Not without reason, US-led war against Talibans (or terrorism) has gone astray and continues to baffle the best of their civil and military minds. What actually continues to upset their plans has been the wrong choice of Pakistan as a close ally in this war.US was obviously driven to make this flawed choice since Pakistan controlled almost all the routes to the theater of war ,has a bulk of population that speaks the same language (Pushto) and has cradled in the same culture. Additionally they were well acquitted with the topography of areas inhabited by Talibans and thus well versed in their traditional art of warfare.
But these very things proved to be the undoing of their plans as Pakistan had a basic conflict of interest in this episode .Pakistan had infact promoted the Taliban ideology and supported their existence so that they could enable a sizable irregular army of hardcore fundamentalists in the event of war with India. Afghanistan under Taliban regime could also provide Pakistan a ‘strategic depth’ in a similar situation. Talibans were also being used for launching terrorist activities. These drawbacks were very much in the knowledge of US. But they ignored this in a misplaced belief that Pakistan could be lured to act with them by providing financial assistance and military aid.
Now having virtually run out of time and failed to achieve its objectives, US slides as a global power.
Pakistan is given to a number of strange peculiarities. Its ethnic fault lines specifically deny this country the traits of nationhood. Resultantly Bangladesh violently broke away from the country rubbishing the thesis of religion as the sole criteria of nationhood. But the lessons of history have still not been learnt. Pushtuns and Balochs, not properly assimilated in the nationhood and denied due participation, are wreaking terrorism in this country. They refuse to accept the role of irregular gunrunners living in poverty and deprivation. .While the country faces disintegration; its army and ISI are engaged in launching terrorism in India with or without the knowledge of civilian administration. Not only that, during the recent meet of Foreign ministers of India and Pakistan , Qureshi adopted vain postures showing lack of commitment to the peace talks. Leaders of Pakistan do not refer to the internal strength of their country if any, for reason known to themselves but mostly refer to their country as a ‘hub of world power’ thereby trying to allure other countries for adventurism in the area that should be home to peace for progress and prosperity.
Jul 23, 2010
Jul 14, 2010
Conclude Afghanistan war in a tough manner
The nine year war to wipe out terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and adjoining tribal belt of Pakistan due to unlawful activities of al Qaeda and taliban has obviously not borne the desired results. Instead it has now been revealed that the said terrorist organizations have quickly spread their network over extraordinary large areas additionally getting criminals from different countries like David Coleman Headily absorbed into their cadres.
This increasingly menacing problem now requires the task of intelligence gatherings and sharing for taking coordinated action sharply to obviate terrorist attacks even all the more imperative.
But this should not deviate the US and NATO forces/ countries from concluding this war in a tough and ruthless manner so that the Taliban and al Qaeda menace does not raise its ugly head again. already illogical announcement of 'surge and exit' plan by the Obama administration and the recent disarray in war strategies contemplated by the White house strategists and differently perceived by the on the ground war generals that resulted in replacing Gen Mc crystal by Gen Petraeus has had the effect of emboldening the Taliban twice .First, wining side does not announce its exit plan without having defeated and undone the enemy. Second, wining armies do not undergo replacement of generals in the concluding stages of war, in the way this has been done .
These drawbacks have already shown their telling effects inside Afghanistan with marked deterioration in political scene adversely affecting US interests. Hamid Karzai who was till recently vowing to fight back the Talibans now appears in worrisome quest even for striking a power sharing deal with Taliban’s ready, for the said reason, to give political influence over his country to Pakistan. Reportedly with this objective in view. Pakistan army chief Chief kayani and Pakistan ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha had a face to face meeting with Hamid Karzai. There are also reports that even Haqqani network operating across Pakistan borders in the adjoining areas of Afghanistan may also find a role. How US and NATO forces war objectives are being met is not at all clear .Talibans who never hesitate to break their pledges at the last moment may present a scary situation for the retreating US troops.
Sensing this changing scenario, Pakistan president has recently had talks with Chinese premier HU Jintao in Beijing for conducting feasibility talks for constructing a road from kashgar (in xinijang) to Hawelian in Pakistan through Karakorum that may shorten the entire distance to 750 km. Indian authorities see this as an increasingly military infrastructure not in the interest of peace for this region.
Further recently resignations of Bismullah khan , the chief of staff of afghan army and Arumullah Saleh , the head of afghan intelligence, both of them being non-pushtuns has created suspicion and resistance among the non-pashtun population of Afghanistan and Abdullah Abdullah has openly spoken of Afghanistan slipping into chaotic conditions of civil war witnessed in the early years of war, when Ahmad Shah Mehsud was fighting the talibans from northern alliance .
Regional powers like China, Iran , India and Russia are watching the situation with grave concerns .Some quarters in US and European countries are also eyeing the possibility of division of Afghanistan with Northern areas including Kabul under Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara (non-Pashtun) control while southern areas with Pashtun population and Taliban presence being stationed with US troops permanently.
Aghanistan has traditionally been the transit route for large armies and populations.Afghanistan divided population may now pave a similar path for emerging power of china desiring to march even in territories of Pakistan with similar intentions . Pakistan has already witnessed areas breaking up violently due to linguistic and ethnic faultlines resulting in formation of Bangladesh . Nobody can predict how the history of this region will be shaped in the regional power struggle.
India should therefore give up its weak foreign policy with subdued approaches with regard to Pakistan-Afghanistan problem and instead adopt a strong posture so that Pakistan does not stand as a wall to the legitimate global commercial and trade interests of India in Central Asia , West Asia and other parts of Mid East.
The article was published in website
http://english.samaylive.com/nation/articles/676468135.html
This increasingly menacing problem now requires the task of intelligence gatherings and sharing for taking coordinated action sharply to obviate terrorist attacks even all the more imperative.
But this should not deviate the US and NATO forces/ countries from concluding this war in a tough and ruthless manner so that the Taliban and al Qaeda menace does not raise its ugly head again. already illogical announcement of 'surge and exit' plan by the Obama administration and the recent disarray in war strategies contemplated by the White house strategists and differently perceived by the on the ground war generals that resulted in replacing Gen Mc crystal by Gen Petraeus has had the effect of emboldening the Taliban twice .First, wining side does not announce its exit plan without having defeated and undone the enemy. Second, wining armies do not undergo replacement of generals in the concluding stages of war, in the way this has been done .
These drawbacks have already shown their telling effects inside Afghanistan with marked deterioration in political scene adversely affecting US interests. Hamid Karzai who was till recently vowing to fight back the Talibans now appears in worrisome quest even for striking a power sharing deal with Taliban’s ready, for the said reason, to give political influence over his country to Pakistan. Reportedly with this objective in view. Pakistan army chief Chief kayani and Pakistan ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha had a face to face meeting with Hamid Karzai. There are also reports that even Haqqani network operating across Pakistan borders in the adjoining areas of Afghanistan may also find a role. How US and NATO forces war objectives are being met is not at all clear .Talibans who never hesitate to break their pledges at the last moment may present a scary situation for the retreating US troops.
Sensing this changing scenario, Pakistan president has recently had talks with Chinese premier HU Jintao in Beijing for conducting feasibility talks for constructing a road from kashgar (in xinijang) to Hawelian in Pakistan through Karakorum that may shorten the entire distance to 750 km. Indian authorities see this as an increasingly military infrastructure not in the interest of peace for this region.
Further recently resignations of Bismullah khan , the chief of staff of afghan army and Arumullah Saleh , the head of afghan intelligence, both of them being non-pushtuns has created suspicion and resistance among the non-pashtun population of Afghanistan and Abdullah Abdullah has openly spoken of Afghanistan slipping into chaotic conditions of civil war witnessed in the early years of war, when Ahmad Shah Mehsud was fighting the talibans from northern alliance .
Regional powers like China, Iran , India and Russia are watching the situation with grave concerns .Some quarters in US and European countries are also eyeing the possibility of division of Afghanistan with Northern areas including Kabul under Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara (non-Pashtun) control while southern areas with Pashtun population and Taliban presence being stationed with US troops permanently.
Aghanistan has traditionally been the transit route for large armies and populations.Afghanistan divided population may now pave a similar path for emerging power of china desiring to march even in territories of Pakistan with similar intentions . Pakistan has already witnessed areas breaking up violently due to linguistic and ethnic faultlines resulting in formation of Bangladesh . Nobody can predict how the history of this region will be shaped in the regional power struggle.
India should therefore give up its weak foreign policy with subdued approaches with regard to Pakistan-Afghanistan problem and instead adopt a strong posture so that Pakistan does not stand as a wall to the legitimate global commercial and trade interests of India in Central Asia , West Asia and other parts of Mid East.
The article was published in website
http://english.samaylive.com/nation/articles/676468135.html
Pakistan to get F-16 with tough conditions
In an effort to intensify the fight against militants in the country's tribal regions bordering Afghanistan,the US will supply fighter aircraft to Pakistan.Blake said Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Toiba is emerging as a major threat and Pakistan would be asked to deal with it seriously..On the supply of arms by US to Pakistan, Blake said that military relationship between them has been changing and they are meant to deal with the challenges at the Afghanistan border.
“We have had a good dialogue with our Indian friends about this important matter. We assure our Indian friends that the arms sale to Pakistan, the character and the nature of our military relationship is really changing now in Pakistan,” said Blake.
The US will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the end of this month under a series of tough conditions, including an assurance that Islamabad will not use the planes in any conflict with India.
This is the first time the US has publicly stated that it was taking steps to ensure that its military aid to Pakistan would not be used against India.
During last month's Strategic Dialogue between India and the US, Indian leaders had conveyed to their counterparts their concerns over the US military assistance to Pakistan.
Sources said the US Air Force personnel will arrive during the delivery of the F-16s and supervise not only the air base where they will be deployed but also the operations carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Though the jets will be flown by PAF pilots, the logistics, management and control of the F-16s will be with the US personnel.
The Block 50/52 model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles will arrive at the Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad in the last week of June, the sources said. India has been expressing concern over the United States decision to supply hi-tech weapons to Pakistan.
Military officials also pledged to upgrade the level of intelligence exchange between the two countries.United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake had assured India that the supply of hi-tech weapons to Pakistan by the US is meant to deal with the challenges on the Afghanistan border.
India has put the blame on LeT terror outfits for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which at least 166 people, including six Americans were killed
Expressing serious concern over the US government supplying new weapons to Pakistan, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Saturday said that the US government has to ensure that these weapons should not reach in the hands of terrorists and be used against India.
Defense Minister said: “Latest decision of US to provide again sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concerns to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” said A K Antony on the sidelines of function of Indian Coast Guard at Vizhinjam.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India.
“We have had a good dialogue with our Indian friends about this important matter. We assure our Indian friends that the arms sale to Pakistan, the character and the nature of our military relationship is really changing now in Pakistan,” said Blake.
The US will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the end of this month under a series of tough conditions, including an assurance that Islamabad will not use the planes in any conflict with India.
This is the first time the US has publicly stated that it was taking steps to ensure that its military aid to Pakistan would not be used against India.
During last month's Strategic Dialogue between India and the US, Indian leaders had conveyed to their counterparts their concerns over the US military assistance to Pakistan.
Sources said the US Air Force personnel will arrive during the delivery of the F-16s and supervise not only the air base where they will be deployed but also the operations carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Though the jets will be flown by PAF pilots, the logistics, management and control of the F-16s will be with the US personnel.
The Block 50/52 model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles will arrive at the Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad in the last week of June, the sources said. India has been expressing concern over the United States decision to supply hi-tech weapons to Pakistan.
Military officials also pledged to upgrade the level of intelligence exchange between the two countries.United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake had assured India that the supply of hi-tech weapons to Pakistan by the US is meant to deal with the challenges on the Afghanistan border.
India has put the blame on LeT terror outfits for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which at least 166 people, including six Americans were killed
Expressing serious concern over the US government supplying new weapons to Pakistan, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Saturday said that the US government has to ensure that these weapons should not reach in the hands of terrorists and be used against India.
Defense Minister said: “Latest decision of US to provide again sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concerns to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” said A K Antony on the sidelines of function of Indian Coast Guard at Vizhinjam.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
There have been reports that the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military’s capability to strike at Taliban and al-Qaeda targets located in remote tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India. Antony also said the United States must ensure that these arms being given to Pakistan are not used against India.
Indo-US strategic dialogue
The first India-US strategic dialogue is taking place amid the backdrop of incidents which see commonality of interests between the oldest and the largest democracies of the world. After the arrest of Pakistani American Faisal Shehzad, the Times Square bomb plotter, the US is not only talking tough, but has even warned Pakistan about taking stern action. Reports suggest that Washington is rehearsing for launching attacks against suspected terrorists and insurgents on Pakistani soil. This gives more room to India to make its point on the perils of the export of terror from Pakistan and further validates New Delhi 's grave concern over the supply of sophisticated US arms to Pakistan .
So, when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna meet in Washington on the 3rd June, this issue is likely to be discussed in great detail.
Analysts believes that Shehzad incident has been a real eye opener and a wake up call for the Obama administration to rethink and recalibrate its Pakistan policy.
Traditionally, the US has not paid much heed to India's consistent apprehensions over the issue of transnational terrorism emanating from Pakistan which the US always see as an bilateral tussle the two South Asian countries, but post Time Square incident, Pakistan's main donor United States had become much more cautious and vigilant in dealing with Islamabad.
The situation emerging in Afghanistan would also be a key discussion point in the first Indo-US strategic dialogue, the US had already hailed Indian efforts in capacity building and training of afghan security, but reconciliation and reintegration of Taliban has remained a major point of divergence between the two countries.
Any form of Taliban, good or bad, is opposed to India 's presence in Afghanistan and poses a potential danger to Indian interest. But the US, which has already lost more than thousand of its soldiers in the conflict, is working out an exit plan from the war-torn country is more than convinced that reconciliation with Taliban is the only way out and is fully supporting president Kazrai peace Jirgas initiative.
Krishna and his team will have to walk an extra mile to convince the US on this count. India has deep fears that any kind of reconciliation with the Hekamatyars and Haqqanis, which are supported by Pakistani covert agencies that could help the Taliban back to power and prove fatal for Indian interests and the huge investments India has made in the embattled country.
In fact, a certain section of United States , is also not very comfortable with Indian presence in Afghanistan . The US military commanders have voiced concern that muscle-flexing by India could provoke Pakistan and stir up regional tensions.
"Increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures in Afghanistan or India ," wrote U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, who is in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan , in a leaked assessment of the war last September.
India might not be a frontline military ally of US in the fight against terrorism but counter-terrorism is seen as an "urgent priority" matter by both the countries as it poses challenge to both India and the US . In fact cooperation in this aspect has intensified after Mumbai attacks, what signifies this this relationship is the fact that US has allowed India 's National Investigative agency to get access to 26/11 mastermind David Headley.
US India would also be discussing future strategy to evolve regional cooperation between India , Iran and Russia the idea that is often propounded by US and NATO countries.
Iran , which is at loggers head with US over its nuclear programme share warm and cosy relationship with India due to its deep civilization and cultural links. like US and India , Alike India and United States , Iran also have equal interest in decimating terrorism from Afghanistan .
Foreign Affairs expert Saeed Naqvi recently wrote, "Iranians had even more interest than the Americans to see the demise of both, Al Qaeda and Taleban. For the Iranians, this Salafi, anti Shia Islam would remain a thorn in their side unless the two were eliminated.
US officials have already stated that the main purpose of the Indo-US Strategic Dialogue to think strategically and not to focus much on "deliverables."
It was published on website http://english.samaylive.com/nation/articles/676464823.html
So, when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna meet in Washington on the 3rd June, this issue is likely to be discussed in great detail.
Analysts believes that Shehzad incident has been a real eye opener and a wake up call for the Obama administration to rethink and recalibrate its Pakistan policy.
Traditionally, the US has not paid much heed to India's consistent apprehensions over the issue of transnational terrorism emanating from Pakistan which the US always see as an bilateral tussle the two South Asian countries, but post Time Square incident, Pakistan's main donor United States had become much more cautious and vigilant in dealing with Islamabad.
The situation emerging in Afghanistan would also be a key discussion point in the first Indo-US strategic dialogue, the US had already hailed Indian efforts in capacity building and training of afghan security, but reconciliation and reintegration of Taliban has remained a major point of divergence between the two countries.
Any form of Taliban, good or bad, is opposed to India 's presence in Afghanistan and poses a potential danger to Indian interest. But the US, which has already lost more than thousand of its soldiers in the conflict, is working out an exit plan from the war-torn country is more than convinced that reconciliation with Taliban is the only way out and is fully supporting president Kazrai peace Jirgas initiative.
Krishna and his team will have to walk an extra mile to convince the US on this count. India has deep fears that any kind of reconciliation with the Hekamatyars and Haqqanis, which are supported by Pakistani covert agencies that could help the Taliban back to power and prove fatal for Indian interests and the huge investments India has made in the embattled country.
In fact, a certain section of United States , is also not very comfortable with Indian presence in Afghanistan . The US military commanders have voiced concern that muscle-flexing by India could provoke Pakistan and stir up regional tensions.
"Increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures in Afghanistan or India ," wrote U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, who is in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan , in a leaked assessment of the war last September.
India might not be a frontline military ally of US in the fight against terrorism but counter-terrorism is seen as an "urgent priority" matter by both the countries as it poses challenge to both India and the US . In fact cooperation in this aspect has intensified after Mumbai attacks, what signifies this this relationship is the fact that US has allowed India 's National Investigative agency to get access to 26/11 mastermind David Headley.
US India would also be discussing future strategy to evolve regional cooperation between India , Iran and Russia the idea that is often propounded by US and NATO countries.
Iran , which is at loggers head with US over its nuclear programme share warm and cosy relationship with India due to its deep civilization and cultural links. like US and India , Alike India and United States , Iran also have equal interest in decimating terrorism from Afghanistan .
Foreign Affairs expert Saeed Naqvi recently wrote, "Iranians had even more interest than the Americans to see the demise of both, Al Qaeda and Taleban. For the Iranians, this Salafi, anti Shia Islam would remain a thorn in their side unless the two were eliminated.
US officials have already stated that the main purpose of the Indo-US Strategic Dialogue to think strategically and not to focus much on "deliverables."
It was published on website http://english.samaylive.com/nation/articles/676464823.html
May 15, 2010
Crush naxalites ruthlessly
While extreme type of naxal violence at Dantewada resulting in brutal killing of 76 CRPF personnel by laying an ambush still agitates the nation’s mind, Supreme Court is engaged on working out a rehabilitation plan in naxal related operations where even victims of security forces and state sponsored Salwa Judum activists may also be entitled to compensation and redressal of their grievances.
The plan may amount to mainly creating a forum to be headed by a retired judge or a senior civil servant for restoring civil administration in troubled areas that may help bring about reconciliation to a much complicated problem that intricately involves crushing the cadres of an unlawful naxal organization still engaged in armed activities (or struggle) against the state, protecting the tribals and villagers deprived of their forest rights, creating development activities in the said areas so that innocent people desist from ignorantly falling prey to the games of this criminal organization.
Published 11/05/2010
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676463808.htm
But apart from tackling the said aspects of the problem ,any mid-way halting of operation Green Hunt may result in unwanted escalation of the violence related activities of the Naxals, besides giving undesirable messages about the governments intend in this regard.Naxal attacks on police personnel and police stations carry the additional aims of striking terror in the mind of the populace and plundering the arms, ammunition and weaponry of the police force that also helps them in enlarging their area of unlawful activities. How serious this problem can grow, one has only to see the situation in Nepal across our borders. Though the naxals pretend to cater to the economic and political interests of the underprivileged , their ambitions in fact centre around seizing power through armed means.
There is thus every reason to toughen the national resolve to crush this violence ruthlessly. Colonel Anil Athale who led a team to study the naxal problem in Chhattisgarh in July 2006 tells that naxalities were having an upper hand in facing the ill-equipped police forces. Thus a large number of innocent tribals joined the naxal ranks, seeing them to be on the wining side. Further the “deterrent” effect of government action against violence should not be diluted by making prior declarations about limitations on use of armed forces but government should rather make the option of deploying armed forces open, if necessary.
This may also wean away a large portion of sympathizers that may lower the morale of naxal rank and file.
A clear cut strategy to “isolate, contain and disarm/destroy” the naxal may have to be adopted. Naxalites are known to collect money through extortions and imposing illegal taxes. This may have to be tackled by tightening up the law and order management.Even limited shifting of villagers out of the combat zones should also be considered before full force is deployed to disarm/ destroy the naxals, if found necessary.
This cancerous growth has been spreading rapidly throughout the length and breath of the country and currently has acquired alarming presence in areas of Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , Bihar, West Bengal and some parts of North East Region. With Mao’s problem in the neighbouring Nepal having already assumed serious proportions, a timely major action against the naxalities is all the more necessary.
Prime Minister has rightly described Naxalism as the greatest internal threat facing the country. The overall picture in tackling the naxals in Chattisgarh, where 8 CRPF personnel were killed in mine blast on 8th May as well as in other parts of the country look most grim. Any laxity in giving a proper response on suitable scale even by involving the armed forces and air strikes when reports of vast forest areas having been ‘mined’ may prove to be costly to the nation.
ublish
The plan may amount to mainly creating a forum to be headed by a retired judge or a senior civil servant for restoring civil administration in troubled areas that may help bring about reconciliation to a much complicated problem that intricately involves crushing the cadres of an unlawful naxal organization still engaged in armed activities (or struggle) against the state, protecting the tribals and villagers deprived of their forest rights, creating development activities in the said areas so that innocent people desist from ignorantly falling prey to the games of this criminal organization.
Published 11/05/2010
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676463808.htm
But apart from tackling the said aspects of the problem ,any mid-way halting of operation Green Hunt may result in unwanted escalation of the violence related activities of the Naxals, besides giving undesirable messages about the governments intend in this regard.Naxal attacks on police personnel and police stations carry the additional aims of striking terror in the mind of the populace and plundering the arms, ammunition and weaponry of the police force that also helps them in enlarging their area of unlawful activities. How serious this problem can grow, one has only to see the situation in Nepal across our borders. Though the naxals pretend to cater to the economic and political interests of the underprivileged , their ambitions in fact centre around seizing power through armed means.
There is thus every reason to toughen the national resolve to crush this violence ruthlessly. Colonel Anil Athale who led a team to study the naxal problem in Chhattisgarh in July 2006 tells that naxalities were having an upper hand in facing the ill-equipped police forces. Thus a large number of innocent tribals joined the naxal ranks, seeing them to be on the wining side. Further the “deterrent” effect of government action against violence should not be diluted by making prior declarations about limitations on use of armed forces but government should rather make the option of deploying armed forces open, if necessary.
This may also wean away a large portion of sympathizers that may lower the morale of naxal rank and file.
A clear cut strategy to “isolate, contain and disarm/destroy” the naxal may have to be adopted. Naxalites are known to collect money through extortions and imposing illegal taxes. This may have to be tackled by tightening up the law and order management.Even limited shifting of villagers out of the combat zones should also be considered before full force is deployed to disarm/ destroy the naxals, if found necessary.
This cancerous growth has been spreading rapidly throughout the length and breath of the country and currently has acquired alarming presence in areas of Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , Bihar, West Bengal and some parts of North East Region. With Mao’s problem in the neighbouring Nepal having already assumed serious proportions, a timely major action against the naxalities is all the more necessary.
Prime Minister has rightly described Naxalism as the greatest internal threat facing the country. The overall picture in tackling the naxals in Chattisgarh, where 8 CRPF personnel were killed in mine blast on 8th May as well as in other parts of the country look most grim. Any laxity in giving a proper response on suitable scale even by involving the armed forces and air strikes when reports of vast forest areas having been ‘mined’ may prove to be costly to the nation.
ublish
Britain election:Labour party fated to exit power
The outcome of the coming 6th May Britain election remains unpredictable, while the three parties viz-left wing Labour Party headed by current Prime Minister Gordon Brown,the conservative Party (also called the Tories) headed by David Cameron and the normally distant third Party Liberal Democrat (Lib-Dem) that usually attracted the lowest 20-22% of popular votes headed by Nick Clegg aggressively vie for power mainly on economic and immigration issues that exercise the mind of the voters.
But this election may prove to be historic , as it is likely to mark the end of 13 years of labour Party rule.But more importantly it may bring about a new power sharing deal, with usually the third force Lib-Dem prominently holding the balance of power.
With a major surge in its poll ratings in the televised debate of 15th April , the party had been virtually dictating terms of its tie-up with other parties in the event of a hung parliament .It even talks of the possibility of tie up with the labour only if the latter drops Brown. At another point of time , it declared that it would tie-up only with that party which secures maximum percentage of mandate.But, with the third and the last televised show dated 29th April, the focus shifts from economics to immigration giving advantage to Cameron though the poll fortunes of the parties might further change in the last few days before lections.
Sensing a prominent position in a hung parliament, Lib Demo leader Nick Clegg laid down “electoral reform” as the key point of negotiation for a tie-up after the election.Stressing the present system of first-past-the –poll system as unfair and discriminatory against the smaller parties,he illustrates the flaw by quoting his party’s fate under this flawed system in the 2005 election.Though his party was able to capture 22% of the popular votes, it only won 9% of the seats. Thus, stressing for electoral reform,he argues that too many votes are wasted in safe seats, where either labour or conservatives have large, in built, majorities and this depresses turn out. Resultantly, results hinge on the preferences of a small number of voters in a handful of swing constituencies .This has initiated a public debate on the issue and electoral reform may take place before the next election.But it may also stir up voters consciousness even in this election.
A host of issues already weigh against the Labour party :its not so good performance in the current economic crisis compared to other developed countries,Tony Blair’s rather blind support of US war on Iraqi , a lackluster poll leadership of Gordon Brown, Lib-Demo’s condition for tie-up after poll only without Brown, Brown’s poll gaffe calling voters as ‘bigoted’ , its having lost connect with the youth and thus going out of fashion overwhelmingly mar its chances of returnings to power.Lib Dems that support cutting taxes , greater devolution of power to the local governments, moderate stance on immigration look better placed. But with conservatives prospects
On the up-swing during the last televised debate, the prospects of a conservative-Lib Dem coalition could also emerge.
Chances of a minority conservative government with support of Lib-Dem can not be ruled out .But the chances of a coalition breaking up later or the likelihood of minority government losing power subsequently may result in fresh elections that may have grave consequences for the just rising Lib-Dem party.
Published (02/05/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676463155.html
But this election may prove to be historic , as it is likely to mark the end of 13 years of labour Party rule.But more importantly it may bring about a new power sharing deal, with usually the third force Lib-Dem prominently holding the balance of power.
With a major surge in its poll ratings in the televised debate of 15th April , the party had been virtually dictating terms of its tie-up with other parties in the event of a hung parliament .It even talks of the possibility of tie up with the labour only if the latter drops Brown. At another point of time , it declared that it would tie-up only with that party which secures maximum percentage of mandate.But, with the third and the last televised show dated 29th April, the focus shifts from economics to immigration giving advantage to Cameron though the poll fortunes of the parties might further change in the last few days before lections.
Sensing a prominent position in a hung parliament, Lib Demo leader Nick Clegg laid down “electoral reform” as the key point of negotiation for a tie-up after the election.Stressing the present system of first-past-the –poll system as unfair and discriminatory against the smaller parties,he illustrates the flaw by quoting his party’s fate under this flawed system in the 2005 election.Though his party was able to capture 22% of the popular votes, it only won 9% of the seats. Thus, stressing for electoral reform,he argues that too many votes are wasted in safe seats, where either labour or conservatives have large, in built, majorities and this depresses turn out. Resultantly, results hinge on the preferences of a small number of voters in a handful of swing constituencies .This has initiated a public debate on the issue and electoral reform may take place before the next election.But it may also stir up voters consciousness even in this election.
A host of issues already weigh against the Labour party :its not so good performance in the current economic crisis compared to other developed countries,Tony Blair’s rather blind support of US war on Iraqi , a lackluster poll leadership of Gordon Brown, Lib-Demo’s condition for tie-up after poll only without Brown, Brown’s poll gaffe calling voters as ‘bigoted’ , its having lost connect with the youth and thus going out of fashion overwhelmingly mar its chances of returnings to power.Lib Dems that support cutting taxes , greater devolution of power to the local governments, moderate stance on immigration look better placed. But with conservatives prospects
On the up-swing during the last televised debate, the prospects of a conservative-Lib Dem coalition could also emerge.
Chances of a minority conservative government with support of Lib-Dem can not be ruled out .But the chances of a coalition breaking up later or the likelihood of minority government losing power subsequently may result in fresh elections that may have grave consequences for the just rising Lib-Dem party.
Published (02/05/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676463155.html
Political crisis deepens in Thailand
In the grip of a deep political crisis ,Thailand continues to be badly divided between the poor rural people represented by the red shirts and the Peoples alliance for Democracy or the yellow shirts that comprises a loose grouping of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class .
Currently leaders of the Red shirts have been demonstrating in large numbers in the capital city of Bangkok continuosly for nearly seven weeks ,aggressively demanding new elections that has put the present government of Abhishit Vejjajiva on its wits end.
Since their elected government was ousted by the judiciary paving way for the rise of Prime Minister Abhishit in the year 2008,Red Shirts see the present government as illegitimate .Now the Red Shirt protestors have tactically offered a compromise to the Thai government, this Friday ,saying they would accept dissolution of Parliament in 30 days rather than immediately. This means that they continue with their movement’s agenda for another one month.
The Red Shirts movement gained a political base during Thaksin’s nearly six-year period in power marked by pro-poor policies, though his rule was tainted with corruption. Nonetheless, he won the re-election but was subsequently deposed in September 2006 when army seized power in a bloodless coup while he was away to New York .Later in October 2008, a court sentenced Thaksin ,in absentia ,to two years in jail but he continues to stay abroad evading the sentence.
Thaksin Shinawatra , however continues to remain the inspiration, the symbol and even the leader of the red shirt movement and continued to feed the political consciousness of the country’s poor.The movement has also produced new leaders who continue rousing the crowds with their speeches and steering them with tactical decisions.
The demonstrations have been staged shrewdly, avoiding direct negotiations with the authorities. Government provocations are wisely ignored. The protestors were able to force their T.V channel back on air in a major confrontation in a three-day state of emergency. After government invoked special powers under its Internal Security Act, the protestors promptly changed their venues of protests from government quarters ,to main shopping districts ,then the election commission and then the parliament. That highlighted the effects of the demonstrations and continuously shifted focus from one to yet another spot of prominence.
The woes of this conflict ridden country get further compounded due to lack of an alternative political leadership that could help resolve the situation and work out some kind of reconciliation between the so called warring parties.The interests of the poor cannot be long ignored by the government.The matters have not been sorted out and unduly delayed year after year leading to complications.
Britain, Australia and the united States have recently warned their citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Thailand. Tourism accounts for 6% of the country’s economy .Indonesia has statedly offered its assistance for a dialogue between the conflicting parties as Thai’s troubles could have an impact in the ASEAN region. India having concluded FTA’s with these countries could also have concerns
Published ( 25/04/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676462543.html
Currently leaders of the Red shirts have been demonstrating in large numbers in the capital city of Bangkok continuosly for nearly seven weeks ,aggressively demanding new elections that has put the present government of Abhishit Vejjajiva on its wits end.
Since their elected government was ousted by the judiciary paving way for the rise of Prime Minister Abhishit in the year 2008,Red Shirts see the present government as illegitimate .Now the Red Shirt protestors have tactically offered a compromise to the Thai government, this Friday ,saying they would accept dissolution of Parliament in 30 days rather than immediately. This means that they continue with their movement’s agenda for another one month.
The Red Shirts movement gained a political base during Thaksin’s nearly six-year period in power marked by pro-poor policies, though his rule was tainted with corruption. Nonetheless, he won the re-election but was subsequently deposed in September 2006 when army seized power in a bloodless coup while he was away to New York .Later in October 2008, a court sentenced Thaksin ,in absentia ,to two years in jail but he continues to stay abroad evading the sentence.
Thaksin Shinawatra , however continues to remain the inspiration, the symbol and even the leader of the red shirt movement and continued to feed the political consciousness of the country’s poor.The movement has also produced new leaders who continue rousing the crowds with their speeches and steering them with tactical decisions.
The demonstrations have been staged shrewdly, avoiding direct negotiations with the authorities. Government provocations are wisely ignored. The protestors were able to force their T.V channel back on air in a major confrontation in a three-day state of emergency. After government invoked special powers under its Internal Security Act, the protestors promptly changed their venues of protests from government quarters ,to main shopping districts ,then the election commission and then the parliament. That highlighted the effects of the demonstrations and continuously shifted focus from one to yet another spot of prominence.
The woes of this conflict ridden country get further compounded due to lack of an alternative political leadership that could help resolve the situation and work out some kind of reconciliation between the so called warring parties.The interests of the poor cannot be long ignored by the government.The matters have not been sorted out and unduly delayed year after year leading to complications.
Britain, Australia and the united States have recently warned their citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Thailand. Tourism accounts for 6% of the country’s economy .Indonesia has statedly offered its assistance for a dialogue between the conflicting parties as Thai’s troubles could have an impact in the ASEAN region. India having concluded FTA’s with these countries could also have concerns
Published ( 25/04/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676462543.html
Kyrgyzstan –US, Russian interests clash
tulip revolutionKyrgyzstan is a country of 5.3 million Turkic speaking muslim people in the strategic Central Asian region, living in dire poverty.The country has also been at times coming under the influence of US and Russia mainly for economic reasons .
But the current unrest was compounded by autocratic and corrupt rule of ex-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who fled the capital city of Bishkek and further rumored to have left the country for some unknown place.
The interim government of the country headed by Roza Otunbayeva intends to prosecute the ex-president , there being serious charges of his having illegally transferred $200 million abroad through his close associates .With numerous agreements and conventions of legal assistance ,the authorities consider the probability of prosecuting him quite high.
Ex-president took power in the year 2005 after the Tulip Revolution that almost offered a hope of bringing democracy to the former Soviet Republic.But soon he turned an autocrat with his rule marred by corruption and human right abuses.
Recently Obama courted him to ultimately retain the rights to the military base of ‘Manas’ being used to supply US troops to Afghanistan so crucial at the present juncture. But even more recently Russia had offered Bakiyev sizable amount of aid , in an effort to persuade him to close the said ‘base’.This adds significance to this timely action to bring Kyrgyzstan back to Russian influence.
Kyrgyzstan , however, hosts both a Russian and US military airbase. US forces set up their base in this country when they overthrew the Taliban government in Afghanistan late in 2001 and later used the Manas base to support the current operations in Afghanistan.
How the US and Russia interests compete here can be reckoned from the facts the Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted in February 2009 to approve the closure of the US base after securing pledges of $ 2 billion in aid and credit from Russia. Washington later agreed to pay $180 million to Kyrgyzstan to keep the base open.
The economy of this impoverished Central Asian state sways from global as well as Russian factors. Its economic growth fell to 2.3% in 2009 from 8.4% in the earlier year hit by the global crisis. The country’s foreign currency revenues are fed mainly from Kyrgyz laborers working in Russia, but Russia’s own woes in later years left many of them unemployed or doing jobs that pay less.
Currently the country is in grip of “south-north divide” and any further turbulence in this context is considered worrisome since south lies at the heart of Central Asia’s most flammable corner where hundreds died in 1990s in ethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz .
With government treasury statedly near empty ,Russia’s Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin announced $50 million in humanitarian aid with Putin promising even larger amounts of humanitarian aid to help people weather the situation.
US Assistance Secretary of State Robert Blake is also holding talks with the interim government to normalize thesituation.
Published (20/4/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676462010.html
But the current unrest was compounded by autocratic and corrupt rule of ex-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who fled the capital city of Bishkek and further rumored to have left the country for some unknown place.
The interim government of the country headed by Roza Otunbayeva intends to prosecute the ex-president , there being serious charges of his having illegally transferred $200 million abroad through his close associates .With numerous agreements and conventions of legal assistance ,the authorities consider the probability of prosecuting him quite high.
Ex-president took power in the year 2005 after the Tulip Revolution that almost offered a hope of bringing democracy to the former Soviet Republic.But soon he turned an autocrat with his rule marred by corruption and human right abuses.
Recently Obama courted him to ultimately retain the rights to the military base of ‘Manas’ being used to supply US troops to Afghanistan so crucial at the present juncture. But even more recently Russia had offered Bakiyev sizable amount of aid , in an effort to persuade him to close the said ‘base’.This adds significance to this timely action to bring Kyrgyzstan back to Russian influence.
Kyrgyzstan , however, hosts both a Russian and US military airbase. US forces set up their base in this country when they overthrew the Taliban government in Afghanistan late in 2001 and later used the Manas base to support the current operations in Afghanistan.
How the US and Russia interests compete here can be reckoned from the facts the Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted in February 2009 to approve the closure of the US base after securing pledges of $ 2 billion in aid and credit from Russia. Washington later agreed to pay $180 million to Kyrgyzstan to keep the base open.
The economy of this impoverished Central Asian state sways from global as well as Russian factors. Its economic growth fell to 2.3% in 2009 from 8.4% in the earlier year hit by the global crisis. The country’s foreign currency revenues are fed mainly from Kyrgyz laborers working in Russia, but Russia’s own woes in later years left many of them unemployed or doing jobs that pay less.
Currently the country is in grip of “south-north divide” and any further turbulence in this context is considered worrisome since south lies at the heart of Central Asia’s most flammable corner where hundreds died in 1990s in ethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz .
With government treasury statedly near empty ,Russia’s Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin announced $50 million in humanitarian aid with Putin promising even larger amounts of humanitarian aid to help people weather the situation.
US Assistance Secretary of State Robert Blake is also holding talks with the interim government to normalize thesituation.
Published (20/4/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676462010.html
Security summit:Coping with nuclear terrorism
Twenty-first century presents a horrifying challenge of “nuclear terrorism” thanks to Al-Qaeda and other terror groups persistently trying to seize nuclear weapons and material within a weak and failing state of Pakistan.
“Preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism” was thus at the top of obama’s agenda in the recently concluded Nuclear summit held at Washington. While India’s concerns were the uppermost being victim of repeated terrorists attacks originating from the soil of Pakistan like the terrorist attack of 26/11 and prior attack at Indian parliament ,the meet was also marked by bilateral agreements between US President Barack Obama and the heads of states of Russia ,China and Brazil due to Iran’s nuclear programme, though the countries, in question, were seen mostly not favouring sanctions against the said country.
India’s Prime Minister steadfastly stuck to not reviving the composite dialogue in view of Pakistan not taking any action against the terrorists groups operating within that country, though US promised to give India access to the terrorist David Headley. How the situation was getting scarier for India from the angle of terrorism directed against it was squarely brought home to the US administration. Pakistan has been the location of activity of several Islamist terror groups against India. Added to this, the network of A Q Khan had been active in providing nuclear technology and nuclear material to various countries.
Amending international law was rather agonizingly slow and could not thus meet this menace operating briskly due to fast spreading networks of terror organizations. Further, international law could not embrace non-state actors –meaning individual terrorists. A striking example of slow pace of amending law could be seen in that “2005 amendment to the 1980 convention on the physical protection of nuclear material” has so far been ratified by just 34 countries, about one-third of the countries necessary for it to come into force as international law.
Instead acting stringently on measures already in place and solidly coordinating the work of national , regional and multilateral bodies should be given top priority even by rationalizing national laws and ensuring that various law enforcement , intelligence agencies etc implement the law stringently .Further IAEA should be designated as coordinator for various national and international bodies.
But the real task was to place an on –the –ground security against WMD terrorism. That was desired to be achieved by providing political and material incentives for countries to become active participants in the frame-work against nuclear terrorism.
As a part of this incentive US may be trying to use the Pakistan military as part of its strategy in Afghan-Pak area.But due care should be taken lest Pakistan interferes politically in the neighbouring countries.
Pakistan has often been found indulging in adventurism that even saw Bangladesh violently seceding. Likewise now Pashtun appear to have chosen the same path.
Published (17/04/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461776.html
“Preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism” was thus at the top of obama’s agenda in the recently concluded Nuclear summit held at Washington. While India’s concerns were the uppermost being victim of repeated terrorists attacks originating from the soil of Pakistan like the terrorist attack of 26/11 and prior attack at Indian parliament ,the meet was also marked by bilateral agreements between US President Barack Obama and the heads of states of Russia ,China and Brazil due to Iran’s nuclear programme, though the countries, in question, were seen mostly not favouring sanctions against the said country.
India’s Prime Minister steadfastly stuck to not reviving the composite dialogue in view of Pakistan not taking any action against the terrorists groups operating within that country, though US promised to give India access to the terrorist David Headley. How the situation was getting scarier for India from the angle of terrorism directed against it was squarely brought home to the US administration. Pakistan has been the location of activity of several Islamist terror groups against India. Added to this, the network of A Q Khan had been active in providing nuclear technology and nuclear material to various countries.
Amending international law was rather agonizingly slow and could not thus meet this menace operating briskly due to fast spreading networks of terror organizations. Further, international law could not embrace non-state actors –meaning individual terrorists. A striking example of slow pace of amending law could be seen in that “2005 amendment to the 1980 convention on the physical protection of nuclear material” has so far been ratified by just 34 countries, about one-third of the countries necessary for it to come into force as international law.
Instead acting stringently on measures already in place and solidly coordinating the work of national , regional and multilateral bodies should be given top priority even by rationalizing national laws and ensuring that various law enforcement , intelligence agencies etc implement the law stringently .Further IAEA should be designated as coordinator for various national and international bodies.
But the real task was to place an on –the –ground security against WMD terrorism. That was desired to be achieved by providing political and material incentives for countries to become active participants in the frame-work against nuclear terrorism.
As a part of this incentive US may be trying to use the Pakistan military as part of its strategy in Afghan-Pak area.But due care should be taken lest Pakistan interferes politically in the neighbouring countries.
Pakistan has often been found indulging in adventurism that even saw Bangladesh violently seceding. Likewise now Pashtun appear to have chosen the same path.
Published (17/04/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461776.html
India-US partnership to drive global economy
As India plans to achieve 9 percent economic growth during 2011-2012 and cross the double digit threshold during twelfth plan (2012-2017), with US running the global economy, an India-US economic and financial partnership was naturally very much on the cards.
Mainly anchored on massive investments in infrastructure projects, mostly roads and ports, it was but natural to take a call to develop a domestic corporate debit market to meet the long-term requirements of big infrastructure companies for finance, since banks are not designed for this purpose.Thus speaking on the platinum Jubilee celebration of the RBI Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clearly said “Massive investment in infrastructure will have to be funded through long-term debit which underscores the need of a corporate debit market”.
A beginning in evolving a private sector infrastructure bond market had indeed already been made in the current budget itself, when substantial income tax relief was provided to the Middle income group and simultaneously private sector firms were authorized to issue long-term tax free infrastructure bonds. As part of budget proposals ,individuals become entitled to tax benefits for investments upto Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds over and above the benefits that were already allowed for Rs one Lac worth of saving across other instruments. Thus the government stands committed to bring in much needed buoyancy in this market. Naturally a number of companies may even venture into global enterprises there being no dearth of business acumen in the country’s business world.
Now India eyes US investment to the tune of $600 billion over 5 years in the US-India partnership in PPP (public private partnership) mode i.e. mainly outside the banking system. This collaboration through various financial systems may see designing of innovative mechanisms by leveraging on private investment .A common approach to strengthen global financial institutions like IMF and World Bank and make them more representative could also be an outcome in the long-run. India’s success in weathering the global recession and resilience of Indian economy has been due to policies based on an inclusive and domestic demand . US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner thus rightly noted “India is not vulnerable to the ups and down of the global economic vagaries to a great extent because of its policies”.New Delhi is also hopeful of this partnership ultimately taking the model of highly successful economic dialogue platform that China has with US .The partnership envisages a fast track setting up of an Infrastructure Development Fund that will serve as a vehicle for US investment into Indian infrastructure.
The deepening of financial relations in this manner could also give impetus in bilateral trade. Likewise India’s discomfort with proposed higher taxes for US companies that outsource their business could also be sorted out.There is also a resolve to look afresh about ‘terrorism financing’ that happens to pass through various financial systems and salutary action in this regard could further cement the partnership efforts. Thus the relationship becomes even more important both “economically as well as strategically” .According to Deputy Chairman of Indian Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia “revitalization and stability of the American economy is an essential element of India’s return to 10% growth and a financial partnership with the US is an economic imperative”.
Soon there will be a significant deepening of capital markets, including more liquid debt markets and increasing the scope of infrastructure finance that will add to gains in both the countries.
Published
13/04/2010 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461358.html
Mainly anchored on massive investments in infrastructure projects, mostly roads and ports, it was but natural to take a call to develop a domestic corporate debit market to meet the long-term requirements of big infrastructure companies for finance, since banks are not designed for this purpose.Thus speaking on the platinum Jubilee celebration of the RBI Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clearly said “Massive investment in infrastructure will have to be funded through long-term debit which underscores the need of a corporate debit market”.
A beginning in evolving a private sector infrastructure bond market had indeed already been made in the current budget itself, when substantial income tax relief was provided to the Middle income group and simultaneously private sector firms were authorized to issue long-term tax free infrastructure bonds. As part of budget proposals ,individuals become entitled to tax benefits for investments upto Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds over and above the benefits that were already allowed for Rs one Lac worth of saving across other instruments. Thus the government stands committed to bring in much needed buoyancy in this market. Naturally a number of companies may even venture into global enterprises there being no dearth of business acumen in the country’s business world.
Now India eyes US investment to the tune of $600 billion over 5 years in the US-India partnership in PPP (public private partnership) mode i.e. mainly outside the banking system. This collaboration through various financial systems may see designing of innovative mechanisms by leveraging on private investment .A common approach to strengthen global financial institutions like IMF and World Bank and make them more representative could also be an outcome in the long-run. India’s success in weathering the global recession and resilience of Indian economy has been due to policies based on an inclusive and domestic demand . US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner thus rightly noted “India is not vulnerable to the ups and down of the global economic vagaries to a great extent because of its policies”.New Delhi is also hopeful of this partnership ultimately taking the model of highly successful economic dialogue platform that China has with US .The partnership envisages a fast track setting up of an Infrastructure Development Fund that will serve as a vehicle for US investment into Indian infrastructure.
The deepening of financial relations in this manner could also give impetus in bilateral trade. Likewise India’s discomfort with proposed higher taxes for US companies that outsource their business could also be sorted out.There is also a resolve to look afresh about ‘terrorism financing’ that happens to pass through various financial systems and salutary action in this regard could further cement the partnership efforts. Thus the relationship becomes even more important both “economically as well as strategically” .According to Deputy Chairman of Indian Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia “revitalization and stability of the American economy is an essential element of India’s return to 10% growth and a financial partnership with the US is an economic imperative”.
Soon there will be a significant deepening of capital markets, including more liquid debt markets and increasing the scope of infrastructure finance that will add to gains in both the countries.
Published
13/04/2010 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461358.html
Galloping inflation and food security for poor
Controlling the galloping inflation and ensuring food security for the poor has become a cause of constant worry for the UPA government .Any default on this front may soon translate into political consequences since elections in Bihar , Bengal and Tamil Nadu will be held, year after year, in the run up to the general elections.
Government is thus ready with the roll out of 'Food Security Bill' that may soon be enacted as law by Parliament.
The PDS (Public distribution System) contemplated to be implemented envisages delivery of food grains to the BPL families at Rs 3 a Kg. Government is also considering bringing urban poor within the ambit of this scheme. But such systems being always notoriously infested with frauds and scams has kept the government over-cautious over implementation of the scheme which has now decided to significantly involve the agency of Comptroller and Auditor General to transform it into effective tool for ensuring food distribution in a fair and meticulous manner.
The checks may include
1. Verification of the lists of beneficiaries
2. Control over quantity of food grains, lifted from Food Corporation of India.
3. And how much of it went to be beneficiaries
Surveys so far conducted revealed that a large percentage of beneficiaries do not receive regular supply of grains and accounts are falsified to conceal the fraud. Overcharging of rates had also been reported.
A vigilant and stern administration over the system would appear to be imperative. Any default on this front should be ruthlessly dealt with lest it should translate into big political liability.
Apart from his ,controlling inflation by ensuring supply side in the market, devising conducive monetary policies, curbing evils of hoarding and games of speculators and market manipulators should be under the constant eye of the concerned departments. Even loose hints by the politicians that may add to inflationary trends in the food markets should be scrupulously avoided.
Published at
09/04/2010 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461038.html
Government is thus ready with the roll out of 'Food Security Bill' that may soon be enacted as law by Parliament.
The PDS (Public distribution System) contemplated to be implemented envisages delivery of food grains to the BPL families at Rs 3 a Kg. Government is also considering bringing urban poor within the ambit of this scheme. But such systems being always notoriously infested with frauds and scams has kept the government over-cautious over implementation of the scheme which has now decided to significantly involve the agency of Comptroller and Auditor General to transform it into effective tool for ensuring food distribution in a fair and meticulous manner.
The checks may include
1. Verification of the lists of beneficiaries
2. Control over quantity of food grains, lifted from Food Corporation of India.
3. And how much of it went to be beneficiaries
Surveys so far conducted revealed that a large percentage of beneficiaries do not receive regular supply of grains and accounts are falsified to conceal the fraud. Overcharging of rates had also been reported.
A vigilant and stern administration over the system would appear to be imperative. Any default on this front should be ruthlessly dealt with lest it should translate into big political liability.
Apart from his ,controlling inflation by ensuring supply side in the market, devising conducive monetary policies, curbing evils of hoarding and games of speculators and market manipulators should be under the constant eye of the concerned departments. Even loose hints by the politicians that may add to inflationary trends in the food markets should be scrupulously avoided.
Published at
09/04/2010 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461038.html
Arab summit :peace talks dubbed as "total failure"
Changing stance at every turn of the "peace talks" while not implementing the two-state solution, though repeatedly swearing by the same, has proved to be hidden policy of Israel.
For about 20 years,the process has virtually served as a cover for annexation of illegally occupied land,building settlements on such land though often conceding that settlements would be dismantled and promising freeze on such settlements.
Now when Netanyahu referred to Jews building Jerusalem 3000 years ago in the context of settlements on annexed land of East Jerusalem, the history of yore was attempted to be created without regard to the holy sites of paestinians in their ownland.
The Arab Summit at the end of March 2010 naturally centered around working out a united strategy against Israel settlement policy with Saeb Erakat, Palestinian chief Negotiator saying "The Arabs offered to accept the two-state solution, have offered to have peace as a strategic option and what did the Israel governments do all the time: more settlements ,more fait accompli policies, more dictations and more facts on the ground".
Arab summit thus rightly dubbed the long dawn process a total failure threatening to pull out that may serve to give Israel a bitter taste of its own arrogance.
Published at 09/04/2010 17:00:00 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461037.html
For about 20 years,the process has virtually served as a cover for annexation of illegally occupied land,building settlements on such land though often conceding that settlements would be dismantled and promising freeze on such settlements.
Now when Netanyahu referred to Jews building Jerusalem 3000 years ago in the context of settlements on annexed land of East Jerusalem, the history of yore was attempted to be created without regard to the holy sites of paestinians in their ownland.
The Arab Summit at the end of March 2010 naturally centered around working out a united strategy against Israel settlement policy with Saeb Erakat, Palestinian chief Negotiator saying "The Arabs offered to accept the two-state solution, have offered to have peace as a strategic option and what did the Israel governments do all the time: more settlements ,more fait accompli policies, more dictations and more facts on the ground".
Arab summit thus rightly dubbed the long dawn process a total failure threatening to pull out that may serve to give Israel a bitter taste of its own arrogance.
Published at 09/04/2010 17:00:00 in
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461037.html
Apr 2, 2010
Israel virtually sabotages peace talks
Israel is at it, yet again. This time it thwarts the peace process that envisages a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine by declaring to undertake construction of settlements in east Jerusalem –area that was annexed after capturing it in 1967 Mideast war, while no other country recognizes the annexation.
Palestinians want east Jerusalem as capital of their new state. Prime Minister Netanyahu has asserted Israel’s “right to build in Jerusalem in an extremely arrogant manner , saying to a convention of the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that Jewish people were building Jerusalem 3000 years ago and the jewish people are building it today” adding “but construction in no way precludes the possibility of a two-state solution” and calling upon Palestinian leader Mehmoud Abbas to “come and negotiate peace”.
This is virtually torpedoing the peace process itself.But this time round ,the public declaration to start the construction was announced while US Vice President Joe Biden was in Israel to promote regional talks .
It all amounted to straining US-Israel relations and undermining US credibility in the peace process , as US was itself mediating between Israel and Palestine through what are known as “proximity talks “ to bring the two sides again to negotiation table for starting the direct talks that broke down during Israel’s Gaza operation where a large number of Gazans suffered fatal casualties and a case of human rights violation against Israel is pending with the UN.
But how US and Netanyahu will be able to sort out conflicting positions on new settlements in occupied east Jerusalem will have a real bearing on the peace talks.
Already hawkish Netanyahu is heading a government in alliance with right-wing parties that makes the survival of his government even more critical,should he change his stand. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has however made an equally strong statement calling upon Israel that it should make “difficult choices” for peace elucidating that US guarantee of Israel security is only in respect of its pre Mid-east war boundaries ,that took place in 1967.
Palestinians want east Jerusalem as capital of their new state. Prime Minister Netanyahu has asserted Israel’s “right to build in Jerusalem in an extremely arrogant manner , saying to a convention of the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that Jewish people were building Jerusalem 3000 years ago and the jewish people are building it today” adding “but construction in no way precludes the possibility of a two-state solution” and calling upon Palestinian leader Mehmoud Abbas to “come and negotiate peace”.
This is virtually torpedoing the peace process itself.But this time round ,the public declaration to start the construction was announced while US Vice President Joe Biden was in Israel to promote regional talks .
It all amounted to straining US-Israel relations and undermining US credibility in the peace process , as US was itself mediating between Israel and Palestine through what are known as “proximity talks “ to bring the two sides again to negotiation table for starting the direct talks that broke down during Israel’s Gaza operation where a large number of Gazans suffered fatal casualties and a case of human rights violation against Israel is pending with the UN.
But how US and Netanyahu will be able to sort out conflicting positions on new settlements in occupied east Jerusalem will have a real bearing on the peace talks.
Already hawkish Netanyahu is heading a government in alliance with right-wing parties that makes the survival of his government even more critical,should he change his stand. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has however made an equally strong statement calling upon Israel that it should make “difficult choices” for peace elucidating that US guarantee of Israel security is only in respect of its pre Mid-east war boundaries ,that took place in 1967.
Mar 28, 2010
Power to change hands in Japan elections
The coming elections in Japan scheduled on 30th August promise to change altogether the economic and political landscape of the country and yet setting it on a varied future course.Poll surveys conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun,Japan’s largest selling newspaper indicate 41 percent vote for the Democratic Party of Japan against 24 percent for the Liberal Democratic Party that has heitherto continuously governed the country since 1955 interrupted only by a spell of 10 months.
Liberal Democratic party currently led by Prime Minister Tara Aso is not viewed favourably by the voter particularly because of his long-term approaches in matters intended to allievate the plight of the people and also since during his party’s last years Japan suffered a prolonged economic stagnation running two decades followed by current recession.This has had a telling effect on the demographics and economic attitude of the Japanese population that turned thrifty and resorted to high saving attitude. Resultantly private savings soared extraordinarily while government debit to fund the spendings mounted alarmingly.As another adverse effect people started postponing marriages and restricting the size of families and now the country is beset with the problem of an ageing and shrinking population with bulk of population in the old age group of past 65 years and fewer people in the younger age group upto 15 years of age.This makes the prospect of economic recovery even more bleak .The world’s second largest economy of Japan therefore finds itself in dire straits.Japan’s utter dependence on other countries for economic performance obliges it to make huge contribution to the International Monetary Fund and dole out huge amounts in the shape of financial stimulus at International and domestic levels.
Tara Aso’s manifesto centres round proactively upholding the global financial and economic order as, according to him, Japan is heavily dependant on other countries for supply of food,resources and energy as well as for markets.He thus talks of a long-term approach “to find social security and low birth rate”after the economic situation improves.Such far off measures to be implemented in distant future do not carry conviction with the people who seem to be yearning for bold and short term innovative solutions.
Hatoyama leading the opposition party Democartic Party of Japan on the other hand pledges for lower corporate and gasoline taxes, raise child support and tuition aid as well as eliminate highway tolls. This spending may push up bond yields and the Yen.Barclays PIC and Morgan Stanley also subscribe to the concept of increased consumer spending “sustainably bolstering economic growth” that apparently inspires voters as reflected in poll surveys. The prospects of Democratic Party of Japan wining the elections have already created positive effects in the economy.
While DPJ stress on increasing welfare outlays may win over older voters who account for a fifth of population the voters are disenchanted by cabinet scandals and divisions within the Aso’s party that have already led to five straight defeats in local elections.
Updated : Thursday, 27 Aug 2009, 15:25 [IST]
Liberal Democratic party currently led by Prime Minister Tara Aso is not viewed favourably by the voter particularly because of his long-term approaches in matters intended to allievate the plight of the people and also since during his party’s last years Japan suffered a prolonged economic stagnation running two decades followed by current recession.This has had a telling effect on the demographics and economic attitude of the Japanese population that turned thrifty and resorted to high saving attitude. Resultantly private savings soared extraordinarily while government debit to fund the spendings mounted alarmingly.As another adverse effect people started postponing marriages and restricting the size of families and now the country is beset with the problem of an ageing and shrinking population with bulk of population in the old age group of past 65 years and fewer people in the younger age group upto 15 years of age.This makes the prospect of economic recovery even more bleak .The world’s second largest economy of Japan therefore finds itself in dire straits.Japan’s utter dependence on other countries for economic performance obliges it to make huge contribution to the International Monetary Fund and dole out huge amounts in the shape of financial stimulus at International and domestic levels.
Tara Aso’s manifesto centres round proactively upholding the global financial and economic order as, according to him, Japan is heavily dependant on other countries for supply of food,resources and energy as well as for markets.He thus talks of a long-term approach “to find social security and low birth rate”after the economic situation improves.Such far off measures to be implemented in distant future do not carry conviction with the people who seem to be yearning for bold and short term innovative solutions.
Hatoyama leading the opposition party Democartic Party of Japan on the other hand pledges for lower corporate and gasoline taxes, raise child support and tuition aid as well as eliminate highway tolls. This spending may push up bond yields and the Yen.Barclays PIC and Morgan Stanley also subscribe to the concept of increased consumer spending “sustainably bolstering economic growth” that apparently inspires voters as reflected in poll surveys. The prospects of Democratic Party of Japan wining the elections have already created positive effects in the economy.
While DPJ stress on increasing welfare outlays may win over older voters who account for a fifth of population the voters are disenchanted by cabinet scandals and divisions within the Aso’s party that have already led to five straight defeats in local elections.
Updated : Thursday, 27 Aug 2009, 15:25 [IST]
Afghans vote for president amid low turnout
Kabul: Afghans voted today to elect a president for only the second time in history as the government and the West acclaimed the ballot despite fears of poor turnout after a day of sporadic Taliban violence. The White House and NATO joined President Hamid Karzai -- who is bidding for another five years in office -- in saying that the war-weary Afghan people had defied threats of militant violence to exercise their democratic rights.
"The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidation and came out to vote," the Western-backed Karzai told a televised news conference as polling wound down, hailing a "day of pride and glory" for the country. Insurgents stormed the small northern town of Baghlan, sparking clashes that left up to 30 militants dead according to the governor, and officials said scattered unrest killed 26 civilians and security personnel. "Overall the security situation has been better than we feared. That is certainly the most positive aspect of these elections," the UN representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, told a news conference. "By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Officials said it would be some days before they could determine how many of the 17 million registered voters had cast their ballots, but Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said the government was "satisfied" with turnout levels. Some independent observers feared turnout was low, however, especially in the south where the Taliban insurgency is at its bloodiest despite a US and NATO campaign to pacify the lawless nation. "Turnout (in Kandahar) is definitely very, very low, significantly lower than in the north," one Western diplomat told AFP, referring to the capital of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. "I have driven around the city (Kabul) and the situation is varying from time to time, but I have seen no queues and it is definitely very quiet, much quieter than in 2004," he added.
There was a turnout of about 70 per cent in the first direct presidential election five years ago. Since then, Western allies have pumped billions more into Afghanistan and deployed thousands more troops to contain the Taliban revolt. "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan," President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Gibbs said however that the United States would withhold judgement until the release of final results, which Afghanistan's election commission says will not come before next month. Afghans were electing a president and 420 councillors in 34 provinces across the country, where grinding poverty, rudimentary infrastructure, corruption, illiteracy and daily bloodshed remain the norm. Voting at some sites was extended beyond the scheduled close of 1130 GMT to accommodate people still lining up. Voters went through security checks before having a finger stamped in indelible ink to prevent repeat voting. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen judged the elections a "success" and said early reports on turnout were "a clear demonstration that the Afghan people want democracy, they want freedom and reject terrorism."
Notable election-day clashes included the multi-pronged assault by Taliban militants in Baghlan and a two-hour shootout between insurgents and Afghan forces in Kabul that killed two militants. "I don't care about the Taliban and their threats. Who do they think they are? We have a government, police, army, the infrastructure of a functioning state. The Taliban are all talk," said 27-year-old Ramin after voting in Kabul. Karzai hopes to win an outright majority to avoid a run-off, but his nervous government ordered a blackout on reporting violence during polling day, threatening journalists with heavy penalties. An energetic campaign by ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who has a northern powerbase and draws on ethnic Tajik support, has boosted the chance of a run-off, which would take place in around six weeks' time. Abdullah's office detailed 40 complaints of electoral irregularities, most of them alleging that officials were commanding people to vote for Karzai. The election authority said it was investigating complaints from candidates, including that the indelible ink could be easily scrubbed off. Western officials played down prospects for entirely free and fair elections given reports of vote-buying and Karzai's reliance on warlords, but said an estimated quarter of a million observers would guard against the worst abuses.
Updated : Friday, 21 Aug 2009, 10:40 [IST]
"The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidation and came out to vote," the Western-backed Karzai told a televised news conference as polling wound down, hailing a "day of pride and glory" for the country. Insurgents stormed the small northern town of Baghlan, sparking clashes that left up to 30 militants dead according to the governor, and officials said scattered unrest killed 26 civilians and security personnel. "Overall the security situation has been better than we feared. That is certainly the most positive aspect of these elections," the UN representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, told a news conference. "By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Officials said it would be some days before they could determine how many of the 17 million registered voters had cast their ballots, but Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said the government was "satisfied" with turnout levels. Some independent observers feared turnout was low, however, especially in the south where the Taliban insurgency is at its bloodiest despite a US and NATO campaign to pacify the lawless nation. "Turnout (in Kandahar) is definitely very, very low, significantly lower than in the north," one Western diplomat told AFP, referring to the capital of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. "I have driven around the city (Kabul) and the situation is varying from time to time, but I have seen no queues and it is definitely very quiet, much quieter than in 2004," he added.
There was a turnout of about 70 per cent in the first direct presidential election five years ago. Since then, Western allies have pumped billions more into Afghanistan and deployed thousands more troops to contain the Taliban revolt. "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan," President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Gibbs said however that the United States would withhold judgement until the release of final results, which Afghanistan's election commission says will not come before next month. Afghans were electing a president and 420 councillors in 34 provinces across the country, where grinding poverty, rudimentary infrastructure, corruption, illiteracy and daily bloodshed remain the norm. Voting at some sites was extended beyond the scheduled close of 1130 GMT to accommodate people still lining up. Voters went through security checks before having a finger stamped in indelible ink to prevent repeat voting. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen judged the elections a "success" and said early reports on turnout were "a clear demonstration that the Afghan people want democracy, they want freedom and reject terrorism."
Notable election-day clashes included the multi-pronged assault by Taliban militants in Baghlan and a two-hour shootout between insurgents and Afghan forces in Kabul that killed two militants. "I don't care about the Taliban and their threats. Who do they think they are? We have a government, police, army, the infrastructure of a functioning state. The Taliban are all talk," said 27-year-old Ramin after voting in Kabul. Karzai hopes to win an outright majority to avoid a run-off, but his nervous government ordered a blackout on reporting violence during polling day, threatening journalists with heavy penalties. An energetic campaign by ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who has a northern powerbase and draws on ethnic Tajik support, has boosted the chance of a run-off, which would take place in around six weeks' time. Abdullah's office detailed 40 complaints of electoral irregularities, most of them alleging that officials were commanding people to vote for Karzai. The election authority said it was investigating complaints from candidates, including that the indelible ink could be easily scrubbed off. Western officials played down prospects for entirely free and fair elections given reports of vote-buying and Karzai's reliance on warlords, but said an estimated quarter of a million observers would guard against the worst abuses.
Updated : Friday, 21 Aug 2009, 10:40 [IST]
Regional impact of Afghanistan elections
US faces its severest test in the outcome of coming August 20 Presidential and Provincial councils elections in Afghanistan.The outcome of these elections will determine the success achieved by the Obama administration in giving the desired political shape to this country and whether the country will be able to surmount its internal divisive and ethnic forces and further rid itself of the menace of Taliban and al Qaeda combine that threatens major cities and economics across the world .In the process Afghanistan may avail the opportunity to establish itself as a grand old country with meaningful relevance to its neighbourhood in Central Asia, Mid-East and various countries in the SAARC region. Because only such a mandate of the Afghanis in these elections will befit its national pride and rid the country of a rather derogatory cliché of being a ‘fulcrum for power in the region’ though several powers that tried to gain power by occupying this country in recent years as well as in the nineteenth century (the British empire) failed miserably. These elections thus present the lofty prospects for Afghanistan to re-establish itself as a strong nation with meaningful relations with neighbouring countries in the Central Asian region as well as Iran, India ,Pakistan, China,Russia and the US ,enabling it land routes through Iran to the gulf region through Pakistan to the Arabian sea and through Caucasus to Eurasia and other European countries.
After assuming presidency, Obama thus seriously set out on a sustained course of all round diplomacy as well as strategic military action in the “Af-Pak” area. He offered to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran that could help stabilize this country and provide alternative land route connecting Afghanistan with the Persian gulf and the Arabian sea .Again Obama visited Moscow on July 7th engaging the Russians with major foreign policy initiatives and options and succeeded in securing a concession for American aircrafts to fly through Russian airspace for carrying troops and equipment to Afghanistan to deal with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda menace. President Obama said “America has a clear goal:to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.We seek no bases,nor do we want to control these nations.Instead,we want to work with international partners,including Russia,to help Afghans and Pakistanis advance their own security and prosperity”. The routes previously used through the lawless tribal belt of Pakistan were proving to be counterproductive due to the complicity of tribal people in Taliban phenomenon on both sides of the Durrand line. This also brought home to the Kremlin the convergence of American and Russian interests in stabilizing the region of the central Asia. Similarly in the Swat valley area and adjoining districts in Pakistan where Taliban had almost wrested the control of major Pashtun territory and enforced sharia to morphe the said area into their stronghold that could later promote their interests in spreading further and ultimately overtake the state of Pakistan and later launch a world wide jehad. Obama administration successfully pressurized Pakistan to deploy its forces to exterminate the Taliban from the newly acquired areas as well as from other areas of NWFP where they had already spread their wings.
The latest visit of Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State to India was also aimed at harmonizing and substantially improving the relations between India and Pakistan and in ensuring a joint approach to the menace that threatened to take over the state of Pakistan with the set objective of starting jehad against India.This latest visit of the Secretary of State has obviously also sent meaningful and clear messages to the people of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban cadres that the insurgency there may be on its last legs.In view of this changing scenario talks are quietly and steadily progressing between moderate leaders of the Talibans and representatives of the Afghan and US governments aimed at reconciliation where moderate elements of the Taliban would have a stake in the outcome. Simultaneously US and NATO forces have substantially stepped up military action against active Taliban cadres to bring down the morale of less committed rural folk. According to some estimates, active and hard-line Taliban insurgents roughly number only around 15000 but are supported by a large grouping of rural Talibans supporters who provide assistance to the insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan. It is this large grouping that is sought to be dissuaded after they sense the Taliban prospects to be bleak .
It may not be out of context to refer to the topography of the rugged mountains that provide scarce resources and thus drive the Pashtuns of the tribal belt to make random incursions beyond their borders whenever they sense slackness in security over there.When beaten back they retreat back into the mountains that provide shelter and defence.They owe tribal and sub tribal loyalties but equations between different tribes also change constantly.At times they emerge as huge militias in the shape of Talibans or any other form and launch major assaults .Resultantly hey possess sizable qualities of arms,ammunition and sorts of heavy armaments plundered from Soviets forces and provided by US during anti-Soviets operations as well as left behind or cornored from US and NATO forces during the current conflict started in the year 2001. Currently the Talibans harbour strong ambitions to seize and acquire nuclear assets of Pakistan in view of deteriorating conditions over there.This looks frightening. The region comprising Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan is also home to narcotic and arms smuggling and human trafficking that also created havoc in the neighbourhood. Thanks to elimination of LTTE in Sri Lanka, peace process in Nepal that ended the Maoist activity in that country, recent vigorous approach in India to the Maoists in the “Red Corridor” that runs from Orissa to Nepal, the chains of arms smugglers may vanish wiping out criminal activity in this region.
With as much as 41 candidates contesting for the top slot of Presidency, the way these elections may impact the political climate of the country is yet not clear. But the observers say that the number of contestants will definitely shrink considerably with most of them withdrawing in favour of prominent persons just before the last date of election.And the image and personality effect of the remaining candidates may also help change the political climate . Karzai is widely considered the front runner in this campaign.Dr Abdullah Abdullah has emerged as another main contender for Presidency. He enjoys the backing of the largest opposition group, the National Front representing those that have moved away from the Nation’s reliance on warlords and other Mujahadeen leaders .He also promises to build Afghan institutions so that foreign troops could go home soon and has raised issues of curbing corruption, shifting the focus on grassroot development as well as seriously engaging towards reconciliation with Talibans .However in a recent development and a major blow to the National Front supporting Abdullah Abdullah,Karzai has nominated Marshal Fahim the founder member of national Front as his Vice President in the forthcoming elections that may enable him to get a good number of Tajik and Panjsheri votes. Further Hazara leader Karim Khalili has also been nominated as a Vice-President ensuring Hazara tribe support to Karzai.Other prominent contenders include former finance minister Ahmadzai,a former Afghan Defence Minister Shah Nawaz Tanaj and Mullah Abdul Salem Rocketi. Around 17 million Afghans voters who are mostly war-weary and have suffered enormously due to prolonged instability are expected to vote prudently as they seek employment and economic recovery .This electoral process taking place in the context of rapidly changing environments brought about by Obama administration with tacit understanding from Iran and Russia and India-Pakistan engagement may yet see the transformation of Afghanistan and the SAARC countries into a better region.
Updated : Friday, 31 Jul 2009, 15:27 [IST]
After assuming presidency, Obama thus seriously set out on a sustained course of all round diplomacy as well as strategic military action in the “Af-Pak” area. He offered to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran that could help stabilize this country and provide alternative land route connecting Afghanistan with the Persian gulf and the Arabian sea .Again Obama visited Moscow on July 7th engaging the Russians with major foreign policy initiatives and options and succeeded in securing a concession for American aircrafts to fly through Russian airspace for carrying troops and equipment to Afghanistan to deal with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda menace. President Obama said “America has a clear goal:to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.We seek no bases,nor do we want to control these nations.Instead,we want to work with international partners,including Russia,to help Afghans and Pakistanis advance their own security and prosperity”. The routes previously used through the lawless tribal belt of Pakistan were proving to be counterproductive due to the complicity of tribal people in Taliban phenomenon on both sides of the Durrand line. This also brought home to the Kremlin the convergence of American and Russian interests in stabilizing the region of the central Asia. Similarly in the Swat valley area and adjoining districts in Pakistan where Taliban had almost wrested the control of major Pashtun territory and enforced sharia to morphe the said area into their stronghold that could later promote their interests in spreading further and ultimately overtake the state of Pakistan and later launch a world wide jehad. Obama administration successfully pressurized Pakistan to deploy its forces to exterminate the Taliban from the newly acquired areas as well as from other areas of NWFP where they had already spread their wings.
The latest visit of Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State to India was also aimed at harmonizing and substantially improving the relations between India and Pakistan and in ensuring a joint approach to the menace that threatened to take over the state of Pakistan with the set objective of starting jehad against India.This latest visit of the Secretary of State has obviously also sent meaningful and clear messages to the people of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban cadres that the insurgency there may be on its last legs.In view of this changing scenario talks are quietly and steadily progressing between moderate leaders of the Talibans and representatives of the Afghan and US governments aimed at reconciliation where moderate elements of the Taliban would have a stake in the outcome. Simultaneously US and NATO forces have substantially stepped up military action against active Taliban cadres to bring down the morale of less committed rural folk. According to some estimates, active and hard-line Taliban insurgents roughly number only around 15000 but are supported by a large grouping of rural Talibans supporters who provide assistance to the insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan. It is this large grouping that is sought to be dissuaded after they sense the Taliban prospects to be bleak .
It may not be out of context to refer to the topography of the rugged mountains that provide scarce resources and thus drive the Pashtuns of the tribal belt to make random incursions beyond their borders whenever they sense slackness in security over there.When beaten back they retreat back into the mountains that provide shelter and defence.They owe tribal and sub tribal loyalties but equations between different tribes also change constantly.At times they emerge as huge militias in the shape of Talibans or any other form and launch major assaults .Resultantly hey possess sizable qualities of arms,ammunition and sorts of heavy armaments plundered from Soviets forces and provided by US during anti-Soviets operations as well as left behind or cornored from US and NATO forces during the current conflict started in the year 2001. Currently the Talibans harbour strong ambitions to seize and acquire nuclear assets of Pakistan in view of deteriorating conditions over there.This looks frightening. The region comprising Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan is also home to narcotic and arms smuggling and human trafficking that also created havoc in the neighbourhood. Thanks to elimination of LTTE in Sri Lanka, peace process in Nepal that ended the Maoist activity in that country, recent vigorous approach in India to the Maoists in the “Red Corridor” that runs from Orissa to Nepal, the chains of arms smugglers may vanish wiping out criminal activity in this region.
With as much as 41 candidates contesting for the top slot of Presidency, the way these elections may impact the political climate of the country is yet not clear. But the observers say that the number of contestants will definitely shrink considerably with most of them withdrawing in favour of prominent persons just before the last date of election.And the image and personality effect of the remaining candidates may also help change the political climate . Karzai is widely considered the front runner in this campaign.Dr Abdullah Abdullah has emerged as another main contender for Presidency. He enjoys the backing of the largest opposition group, the National Front representing those that have moved away from the Nation’s reliance on warlords and other Mujahadeen leaders .He also promises to build Afghan institutions so that foreign troops could go home soon and has raised issues of curbing corruption, shifting the focus on grassroot development as well as seriously engaging towards reconciliation with Talibans .However in a recent development and a major blow to the National Front supporting Abdullah Abdullah,Karzai has nominated Marshal Fahim the founder member of national Front as his Vice President in the forthcoming elections that may enable him to get a good number of Tajik and Panjsheri votes. Further Hazara leader Karim Khalili has also been nominated as a Vice-President ensuring Hazara tribe support to Karzai.Other prominent contenders include former finance minister Ahmadzai,a former Afghan Defence Minister Shah Nawaz Tanaj and Mullah Abdul Salem Rocketi. Around 17 million Afghans voters who are mostly war-weary and have suffered enormously due to prolonged instability are expected to vote prudently as they seek employment and economic recovery .This electoral process taking place in the context of rapidly changing environments brought about by Obama administration with tacit understanding from Iran and Russia and India-Pakistan engagement may yet see the transformation of Afghanistan and the SAARC countries into a better region.
Updated : Friday, 31 Jul 2009, 15:27 [IST]
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