There is no way around it
There being no free lunches in the US, President Obama would give more provided Pakistan does more. Obama has appreciated Pakistan’s role in fighting terrorism. He has simultaneously indicated areas where Pakistan is still required to deliver. The US has also hailed Pakistan’s role in bringing the Taliban to the discussion table. Obama, however, wants it to ensure that the Haqqani network does not use Pakistan’s soil for terrorist activities. Again, Pakistan is required to take ‘effective’ action against United Nations-designated terrorist individuals and entities. Don’t these include JuD and its chief? The US has the formidable lever of military and civilian aid to pressurise Pakistan to comply with the demand.
There are also a number of embarrassments for India in the joint statement. Obama expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts to secure funding for the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams. He has thus set aside Indian opposition to projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. The joint statement also indicates that the US is prepared to let Pakistan host the talks between Afghan government and Taliban again. For over a decade, the US has stayed away from openly pushing India towards talks with Pakistan. This time it has not.
Irrespective of whatever Nawaz Sharif might desire, the US is not willing to intervene in Pak-India disputes. These have to be resolved by the two through bilateral talks. The only favour Obama has extended is to recognise that Kashmir too is one of the issues. India plays too crucial a role in Washington’s regional strategy and therefore Obama would not go beyond a certain limit.
It should come as no surprise that within days of the Obama-Nawaz talks another exchange of cross-border fire has caused injuries to a number of people from both sides. The incident took place the day Shahbaz Sharif had told a national daily that people would soon witness the positive impact of the talks on regional peace and security. Any positive development requires initiation of talks without preconditions.
