against India, resulting in Operation Sindoor, is a stark reminder of this fact. As such, even by realpolitik standards, the US-loving terror sponsor Pak is a new low. The Indian leadership should assume the worst will ensue. Trump saying I love Pakistan must be understood both in the historical and current context of US policy. That America’s president is proclaiming love for a country widely known for funding, training, and protecting terrorists links back to decades of Washington policy. What does it entail for Indian leadership and its policy on the matter?
PC: The Atlantic
- America has long perfected a kind of doublespeak when it comes to Pakistan-sponsored terror. Americans chose to unsee even the fact that Islamabad gave sanctuary to 9/11’s architect, bin Laden. Or that 26/11, which claimed American victims, was an ISI op. Now, with Israel’s war on Iran, and some American strategists advocating Israeli-US bombing runs, Washington’s realpolitik argument would run like this: Pakistan is the only Islamic nation with nuclear weapons, it has so far backed Tehran with which it shares a 909-km border, and Beijing has a key presence in all matters Pakistan, therefore, keeping Islamabad happy makes sense. That Trump met and dined with jihadi-in-uniform Munir reinforces the point that the US sees Pakistan as a tool of war.
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PC: Business Standard
- Sure, nation-states are expected to operate in the national interest. Despite the West’s pressure, New Delhi stayed the course on buying oil from Moscow, the aggressor in the other war. But Russia under Putin is not a terror sponsor. But Pakistan is, and its target is India. Thus, loving Pakistan and supping with its religious fundamentalist field marshal isn’t the same as India buying Russian oil. More so since Trump is reportedly offering Munir weaponry in return for airspace access into Iran. PM Modi did well to tell Trump India won’t brook any mediation. But New Delhi will have to assume things can get worse from here on. We must ensure our interests are well protected and back any moves that will ensure the same.
