NP - The view from India

[David Morris]

http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1485924249

On the eve of Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit to Washington DC, his second 
in two years, Indian strategists are suddenly having to weigh the 
consequences of this unexpected development on its north-western borders. It 
is now beginning to seem that apart from being a frontline state and an ally 
of the United States, Pakistan could end up being an American colony.

With each passing day, Islamabad is having to give up more and more air 
bases to the US war against terrorism. More and more US soldiers are being 
inducted into the region. If the history of such expeditions is any 
indication, then American forces, spooks, and advisors will be around in the 
region for a long time.

Indian military planners are already beginning to reflect on what it means 
to have US air bases, aircraft carriers, spy satellites, drones, and 
eavesdroppers in the neighbourhood. Even at the height of the American 
influence in Pakistan in the 1980s, Washington did not have such an array of 
technical inputs and human intelligence in place.

At any other time, such an air and sea armada would have caused the Indian 
intelligentsia to break out in rashes. But these are extraordinary times. 
The feeling in Indian circles is that the return of US influence over 
Pakistan may actually help New Delhi’s cause by reigning in an unstable and 
unruly neighbour.

“It is an entirely difference scenario from the 1970s when the US actually 
tilted towards Pakistan. Now, for its own safety, Pakistan needs to be 
‘righted’,” says a senior Indian military strategist now in Washington.


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