World should act against terrorists in Pakistan

With Islamabad backtracking on its promise to crackdown on the masterminds of 26/11,Pakistan is virtually whipping up a war hysteria.While its air force planes are flying at low altitudes in most of the cities, as if, to meet an imminent threat from India,Baitullah Mehsud of (banned) Tehrik-e-Taliban has publicly declared that his suicide fighters would back the Pakistani Army in case of any military action with India,further declaring “The time had come to wage a real jihad that the Taliban had been waiting for” Pakistan’s military is now massively deployed all along the Indian borders and the Line of control. This has exposed the tacit understanding between Pakistan Army and the Taliban (and other Islamist forces) even as the two were fighting each other in the tribal FATA areas and the North West Frontier Province.

In fact Pakistan army wants a war-like conflagration to develop with India as an excuse to back out of war against Taliban and Al-Qaeda it is fighting jointly with US and NATO forces on its western borders with Afghanistan.The aim is apparently to drastically alter the ground situation so that Obama’s military plans in this region that are being planned may go awry and benefit the Islamists forces.And to shift the focus from mounting international pressure on Pakistan to crackdown on terror groups. After a month into the Mumbai attacks,international action against Pakistan has not been enough and appears to be wearing down.With a time limit to the restraint on military response in the shape of precision strikes against terrorist targets,India cannot afford to be seen as incapable of making Pakistan to bear the political costs of these terror strikes.



Pakistan’s bluff of using the nuclear option should not deter India from embarking on a bold action. Husain haqqani,Pakistan Ambassador to US in his book ‘Pakistan Between Mosque and Military’ writes that “the emphasis on Islam as an element of national policy empowered the new country’s (Pakistan) religious leaders.It also created a nexus between the “custodians of Islam” and the Country’s military establishment,civilian bureaucracy and intelligence apparatus, which saw itself as a guardian of the new state”. This nexus resulted in creating a culture of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan that is being exported out to neighbouring India and as far away as South –East Asia,US and European continents with grave consequences for humanity.It is in this context that international community should strive hard to ensure against toppling of civilian rule in this country while keeping away the meddlings of the army,ISI and the religious extremists.The nature and extent of the challenge in Pakistan has been aptly summed by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “Pakistan has everything that gives you an international migraine.It has nuclear weapons ,it has terrorism ,extremists, corruption(and is) very poor”.Infact it is this false notion of religious extremism denying genuine economic and political aspirations of the people that saw the eastern wing of Pakistan violently breaking away from the country in the year 1971. And it was the same false notion that saw Pervez Musharraf pitted against the civil society of Pakistan and ultimately humbled and removed from presidency.


And it may be the same false notion that may witness secession of Pashtun and Baloch areas from this nation. India thinking realistically intensely desires a stable and prosperous Pakistan flourishing as its neighbour alongwith Afghanistan and other SAARC neighbours. Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements in collusion with terrorist outfits in Pakistan have deliberately struck at Mumbai targets when the US presidency is in transition.Plans are statedly afoot for arming local militias against Talibans so that they may engage Talibans alongside US and NATO forces. Besides the “War Area” against Taliban has been expanded to include tribal FATA area of Pakistan so that they can be effectively flushed out from the crevices of the rugged mountains that provide sanctuary to them.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:20 [IST]

Bangladesh Heading towards Democracy

Bangladesh polls earlier due for December 18 stand postponed to December 29 by the election commission. But BNP one of the two parties that is headed by former Prime Minister Khaleeda Zia wants the election to be deferred till the month of January next year (2009).Though its main rival, the Awami League, insists that any delay in elections would be unfair. The country’s military -backed interim government wants to ensure that both the main parties participate in the ensuing elections.The interim government after its apparently inclusive talks with former premier Khaleeda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist party and her arch rival Sheikh Hasina has come up with the crucial announcement about the date of election. United Nations monitoring team has arrived in Bangladesh to assess the conduct of the Nation’s parliamentary elections due in December.. Commenting on the significance of free and fair elections in Bangladesh ,UN Secretary general Ban –Ki-Moon said “It is in the world’s and your best interest to see Bangladesh achieve its full potential for democratic development through free and capable elections”.After meeting President Iajuddin Ahmad,interim leader Fakhruddin Ahmad and other political leaders he added ‘I have informed the government and the political parties that the UN has dispatched a small team of highly capable and prominent individuals who will assess the conduct of elections and report”. After democracy in Bangladesh was restored in the year 1991,the dynasties of Hasina and Zia dominated the national politics by ruling the country alternatively.The current political turmoil started when Khaleeda Zia after completing her five years term in October 2006 handed over the charge of interim government to President Iajuddin for holding the elections,but there were large scale agitations and nation –wide demonstrations against flawed voters lists as well as against biased and politicized Election Commission that was perceived as favouring Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Amidst high political tensions,the President handed over the charge of interim government to Fakruddin Ahmad and declared emergency on January 11for creating congenial atmosphere for holding free and fair elections.But the interim government, backed by army,soon embarked on a major crackdown on corruption,corrupt politicians and Islamists militants in which some 160 senior political figures were also arrested. In the earlier 2001 elections,the BNP and its allies won a two-thirds majority but during the ensuing two-year rule of the caretaker government that party has been seriously weakened.Many of its leaders including Khaleeda Zia and her two sons were accused of corruption and jailed Bangladesh’s other main party,the Awami league,was less affected by the anti-coprruption drive even though its leader Sheikh Hasina was also jailed.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]

Pakistan’s impending water wars

Pakistan handed over a “non-paper” to India on water sharing at the bilateral Foreign secretary level talks held in New Delhi on February 25 .But the Indian officials allege this non –paper is nothing but a ploy by Pakistan Army to whip up bilateral tensions over water sharing issue to consolidate their grip over the country at a time when provinces within Pakistan are fighting over water sharing .So much so that provinces have threatened “water wars” with each other . The waters of the Indus basin are regulated within Pakistan by the Indus river System Authority (IRSA) ,which itself was created by the inter-provincial Water Accord of 1991 . Sindh regularly accuses Punjab of not providing it with its share of water. Punjab, on the other hand, claims that it gets nothing more than its rightful share of water under the Water Accord.Last couple of meetings of IRSA has witnessed heated arguments among Sindh ,Punjab , and Balochistan provinces over water sharing .The Army is encouraging a campaign that Pakistan was facing water shortage due to India ,according to Indian officials .According to reports reaching here Pakistan’s Punjab province ,which has been getting the majority of Indus waters so far ,is on war path with Sindh and Balochistan provinces which have claimed that Punjab have denied the latter adequate share of waters and for undertaking Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Pinjad link canals projects .Sindh has reservations on the Chashma-Jhelum project .Sindh has in fact demanded that Punjab give up its Chashma-Jhelum project and any other future projects on Indus river. Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani has been asked to intervene and address such issues through an executive order. Meanwhile ,Punjab has sought the federal government’s intervention to get more water from the Indus to meet its target of wheat production .That India is not to blame for Pakistan’s water crisis is understood from none other than Pakistan’s Water Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf who told the National Assembly last month that India was within its rights to build dams on Jhelum and Chenab rivers . According to Pakistan’s water expert A N Abasi , “If the process of stealing Sindh’s water did not stop,then there would be no option but to wage a war.” Expressing similar sentiments ,another water expert Nazir Memom pointed out that Punjab had constructed 16 barrages,2 dams and 2 canals forcibly and that the province was taking Sindh’s water. India has rights over the three eastern rivers (Ravi ,Beas ,Sutlej) ,while Pakistan has rights on three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum ,Chenab ) ,according to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between the two countries on six rivers. In the non-paper, Pakistan asked New Delhi to give full and timely communication on new power-generation plants and irrigation work taken up by India on the western rivers. But Indian officials point out that all information about 33 hydropower projects on the Chenab,Jhelum and Indus rivers have been provided to Islamabad and water used for irrigation was within the permissible limit.

Business prospects in Iraq

While war-ravaged Iraq grapples with its massive reconstruction phase to rehabilitate its economy ,Indian assistance and participation in this process is hampered for want of a policy decision by the government of India .Not only interaction between both Governments is restricted, private participation has also been seriously held-up due to a 2004 travel advisory against travel to Iraq that has not been formally cancelled even after March 7,2010 Iraq elections that promise positive impact in the transformational process of the country and the region around it . It is rather a time to show India’s solidarity with Iraq and offer our willingness and desire to help them vehemently in their great endeavor.However, some positive minded professionals, businessmen and companies have come together to form India chapter of the India Iraq Economic Cooperation Council. A MoU was signed yesterday in New Delhi for establishing the Council, with a chapter each in Delhi and Baghdad to help businesses on both sides to enhance and diversify economic and commercial relations between the two countries. The chairman of the executive council from the Indian side MS Ramachandran, former Chairman of the Indian oil corporation signed the MoU on behalf of the Indian side where as from the Iraqi side it was signed by Karim Mohammed Ali Al-Obied, Chairman, Samawa Chamber of commerce. To ensure that the newly formed Council’s activities are not impaired, it is a time for the Government to initiate some political moves. Removal of the 2004 advisory should be one of the first such moves which in the long run may lead to restoring of direct air connectivity between New Delhi and Baghdad to facilitate easy travel between both countries. Upgrading the level of diplomatic relations to ambassadorial level will also serve to give a long overdue signal to the business leaders to re-establish our old relationship.Needless to stress that economies of these two countries are supplementary in terms of India’s fast growing energy needs even in the long –run and Indian markets are able to meet the requirements of Iraq’s with regard to food ,infrastructure projects ,healthcare ,consumer products and various services like banking ,IT ,telecommunications .Even more importantly Indian markets offer high-quality products and performance while simultaneously evolving low cost models. With Indian economy progressing rapidly and projected to increase four-fold by the end of next decade ending 2020, this relationship is bound to benefit both the countries immensely.In addition India has a transparent, business friendly environment and a business friendly legal system. India is rated as world-power in IT and enjoys global status in the fields of business and medical education. With Indian side of the “India Iraq Economic Cooperation Council” headed by a former Chairman of the Indian oil corporation ,it hardly needs saying how advantageously this will impact the partnership in the gas and oil sector as Iraq sits on the third largest oil reserves of at least 115 billion barrels. On the occasion of signing the MoU, M S Ramachandran said “India and Iraq have had very flourishing trade and commerce ties that later dipped due to war in Iraq and currently stand confined to only handful of items. But, in contrast, more than 40000 factories in Iraq stand direly in need of India’s participation and support”. It would therefore be in the fitness of things if the government takes early appropriate action rather than hold up the matters in an over cautious approach. Karim Mohammed Ali Al-Obied who is leading the Iraqi delegation said “Though German and other European, US and Chinese firms have already got into the business of reconstruction activity in Iraq; India should not lag behind anymore and should take full advantage of the business opportunities that have been thrown open in the wake of the reconstruction phase of the country.”In order to give impetus to the much needed business activities between the two countries, government should aggressively facilitate the efforts of the “Council” with various ministries and business organization and also take up matters with Iraqi governmental organs and bodies to ensure that Indian business really spreads to different provinces of Iraq to enhance and diversify the volume or trade between both countries which is currently dominated by export of crude oil from Iraq to India.

Taliban integration process basically flawed

The impending US military surge in Afghanistan that is currently planned to launch a major operation in the crucial province of Kandahar, considered to be the Taliban power- house and home city of Taliban Supremo Mullah Omar, already appears doomed to failure even before it is launched.While the surge is extremely short on time-frame ending mid-2011 in a long drawn war on terror,the process of stitching and transforming the society is actually taking place in a rather strange and peculiar manner.There is a greater stress on tactfully arranging an assemblage of groups by generating splits and defections among the insurgents rather than creating a fundamental change in the society against Taliban ideology.Thus sooner the US forces exit Afghanistan,the situation will again lurch towards extremism and terrorism. Sensing an early US exit from Afghanistan without having achieved their aims of war on terror, the insurgents are themselves in the midst of a process of split and switching sides with an eye on finding a place in government administration.A virtual war has broken out between the insurgents aligned to Hezb-I- Islami and the Taliban cadres in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan and a hundred or so Hezb-I-Islami fighters are ready to defect to government side.Thus the switching of loyalty does not involve any change of hearts. Even in the past Hekmatyar had offered to lay down weapons on an unacceptable demand that a “neutral” government be installed in Kabul and presently he may be hedging his bets. One faction of Hezb-I- Islami has already won seats in Afghan Parliament .Needless to mention that a number of warlords have actually carved out drug-routes in-between themselves and the Talibans and their integration would rather aggravate the problem of trafficking in drugs contrary to the arms of US-led war.Even more surprising ,Pakistan is being given a role in the process of integrating Taliban,though Pakistan itself under Zia-ul-Haq was instrumental in driving Mujhahideens towards fundamental terrorism and later fostering Talibans in his quest for “strategic Depth” that ultimately led to Al-Qaeda acquiring sanctuary in that country and 9/11 terrorist attacks in America.In a strange and peculiar manner the normalization in Afghanistan and its akin FATA (tribal area) in Pakistan is being built along similar scary lines.Even Pakistan army known for harboring roguish elements and political ambitions that often found way in seizing power in Pakistan has offered to train Afghan forces where as Afghan forces need to be trained as a strict professional force and under personnel with proficiency in effectively controlling the trafficking in drugs away from the cancer of corruption. Thus even before US and NATO forces,duly reinforced with additional 30,000 US troops and some thousand extra NATO troops and some extra NATO troops start the operation n Kandahar there is an urgent need to rectify the flawed integration process Taliban need to be suitably degraded so that there is no re-emergence of previously seen ghastly environments. In the context of these short comings in US approach,it is natural for countries in this region particularly Iran,Russia ,India and China to come forward for sharing common strategic concerns so that stability and development in Afghanistan is properly ensured.

India and Russia to strengthen strategic partnership

India and Russia will strengthen their bilateral ties in crucial areas such as atomic energy,space and defence during this visit of Prime Minister Putin to India . Pavel Felgenhauer a Russian political and military analyst is of the view that Putin’s this visit is mostly about military aspects.Both the countries are mainly focused on the issue of stability in the Central Asia particularly Afghanistan.The talks are also likely to cover energy security and trade. The talks will also cover common strategic interest focusing on the security situation in Afghanistan but are also likely to extend on other global issues such as global financial crisis and climate change .Earlier , Russia and India agreed to a 10-year weapons deal that could be worth at least $10-billion. They are also building a modern supersonic stealth fighter aircraft. During Putin fifth visit to India.the delegation includes Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin considered as a pointsman on India-Russia ties. Russia remains India’s major supplier of arms and military technology and is already engaged in building four nuclear reactors in India . The present focus would be on military agreements such as developing a military transport aircraft and supplying MiG-29K fighters. Of strategic interest would be the closure of talks on civilian and military utilization of the Russia Glonass (the Global Navigation Satellite System), the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System, as well as an agreement on cooperation in R&D on civil nuclear energy. MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said "During the very successful visit of our Prime Minister to Russia last year in December,both the sides adopted a Joint Declaration on Deepening the Strategic Partnership to meet Global Challenges.' Ours is a truly multifaceted strategic partnership spanning a whole range of areas such as defence, nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, science and technology, space, economic and trade". Both countries are also expected to boost bilateral trade as neither has made a significant presence in each other's markets. India's state-run energy company, ONGC, has been trying to augment its position in Russia.Together Russia and India along with Brazil and China, are part of the so-called BRIC grouping of major developing economies trying to promote a multi-polar world not dominated by the United States.

Iraq elections promise a positive impact

Iraq’s most crucial parliamentary elections ,that may even see the country unified in sectarian terms, thanks to Sunnis declaring their full participation in these polls in contrast to the earlier 2005 elections boycotted by them, take place today the 7th march 2010 ,as a focus of attention of the entire world.Even with greater focus and concerns these elections will be watched by its neighbours Iran,Saudi Arabia,Syria and other countries in the Mid-East in order to judge as to along what lines the Mid East region may undergo its transformation.

The one-day Sunday poll takes place simultaneously in the country as well as 16 countries around the world where an estimated 1.4 million displaced Iraqis will exercise their mandate.About 19 million of Iraq’s estimated 28 million people are eligible to vote.However about 600,000 to 700,000 people took part in early voting on Thursday 4th March as they could not take part in Sunday poll .These included detainees,hospital patients and military and security personnel who are working on election day.


With 306 political entities registered to run for only 325 seats in the council of representatives, and more than 5000 candidates standing in the elections, no clear picture of any alliance, that may form the government can be forseen. But a Shiite taking the top job of Prime Minister appears certain, though they are not as united as in 2005 polls.Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,the Shiite head of the ‘State of law Alliance’, a religious coalition with a secular outlook that includes several Sunni tribal sheikhs, says he is “certain” of his poll victory. His rivals include Iyad Allawi ,a Shiite former Prime Minister who heads Iraqiya list, a secular coalition which has a strong support in Sunni areas. Among others, Ahmed Chalabi a former deputy premier, Adel Abdel Mahdi,the country’s Shi’ite vice president and Baqer Jaber Salogh,the finance Minister are the main rivals who represent Iraq National Alliance (INA).


The extraordinary high number of about 5000 candidates in the election leaves a wide scope of horse-trading to form the governing coalition.


About 500 candidates both from Sunni and Shiite seats have been excluded from these polls after being accused of links to Saddam’s outlawed Baath party.Thus a row over their reinstatement,and concerns about the legitimacy of the unelected Justice and accountability Committee that barred them, has become the central issue of elections overshadowing the policies that the candidates were expected to stress.

The country may soon be seen engaged in serious national reconciliation efforts after the elections.More so since the US soldiers withdrew from urban areas last summer and all combat troops are due to pull out by September with only 50,000-strong training and advisory force left behind to leave by the end of 2011.

There are three major Kurdish parties :the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP),the patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Gorren (Movement for change).

The KDP and KUP are well established historical parties advocating Kurdish rights and together they form the Democratic Alliance of Kurdistan, as represented in the Iraqi Parliament. They also control the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdish Regional Assembly and remain united in these elections.

The most positive note appears to be the enthusiasm among both Shi’ite and Sunni sects for participation in these elections. Sheikh Abdul Rahman al Jorani exhorted Iraqis “You must go to voting centres because it is your duty”. Likewise Ahmed al Safi a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al Sistani described these elections as a “huge vital issue” essential to ensuring that Iraqis can “draw their own future” .Thus Al-Qaeda threat to disrupt this election by “military means” may go unheeded.

There is a scope that Iraq elections may prove a turning point in delivering progressive outlook and enhanced relations in the countries of Mid-East.

Regional approach to ensure South Asia security: Iran

New Delhi: The Twin conferences first held in Istanbul ( on 26th January) and the second held later in London (on 28th January) in order to tackle the fast deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, as well as in Pakistan (both clubbed together as Af-Pak area by US strategists and war commanders in view of their intricate and mutually exacerbating Taliban menace), have failed to make any positive impact with some of the NATO countries themselves already doubtful of the outcome. Though the area, in question, was immediately adjacent to Iran on the west and India on the East, these conferences did not even attempt to address the concerns of both these countries. Ironically the said terrorism has not only been spilling over in both the said countries but these are being also targeted by terrorists to disrupt their governmental and financial activities. Strange though it may appear, India was specifically excluded from the Istanbul Conference (though now regretted by the host government of turkey) and Iran did not attend the London conference, as the text of agreement was allegedly prepared beforehand by the numerically dominating countries though their distant concerns could hardly outweigh the concerns of India and Iran.

The declared time of US quitting military action in Afghanistan by July 31, 2011 and the strategy laid down in London Conference of stitching up a political reconciliation with moderate Talibans and integrating them in government administration along with tribal chiefs and even some of warlord's looks puzzling. How could this change the economic conditions of Afghans and transform the society away from extremism. Thus situation may soon lurch towards terrorism.


Thus emboldened, the Taliban and LeT outfits in Pakistan along with roguish elements in Pakistan army, ISI as well as civilian administration have overshadowed the India-Pak peace talks even though Pakistan is being driven to the edge of instability by repeated terrorist attacks in its financial capital of Karachi and in other places across the country. Awakened to a sense of security concern for the area, Iran has vocally come out in favour of these talks ready to facilitate a positive outcome. The government in Pakistan should also deal ruthlessly with the situation, as the state of Pakistan is also under serious threat with consequences that may be difficult to assess in their volatile situation.


Iran has thus come out strongly against the US exit strategy with Iran's envoy Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh saying on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Islamic Revolution in Iran that "We don't believe in good or bad Taliban" adding that "From 2001, foreign forces have been in Afghanistan with three aims: stop growing narcotics, fight terror and establish security in the region and none of these have been realized". According to his views the neighbouring countries "were duty-bound to provide peace and stability in Afghanistan. The "US surge operations" planning drone attacks in Pakistan tribal area may only prove to be a cover for US and NATO forces to retreat without harassment by the Taliban.


The Obama administration and its Afghan allies are thus now mainly focused on exploiting the fissures between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, as new details have emerged about the tense relationship between the two networks. Besides, according to the US approach, ideological and personality differences markedly exist between the two. While Taliban is an indigenous movement composed mostly of ethnic Pashtuns focused on power in their homebase in Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, the Al-Qaeda leadership is almost entirely Arab and the outfit is fighting a global struggle for supremacy and security of islam. How this difference will ultimately unfold is yet unpredictable. But it clearly shows that in the concluding stage of US intervention in Afghanistan, the US action is mainly Al-Qaeda centre that concerns terrorist attacks across the globe endangering US interests. And the Taliban may be seriously seeking the destruction of the state of Pakistan.


A regional framework by involving India, Iran, China and Russia to ensure stability in this area in the long- run may prove to be a dire necessity. Hints to this effect had already been dropped by Obama while finalizing a "re-set" of relationship with Russia and later seeking China to share partly the burden of South Asia. As the situation may undergo a sea change, it may be better to engage also with South Korea and Japan and adopt a constructive approach to the situation that may be in the largest interest of Asia.

Stability in Afghanistan essential for South Asia

Published: Tue, 16 Dec 2008
Bush administration’s strategy in allying Pakistan in its Afghanistan war against Taliban regime was greatly flawed.The strategy was adopted in view of unique geographical location of Pakistan that provided all the land routes to the eastern borders of the landlocked country.

Western borders of Afghanistan faced Iran, which had snapped diplomatic relations with US since the days of Islamic revolution in the year 1978 and US embassy hostage issue of 1979, that barred any action in executing the said war. But the strategy adopted failed to take notice of the fact that all these supply routes ran through the tribal belt of Pakistan infested with militants having deep ethnic,linguistic and cultural links and ties with the pashtun population of Afghanistan. Moreover they had a culture of hate against all foreigners and had a tradition of looting and hijacking the supplies along with transports. The main supply route from Peshawar to Kabul falls in the lawless Khyber agency area till it crosses the border at Torkham .The other main land route runs through the border town of Chaman to the south Afghan city of Kandahar. In addition to its intense ethnic, cultural and linguistic links, an extreme type of Sunni fundamentalism was promoted in this area thanks to a strategy promoted by former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq who worked out a policy of waging a proxy against India through acts of terrorism. These tribal areas also known as Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) are actually administered through various agencies and and continue to remain outside the law and order administration of Pakistan though they remain within the sovereign territories of Pakistan .Even the Pakistan authorities during disturbed times transport their supplies through these routes in convoys under armed escorts.


Moreover the Taliban flourish only in the pashtun areas of Afghanistan had greater affinity with them than the non-Pastun population of Pakistan itself. Pakistani authorities therefore could hardly be of any significant help in the US war effort against Taliban.Instead this tribal area was in fact more prone to become a part of the problem. Eventually this area saw the rise of Pakistani Taliban’s that added yet another dimension to the Afghan war . In the wake of September 11,2001 US attack on Taliban regime in Afghanistan territory, a substantial number of tajiks,Chechans and Arab fighters crossed over to Pakistan tribal areas.Suddenly local tribal fighters who had earlier taken part in the Afghan resistance against the soviets also joined them that swelled their ranks substantially and the Taliban spread extensively through the tribal belt .initially these Talibans staged daring cross-border attacks on the US led forces in Afghanistan on “hit and run” basis.But now they are carrying out major operations while staying in Afghanistan under a dreaded commander Baitullah Mahsud. General Musharraf in fact allied with US efforts in Afghanistan on the spur of the moment in order to tighten his grip on Pakistan .He also needed American financial assistance .Besides he sensed an opportunity of cornering a sizeable quantity of US arms to be used against India.His dubious role was later much criticized in US media. As was revealed during last days of his regime, Pakistan Taliban Movement actually advanced deeply into Pakistan itself up to its capital city of Islamabad resulting in the Lal Masjid episode and later executing terrorists attacks in various cities of Pakistan. Pakistan President Zardari recently rightly concluded that real danger to Pakistan does not come from India but from the Taliban attacks within the country.Taliban in a way also represents sub-Nationalism of Pashtun ethnic group and appears intent on laying bare the ethnic faultlines of Pakistan that may destroy the state itself.


With Obama declaring that his administration will not hesitate to strongly pursue and eliminate al-Qaeda and Taliban hiding in tribal areas of Pakistan,Muller who is overseeing an “Afghanistan and Pakistan transition strategy” at the Pentagon, is redrawing the map of the ‘Afghanistan battle space’ that would also include the tribal region of western Pakistan. Forceful messages have already been delivered to Pakistan officials to step up attacks against Taliban and Al-Qaeda sanctuaries in their territories

Elections under economic gloom---a changing political scenario

The timing of the general elections commencing 16th April 2009 has left both the congress and the BJP worrying. Congress finds itself slipping significantly on the number game at the polls thanks to economic gloom, vanishing jobs and the prevailing sense of lax internal security in the context of Mumbai blasts.The return of the Hindutva agenda in the BJP,finds its alliance partners distancing themselves away from it to keep their secular credentials intact. Sensing that the congress –led alliance may not make up to the magic number of 272 to occupy the seat of power in New Delhi, its alliance partners are desperately trying to enhance their own number so that they could play their game ,should any other conglomerate appear successful in a bid for power after the elections. Congress on its part is trying hard not to cede any extra seat to its partners, lest it may be seen as a shrinking party in the countrywide context besides somewhat losing its dominant position as a single party. Electoral understanding or pacts between the congress and its alliance partners with regard to seat sharing are therefore under severe threat. The emergence of a “third front “swearing by secular credentials has further complicated the matters for congress. Various alliance partners appear intent on enhancing their share within their respective state as well as in other states of their influence. Some alliance partners like Sharad pawar,Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Yadav are even in contact between themselves as well as with leaders of other parties outside the UPA so that they could later play their games even after breaking ranks with the UPA. Prominent among them Sharad Pawar acting shrewdly has even warned congress that non-congress parties have made overtures to NCP for alliances in other states.Citing the examples of TDP in Andhra Pradesh,some parties in Tamil Nadu, North-east and Orissa, he is pressing congress to cede seats to NCP in other states. He is also rumoured to be in contact with Shiv Sena.Riding the Maharashtra feelings though stirred by Raj Thackeray recently,he even harbours ambitions to occupy the seat of power in New Delhi. In the politically crucial state of UP, Mayawati factor based on a concept of “Social Engineering” with Dalit-Brahmin vote bank and also exercising considerable influence over Muslim votes ,looms large both against congress-SP tie up as well as BJP.Countering this,Mulayam Singh Yadav has tied up with the BJP rebel Kalyan Singh who weilds much influence in a number of UP districts dominated by his community.BJP on its part has concluded a pact with Jat dominated RLD led by Ajit Singh who holds considerable sway in western UP .But as an odd and adverse factor,the seat-sharing arrangement between congress and SP is under considerable strain and the stalemate continues with SP not willing to cede more than 17 seats to congress against its demand of 25 seats.Lately the negotiations within different parties have turned so fiercethat it has resulted in Naveen Patnaik’s BJD walking out of its ten year old alliance with BJP and instead stitching an alliance with CPM,CPI,JMM and NCP,while Mulayam Singh has taken a still tough position by leaving only six seats for the Congress . In Andhra Pradesh,Satyam/Maytas episode may mar congress prospects with Naidu raising a high pitch against the congress Chief Minister for his alleged involvement in the irregularities concerning the said companies .While in Tamil Nadu ultimate handling of Tamil civilians by Sri Lanka government of the island nation may effect the fortunes of various parties in a most unpredictable manner .Left parties openly supporting the third front or some other alternative of secular credentials also does not bode well for congress.In West Bengal,it is still unclear as to how much congress will benefit due to Mamta-Congress tie-up .In Assam BJP and AGP have sealed a pre-poll pact whereby BJP will contest eight seats leaving six for the AGP to ensure that anti-Congress vote is not divided that may present a stiff challenge to the congress This appears to be a time of shifting of votes and loyalties.There can be a likelihood of fragmented mandate which may bring in the days of changing coalitions.
Updated : Saturday, 28 Mar 2009, 11:46 [IST]

Speedy justice for undertrials

Starting 26th January this year, government has launched a mission for the release, by the target date of July 31,of 1.25 lakh of 1.70 lakh undertrials languishing in jails,booked for petty offences and having served a major part of the prescribed sentence .Besides ending the traumatized conditions of the inmates and agony of their families ,it will go a long way in improving the conditions of jails currently overcrowded with 3.5 lakh prisoners against the total capacity of 2.5 lakh.The mission envisages offering undertrials option for ‘plan bargain’:admit guilt ,judge sentences to periods of imprisonment already served or in the alternative conduct trials on day-to-day basis inside prison premises or through video-conferencing.


The move is laudable in the context of high handed attitude of law enforcing personnel towards criminals and general apathy of prosecuting agencies and the judiciary to the fate of undertrials.This had the overall effect of rather segregating them from society and making it even impossible for them to return to society as normal individuals for rehabilitation.The aim of law to reform the criminals thus stood defeated.


Numerous cases on fake charges registered against innocent individuals ,some even at the instance of top cops,have prominently come to light recently.Ruchika case tells how her brother was statedly booked under false charges, her family almost ruined and she ended her life under humiliation.To guard against such cases ,it may be appropriate if the government set up a specific authority where individuals can take recourse to guard against the criminal-like inclinations of law enforcing officials.Government must ensure that people’s faith in law is not shaken.

Global perspectives lay added stress on modernity and enlightened society for the benefit of mankind.There is thus even a greater need to undertake a review of law to do away with provisions that may be unduly harsh, gender biased or may in any manner hinder the progress of society.Justice Delivery System may also be streamlined to ensure speedy justice and provide for easy bails to undertrials.Where prosecution tends to be unduly prolonged so that the inmates do not get traumatized inside jails and their families suffer outside due to lack of financial and emotional support.


Overcrowded jails and cumbersome prosecutions place heavy burden on government finances that are ultimately funded by the tax payers .These departments therefore are required to be manned more considerately .These efficiencies would further cut the backlog in courts thus ensuring a bit speedier disposal of cases.

India,Bangladesh meet-a new phase of relationship

With various countries of South Asia struggling against internal strife or facing violence domestically or from across the borders ,the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed to India this week may prove the beginning of a new phase of relationship between the two countries that could be the first step towards combating international terrorism in this region and additionally bring about marked improvement in the trade and economic environment of Bangladesh.The slew of agreements concluded between the two countries includes a significant concession of providing road and rail links from Bangladesh to Nepal as well as to Bhutan via India,carrying the potential of facilitating Bangladesh’s economic integration with other countries in this region which may also boost its trade with even other distant countries. The other agreements of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; combating international terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking and transfer of sentenced persons may go a long way in ridding this region of the scourge of terrorism.

It could be more meaningful if such like issues are discussed in-between various countries of this region with a view to institutionalize such matters of common concern and provide strong structures so that all countries big or small may take recourse to safeguard their interests on equal footing.This would naturally promote cohesiveness in this region and enhance the prospects of economic integration.

Paradoxically ,countries in Europe that were at war during world war II intent on devouring those on the opposite side have completely given up their hostilities and are now rather united in the form of European Union to boost their economic interests while countries in South Asia after the British power left this region are virtually adopting antagonist policies of hatred towards the neghibouring countries.

Resultantly the region is torn with terrorism and as a result economic advancement of almost all the countries suffers and the people live in poverty and misery.If united,we could put higher stakes to global resources at institutions like UN,World Bank and enjoy better clout in International fora. On the other hand divisive and retrograde forces at play undermine the interests of our countries.

Though Sri Lanka has succeeded in eliminating the terrorist organization of LTTE,Nepal is hopefully likely to emerge stronger after the peace process, India is squarely handling the naxalite problem which somehow appeared as having links to the situations prevailing in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Pakistan may also recover from its domestic terrorism while Afghanistan is at the centre of focus of International efforts to impart stability to this country.Coordinated efforts may be the key solution to bring concord and harmony to this area for mutual benefits.

Cultural and linguistic ties have not been properly exploited at Govt-to-Govt level as well as people-to-people levels to bestow sanity and goodwill in this region though films from bollywood and Pakistan equally touch the chord of people in the entire region.

The current meet between the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh may thus prove a turning point in imparting goodwill,stability and economic advancement in Bangladesh and similar approach may gradually embrace the whole region yielding the dividends of progress and prosperity.

Al-Qaeda spreads its network

Al Qaeda and its affiliate terror outfits have suddenly branched out to newer territories like Yemen and Somalia while the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are yet to be concluded.Worst still, it is adapting to more complicated networks and sophisticated ways of operation that appear beyond the grasp of coordinated intelligence sharing at international level of US and its allied countries. Now a Nigerian national Mr Abdulmutallab ,who recently turned a terrorist, was able to procure explosives from Yemen and evade security, screening and intelligence monitoring while traveling through Ethiopia,Ghana and Nigeria to Schiphal airport in Amsterdam and boarded flight no 253 to Detroit on Christmas day now stuns the whole world.This despite the fact that father of the accused intimated the fact of his becoming a terrorist to the Nigerian Authorities and the American embassy in Abuja.The intended terrorist blast was however averted by luck.Obama thus bluntly said “That’s not acceptable and I will not tolerate it.”


Located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula,Yemen is a poor muslim country with a weak central government, armed tribal groups in outlying areas and porous borders.Besides the central government is currently struggling to contain an uprising by Shia Houthi rebels in the north and a secessionist movement in the south.It therefore provided an ideal location for the fresh growth of Al Qaeda organization and its network,whose presence is otherwise considered to be quite old.Yemenis affiliated with Al Qaeda were responsible for October 2000 bombing of the navy destroyer US.S.Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden.Now Gorden Brown the British Prime Minister is holding a meeting in London on January 28, to discuss ways to counter this radicalization in Yemen.

Clearly the two wars in Afghanistan,Iraq fought after 9/11 as part of the “war on terror”, to promote democratic regimes for economic betterment of the people failed to obtain the desired results.The outcome of these two lengthy wars appears uncertain as to how it will actually transform this region.And the US has squandered its resources heavily.Resorting to military means for regime change has mostly proved counter productive .Military minds and war commanders have seldom been able to judge the consequences of war.Wisdom ordains adopting such approaches that should bring in concord and harmony .Such an approach is available even in the midst of wars or wars like situation.

One such idea has recently been floated by British Foreign secretary Miliband .According to him Afghanistan is keen on having regional forum comprising India, Iran, Pakistan and Russia in place before June 2011,the proposed time frame for US and NATO troops to start reducing presence in that country.

Such multilateral concepts of spreading peace in different regions should be seriously considered and implemented to overcome the scourge of terrorism. In order to contain the terrorism in Yemen a regional approach that may look after the economic interests of Yemen and other neighbouring countries may prove more useful in dealing with the Al Qaeda problem.The US has now increased its counter –terrorism aid to Yemen in an intensified campaign to uproot Al-Qaeda’s offshoot in this country.Yemen however opposes any direct intervention by US or other foreign troops in the fight against al-Qaeda with their Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi saying “ I’m sure that their experiences in Iraq,Afghanistan and Pakistan will be very useful to learn from -----that direct intervention complicates things”.

An “Accord” without any semblance of consensus

Without a consensus,or a semblance thereof,the fortnight-long climate change conference ended with an “Accord” that was almost never agreed by thr majority of attending countries,who only “took note” of the said document .As it turned out to be ,the document was a mere political statement that was legally non-binding.Oddly still the deal was struck by US President Obama seizing the last moments of the conference with the BASIC four-China,India,Brazil,South Africa and a group of influential countries.



Contrasting with the outcome, the climate negotiators were labouring tirelessly under two tracks viz ‘Kyoto Protocol’ and “long term cooperative Action (LAC)” that required the parties to produce legally binding treaty before the first commitment period of the Kyoto protocol ends in 2012 to fix the hazardous climate change .The previously mandated gas emission targets,ensuring commitments from rich nations on new or additional financial resources to fund adaptations and mitigations in developing countries,agreement over technology to developing countries, ambitions and binding targets for rich countries beyond 2012 did not find a place in the “Accord”. Instead rich countries will commit to provide US$ 30 billion for the period 2010-2012 for funding adaptation and mitigation efforts in the developing countries and that rich countries would set up a fund that would be able to provide US$ 100 billion per year after 2020.


But the most offending clause for developing countries ‘to allow international consultations and analysis under clearly defined guidelines on their domestic voluntary mitigation actions’ was incorporated.This could cause misunderstanding and misinterpretation in due course .


Indian Prime Minister participated in the closed door meeting with Obama and India ensured it would sign on the accord. Many of the African and Latin American countries were critical of the accord which had no reference to any targets for emission reductions by the rich countries.


Back home, the Accord was strongly criticized in parliament with Arun Jaitely saying “This Copenhagen Accord is a global disappointment, it is a betrayal of the poor and developing nations and a premium for the default of the developed countries”.Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh admitted to deviation in India’s stand that had been insisting on finance and technology being made available by rich countries in order to take on major reductions in green house gas emissions .,

Likewise the consept of ‘Peak Year’ came in for strong criticism.To sum up the Accord only shows the way forward with much desired to be achieved in future meetings of the Copenhagen style conferences.

Further splintering of states--a political agenda

As the Congress bosses in Delhi were busy promoting the weak leadership of K Rosaiah in Andhra Pradesh (after the death of former Chief minister YSR),it provided an ample room to KCR of Telangana Rashtra Samiti to vigorously pursue his long pending demand for creation of a separate Telangana state by undertaking a fast unto death .With the fasting leader’s health suddenly deteriorating ,the centre guardedly agreed to the demand of bifurcation of Andhra state subject to state Assembly passing a resolution for creation of a separate Telangana.

Soon the state was plunged into utter chaos and, as the matters stand today,the status of more than 130 MLAs from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra ,who submitted their resignations against the creation of a Telangana state,remains uncertain.Later with Andhra Assembly adjourned sine die and the centre leaving the issue to the state itself,the bifurcation issue has been put on the back burner..


But as a side effect of these happenings ,KCR’s son Tarakarama Rao has also prominently emerged on the political horizon of the state.

The issue of bifurcation prominently brings forth wider implications both at the State and national level that need deep study and appropriate action.

The Andhra’s Capital city of Hyderabad has already acquired a cosmopolitan status being a hub on international IT map,high growth of Real Estatae and location for a number of central defence and civil offices.Resulatantly the people of Rayalaseema and coastal regions have been seen as seriously resisting the merger of this city with the Telangana State though the city geographically and historically squarely falls in the Telangana region.From a reverse view,the merger of Hyderabad with the backward state of Telangana may dim the future growth of this city itself.A mechanism to promote the economic interests of the Telangana region could be a way out of the problem of division of the state of Andhra Pradesh .

At the national level various political parties have suddenly started a chorus for the creation of a number of smaller states stressing the development and regional interests of the concerned areas.Mayawati who otherwise comfortably rules the state of UP with an absolute majority still has written to the Prime Minister for four states to be carved out of Uttar Pradesh to speed up the development of this otherwise neglected and economically backward state.This move diminishes the political impact of development efforts recently launched by Congress led UPA government in the Bundelkhand area of UP.Creation of Gorkhaland for the Darjeeling and its adjoining areas alienated from the rest of Bengal both culturally and geographically raised by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.Since a mumber of years also resonates across the country.Similarly demands are being raised for bifurcation of Maharashtra and lately even of bihar.Statehoods are now being sought on the key issues of development and administrative imperatives.But raising the demands for division of states is primarily a political agenda.

Clinching the Statehood unilaterally

The Mid-East “peace process” continues to drag endlessly for decades. A bitter sense of desperation has already overtaken the prolonged frustration of Palestinians over non-realization of statehood for their territories. They have now begun to think radically for a unilateral declaration of a state of Palestine and seek recognition by the UN.


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbbas thus disappointed over this has already declared on November 5,2009 that he would not seek re-election in general and presidential polls due in January next year. Likewise chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat recently declared in Ramallah “We have reached a decision to go to the United Nations Security Council to ask for recognition of an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital and with June 1967 borders” adding “We are going to seek support from European Union countries and Russia and other countries.”

Commenting in a similar vein, Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad said “I know some people are concerned that this is unilateral but it seems to me that it is unilateral in a healthy sense of self development”. Elucidating further he remarked that it was the responsibility of Palestinian Authority to lay the ground work of statehood while it is upto Palestinian Liberation Organization to actually declare the state when conditions are right.

Hawkish Israeli Premier Netanyahu though issuing a stern warning of Israeli one-sided response to such a move simultaneously emphasized that path to peace was at the negotiation table adding negotiations must begin “ at once and in good faith”.But at the same time he remains unrelenting to a Palestinian demand to freeze all construction activity in the West Bank as a pre–condition to kick start stalled peace process.


The confrontation that thus persists can get worse any time. Israel’s ‘War Crimes’ in Gaza are already with the UN,four million people living in the West Bank and Gaza strip are to this day deprived of their most basic human rights.Jewish settlements expansion in East Jerusalem continues unabted in spite of US “dismay”.Such confrontational situations can anytime degenerate into armed struggle deteriorating further into a war over unilateral declaration of statehood. US, being already tied with uneasy situations in Afghanistan,Pakistan and Iraq,must effectively prevail over Israel to implement the ‘peace process’ urgently for creation of the state of Palestine.


Memories of Nazis’ atrocities though deeply etched on the Jewish psyche, do not appear to stir their feelings and enlighten their vision to live in harmony with others especially in their neighbourhood.