Foreign Policy and Relations

This morning we heard from two Ambassadors. Firstly we have the US ambassador who generally talked about the regional security from US perspective and US/Pak relationship. The introducer, a Navy Commander, did very well in giving an overall scenario on the topic and also in introducing the speaker. In my mind, he some what threw the ambassador off balance (...talk about the strategy of preemption!!!). I managed to ask a question with regards to what I perceived the need for the US to play a more positive role in Indo/Pak relation, specifically on the Kashmir issue. He said that the answers to the dispute lies with the two countries and the people of Kashmir. The US has got minimal role, as often said by Secretary Rice.

The second talk was by the India High Commissioner who spoke eloquently on the topic of Indian Foreign Policy and Indo/Pak relations. He started off on the right note by appraising the audience on the Indian foreign policy formulation. He stressed that in the case of India, it was a good thing that any policy will be discussed and debated with the opposition and other interest group before it is formalized. In my mind that is why in India's case, they always has consensus in every issues. The Q&A was very interesting indeed. The audience had a field day posing very provocative and hard questions, but the High Commissioner was up to the mark, answering every questions with poise and confidence. He was indeed a season diplomat. The more questions were asked (almost all on the state of Indo/Pak relations) the more confident he got and at times I thought he is beginning to enjoy the session. The faculty cut short the session by half an hour for what I thought was a good move.

Off for my afternoon jog!!...chao

My Thoughts - For Pakistanis, the window of opportunity is now, for three reasons. Firstly, due to more pragmatic approaches shown by the present two governments, the relation is at its highest level. Secondly, the recent earthquake disaster experienced by Pakistan has brought the world to share the sorrows with Pakistan and the sufferings of the Kashmiris. There is probably a shift towards the Pakistan's cause. Thirdly, and most importantly, India is currently a regional economic power and given the stable economic growth of 6%, will be a world power soon. By then, if Pakistan's economy remains at the current status, the disparity will be too large and will not become a factor any more. The only way to get out of this poverty, illiteracy and backwardness quagmire is to have a everlasting peace with the eastern neighbor. Your neighbor will not put a brake to its quest for economic supremacy. It is to your interest to act now. Insyallah, Pakistan will have a better future. Pakistan need to move beyond Pakistan Zindabar.