US-PAK NUKE DEAL: THE REAL DEAL
Don’t be surprised if the US and Pakistan enter into a nuclear cooperation deal, a few years down the road – perhaps even sooner.
A few important things are happening simultaneously:
Pakistan is becoming central to Washington’s plans of stabilising Afghanistan, so as to effect a pullout of its troops, beginning mid-2011.
Pakistan desperately needs to tackle its energy deficit.
Nuclear power is regaining its popularity across the world – including the United States of America, where President Obama is all for a renaissance of nuclear power.
Most importantly, the international nuclear community wants to reign-in Pakistan’s notorious nuclear establishment, known more for being one of the major facilitators of nuclear proliferation around the world.
Then of course, there’s A Q Khan.
The US has been helping secure Pakistan’s nukes over the past few years.
The US is also believed to be helping raise a specialised force to protect Pakistan’s nuclear establishments.
Now the US has said it is willing to examine Islamabad’s request for a nuclear cooperation deal.
Whats more, Washington has now asked Islamabad to improve its proliferation track record if it wants a nuclear cooperation deal.
India should be happy, as it will bring Pakistan’s notorious nuclear establishment under stringent IAEA and international control regimes.
But India should be extremely concerned, for another important reason.
Want to know why? Refer to my post on:
http://www.roydendsouza.wordpress.com
Neel is discussing. 
Note Verbale 
Neel 2:32 pm on March 26, 2010 Permalink |
Pakistan has had a very close and special relations with the Anglo-Americans for a long time. That relation exists, and not going to go away, inspite of the problems in the region. Pakistan is an important tool in the hands of the Anglo-Americans, that would do their dirty jobs in exchange of billions of dollars worth weapons and economic aid.
So far, it was Pakistan milking the Anglo-Americans at will, and they had no options. Now the Anglo-Americans have India, to scare Pakistan and get their jobs done at cheaper terms.
The so called US-India partnership is win-win for the Americans all the way. In addition to the lucrative Indian market access, it provides leverage on Pakistan, while keeping the carrot of dual-use tech. dangling for India.
India can not change this from continuing, in the foreseeable future. All it can do is, not to let its guard down, play its cards with extreme caution, do not walk into the Anglo-American traps, and hedge its US relation with all the major powers including China.