Many in India are rejoicing on signing the strategic partnership agreement, the first ever of its kind in the region. The message conveyed to Pakistan indicates of the Indian mindset and the games which it is playing as part of the collaborators. The Indo-Afghan strategic pact is being viewed as a double-pronged military alliance drawing similar with Allies-Russo nexus, painting scenarios of Normandy-landing.
Such fantasies and wishful thinking cannot be controlled, but when it comes to playing diplomatic and psychological games, the result is evident through this strategic pact. India is projecting the move as a great event and presenting itself as a country that is solely responsible and capable of controlling the region. India has its own designs for propagating such themes.
The crucial questions are: are we prepared to face such propaganda onslaught and counter it: If yes then how and why no measures have been taken as yet; And if no then are we going to do something in present situation and future; Are we providing more propaganda material against due to the confusion between the political and military institutions e.g. by not attending the briefing at GHQ; by decision to grant MFN status to India; by relaxing the visa regime between the two countries?
What would be our strategy if the United States is using all efforts to change Pakistan’s India-centric security paradigm? And going through the pact, India has declared an economic and developmental role in Afghanistan. If it has other intentions, then what are they?
It means the present situation needs to be carefully monitored and the scathing propaganda be carefully and strongly responded before it is too late. As a first step we need to strengthen our institutions working for the defence of the country rather than falling prey to the propaganda undermining its capabilities. Secondly, an effective public awareness campaign needs to be launched, taking all media houses in confidence because the major part of war has to be fought on media front.
India needs to be told that there is difference between being regional and extra-regional player; Afghanistan is different place to live in. What has Russia done, what has the US achieved, and if it hands over the job to India, what would be its fate in the coming years?
The people of the AfPak region have been dealing with the US presence with the mixed feeling of friend and foe. But for Indians it would be impossible to maintain ‘friendly’ presence in Afghanistan.
Considering Kabul and Northern Alliance that too in the leadership of Karzai as its stronghold is a dream that may turn into a nightmare, as the 50% Pashtun population has yet to show its muscles. India must be aware of playing the hireling role of a US mercenary; already its consulates along the Afghan border have experienced the taste. It is easy to enter Afghanistan, but impossible to get out of it. It is a graveyard.
ESCHMALL SARDAR
Peshawar