Alice Wells’ visit to Pakistan — a nod for multi alignment with US? : OP ED, The News

[jaibi]

With acute tension between Iran and the US abating, and India increasingly seen isolated as “intolerant state”, the United States’ Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells is expected to ramp up support for Delhi and seek Pakistan’s multilevel cooperation on Middle East and Afghanistan during her visit to the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui confirmed that Ms Wells will be arriving in Islamabad on January 19 and is expected for talks on all issues including Afghanistan and the Middle East tension, and other bilateral issues.

Besides, Pakistan, Ms Wells is also visiting India and Sri Lanka in the wake of certain developments. Before Islamabad, she is scheduled to stop over in Delhi to assure US support and assuage Indian anxieties heightened after the increasing rivalry between the US and Iran and the growing commonality of interests between the US and Pakistan.

Recently, Delhi has been rattled: the first shock for India—a ‘Major Defence Partner’ of the US and which has strategic relations with Iran and ambitions to operate Tehran’s Chabahar Port—came in when Washington handed over a slap in the face by not informing about its decision of General Suleimani’s impending assassination.

Then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to call Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff General Bajwa within hours of the strike only served to rub salt in the Indian wound, followed by a chat of the US Defence Secretary Patrick Michael Shanahan with the Army Chief. Perturbed over some protesters in India who chanted anti-American and pro-Iran slogans subsequent to the killing of Iranian General, Delhi found isolated in the impending Middle Eastern crisis.

Interestingly, President Donald Trump, who always boasts of PM Modi’s closed friendship did not bother to call the Indian prime minister. Last but not the least, the State Department’s announcement resuming military training for Pakistan’s armed forces was the last thing policy makers in Delhi wanted to hear.

Ms Wells visit carries huge importance given the emerging geo-political scenario: Pakistan is keen to help de-escalate the tension in the Middle East particularly calm things between Washington and Tehran, on the one hand, and also use its leverage with GCC countries, on the other, to preempt further inflaming the region as a result of the US-Iran tension and Iran-GCC rivalry.

Islamabad has sought to engage Tehran, Washington and Riyadh directly and also use its leverage with China and to a degree with Russia to reduce prospect of full fledged hostilities in the region.

Also clouded by Iran-US tension, Afghanistan theatre is a significant geo-political challenge for both Pakistan and the US: Islamabad and Washington has jointly made efforts to reach out to the Taliban and agree on some convergence both between the US and the Taliban and also ultimately between the Taliban and other Afghan stakeholders in order for the US troops to draw down and resolve the conflict through political dialogue.

“Whereas, the Taliban are poised to announce at least some reduction in violence so the US can announce inking a deal with the Taliban”, revealed Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during his visit to the US. The second phase of “Lahore Dialogue” involving many Afghan politicians just concluded, as Track 2 interaction. Ms Wells will also likely be interested to know the latest appraisal of Pakistan on the possible contours of intra-Afghan dialogue. The Afghan talks have been relegated in the background after the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani. Now Washington and Islamabad already have removed friction on Afghanistan.

Since Pakistan is a stakeholder in the stability of Gulf, West and South Asia, it would also be sharing its concerns with the US Interlocutor for the region—Alice Wells. Pakistan’s strategic position was made clear by ISPR and subsequent interaction between the US Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence and Pakistani Army Chief Gen Bajwa. The buzz word Pakistani policy makers are using is of “neutrality”—not taking sides between Iran and the US and staying away in case of any potential escalation into major conflict.

She also recently expressed her deep concern about the situation in IOK which Pakistani side will be discussing with her.

Overall an upward trajectory of positive shift in the US policy towards Pakistan has been discerned. Last week, she announced the resumption of a training programme for Pakistan’s military officials — a step which will definitely strengthen military to military cooperation on shared priorities & advance US national security goals. Ms Wells also announced that 15 high-level business delegations will be visiting Pakistan during 2020, and are expected to invest generously. Islamabad has welcomed these announcements.

But there are divergences between the US and Pakistan which (i.e, Pakistan) may flag during Ms Wells visit: Islamabad is closely looking at India-US strategic partnership and also may take exception to proposed visit of President Trump to India in February while not making a trip to Islamabad. Also Pakistan will be underscoring its anxiety over any potential harm to its interests coming from increased defence ties between the US and Delhi and between Delhi and Israel.

Islamabad will have no issue as long as these relations do not negatively affect its security and standing in the region. The US’ criticism on Human Rights violations in India, illegal occupation of Kashmir and the introduction of discriminatory citizenship law is still meek. Indian involvement in international terrorism particularly using Afghan soil to destabilise Balochistan is also ignored by Washington. For Islamabad, any undue support might damage the US image, besides, further isolating Delhi in this part of the world.

Ms Wells has a busy itinerary in Islamabad as she is scheduled to visit foreign office, meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and also a call on with the Army Chief Gen Bajwa. The US Embassy is also trying to arrange some exclusive interactions with thinking and talking heads in Islamabad.

The writer is a geopolitical analyst, a politician from Balochistan, and ex-adviser to the Balochistan government on media and strategic communication. He remained associated with BBC World Service. He is also Chairman of Centre for Geo-Politics & Balochistan - Jan Achakzai

Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/60...to-pakistan-a-nod-for-multi-alignment-with-us

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Welcome to the foreign minister hope we discuss trade and support on FATF and not war in our region or backyard

USA need to play their role on acknowledging the crisis in Kashmir and now the crisis has expanded into India

In such time starting a brand new crisis with Iran is not ideal in the region

Prime Minister Imran Khan , openly raised the danger in Kashmir and Indian intolerance and fall in hand of extremism but the speech was not given full consideration

The historic speech in UN , was an early warning to World Community on danger brewing in India

• Today Kashmir is in lockdown for 160+ days
• Indian Muslims 200 million people are on Strike in India for protection of their rights
• Europe won't be happy with 100 million Indian Muslim migrants knocking on your doors

Only Sanctions on India can control their behavior
I am afraid without economic sanction on India , that country will self implode


Supply of Advance weapons reaching India indirectly thru Israel is certainly a concern as well from Pakistan's standpoint

For the majority of Pakistani

• Our CSF is stuck
• Our F16 are not delivered parked in some boneyard
• Our Helicopters are not delivered

Meanwhile , India who has broken every imaginable international rule, humanitarian rule , and the civilian rule is openly breaking all rules from the United Nation is getting weapons


Due to these pending issues , we need to talk

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

Cowardice makes you neutral---otherwise no man is born neutral---including women---.

Pakistan showed extreme cowardice staying neutral in the last 5 + years starting with the Yemen crisis---.

And now pakistan does not have a foothold to stand on---. It is literally begging around looking for help to save its economy and is finding out that there are no takers.

Iran---shooting down the aircraft have shot themselves in the foot and any aggression and posturing on their part has fizzled out---.

Even though a lots of TALKERS on this forum and in pakistan claimed big talk about what Iran would do---but those two SA missiles just completely shut down Iran.

Pakistan was somewhat counting on that.

And Imran Khan was somewhat NAIVE to tell the americans in the US to be wary pf Iran because the iranians are tougher than the afghans---.

That statement showed that Imran Khan had no clue how powerful a nation the US is militarily and how its military responds proportionately against the enemy's threats and assets---meaning not all all enemies be retaliated with a similar kind of force and weapons---.

If today---pakistan had 150000 troops stationed in different blocks of GCC---this crisis would not have come up at all---.

150 K troops would have brought in at least 250000 to 400000 extra civilian jobs in the GCC---well paying jobs---.

So---with close to 500000 new jobs would have resulted in a house building boom in pakistan---. Let us say 250000 new houses---.

The govt report says that for every new house build---it creates 40 new jobs---that is in just one area---.

The US agenda for pakistan is only known to the US---right now it is build up on SHIFTING SANDS and there is a total lack of stability in it---and it is reflective of the internal and external policies of the US---.

The america of today has become extremely unpredictable---hot one minute---cold the other---.

It is about time that pakistan change its policy of neutrality---. It is high time to move away from our neighbor Iran and associate ourselves openly with the GCC---.

Iran is at its weakest today with a massive internal turmoil due to its own doings---any support of staying neutral means that pakistan would be supporting Iran's Agenda.

Pakistan needs to move out of this " CURSED " situation---make a choice---think of pakistan first and ally with benefactors who have supported Pakistan throughout its existence with all the moral and financial help possible---.

Alice Wells has an agenda---she had clearly spoken her mind about pakistan awhile ago and it was not very pleasant---. That is her real stand---. Now if the US needs pakistan---she will make a temporary adjustment in that position---but that stance would stay temporary till she may want to change it for the next crisis---which who knows is headed to what direction---.

@jaibi ---sir if that is not your article---please post a link to that article---. The disclaimer in the bottom is not enough---.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Mastan

• Our national policy is no war in our backyard
• Many European Nations maintained a no-war policy in world war
• We have supported dialog between Qatar - Saudia
• We have supported dialog between Iran - Saudia
• We have supported peace in Afghanistan
• We have given discounts in transit trade to Afghanistan

Pakistan has a universal peace policy with our neighbors (Iran - Afghanistan-China- Khalistan)

We have a great relationships with GCC nations goes back 70 years

Pakistan has no beef with USA

What has occurred between USA - Iran it is their own matter which they will resolve thru dialog in future governments, we really had no real advance knowledge of any event so we can't comment on the current status of USA-iRAN dynamic

Pakistan - US ties are 50 years old , and generally are focused on people to people contact and trade and Education


Pakistan Army is busy at our own borders so we really can't be sending Troops unless it was for the security of the Holy Mosques, as far as I know most GCC countries have their own military

There was a massive difference in how Prime Minister Imran Khan was received in USA
Maybe this signaled a normalizing of ties

After all recently we have seen a Deal Breakthru between China and USA as well
on trade issues which were once considered impossible to resolve

Hi,

Cowardice makes you neutral---otherwise no man is born neutral---including women---.

Pakistan showed extreme cowardice staying neutral in the last 5 + years starting with the Yemen crisis---.

And now pakistan does not have a foothold to stand on---. It is literally begging around looking for help to save its economy and is finding out that there are no takers.

Iran---shooting down the aircraft have shot themselves in the foot and any aggression and posturing on their part has fizzled out---.

Even though a lots of TALKERS on this forum and in pakistan claimed big talk about what Iran would do---but those two SA missiles just completely shut down Iran.

Pakistan was somewhat counting on that.

And Imran Khan was somewhat NAIVE to tell the americans in the US to be wary pf Iran because the iranians are tougher than the afghans---.

That statement showed that Imran Khan had no clue how powerful a nation the US is militarily and how its military responds proportionately against the enemy's threats and assets---meaning not all all enemies be retaliated with a similar kind of force and weapons---.

If today---pakistan had 150000 troops stationed in different blocks of GCC---this crisis would not have come up at all---.

150 K troops would have brought in at least 250000 to 400000 extra civilian jobs in the GCC---well paying jobs---.

So---with close to 500000 new jobs would have resulted in a house building boom in pakistan---. Let us say 250000 new houses---.

The govt report says that for every new house build---it creates 40 new jobs---that is in just one area---.

The US agenda for pakistan is only known to the US---right now it is build up on SHIFTING SANDS and there is a total lack of stability in it---and it is reflective of the internal and external policies of the US---.

The america of today has become extremely unpredictable---hot one minute---cold the other---.

It is about time that pakistan change its policy of neutrality---. It is high time to move away from our neighbor Iran and associate ourselves openly with the GCC---.

Iran is at its weakest today with a massive internal turmoil due to its own doings---any support of staying neutral means that pakistan would be supporting Iran's Agenda.

Pakistan needs to move out of this " CURSED " situation---make a choice---think of pakistan first and ally with benefactors who have supported Pakistan throughout its existence with all the moral and financial help possible---.

Alice Wells has an agenda---she had clearly spoken her mind about pakistan awhile ago and it was not very pleasant---. That is her real stand---. Now if the US needs pakistan---she will make a temporary adjustment in that position---but that stance would stay temporary till she may want to change it for the next crisis---which who knows is headed to what direction---.

@jaibi ---sir if that is not your article---please post a link to that article---. The disclaimer in the bottom is not enough---.

 

[Flight of falcon]

This sums up the situation in India very well:


Recently, Delhi has been rattled: the first shock for India—a ‘Major Defence Partner’ of the US and which has strategic relations with Iran and ambitions to operate Tehran’s Chabahar Port—came in when Washington handed over a slap in the face by not informing about its decision of General Suleimani’s impending assassination.

Then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to call Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff General Bajwa within hours of the strike only served to rub salt in the Indian wound, followed by a chat of the US Defence Secretary Patrick Michael Shanahan with the Army Chief. Perturbed over some protesters in India who chanted anti-American and pro-Iran slogans subsequent to the killing of Iranian General, Delhi found isolated in the impending Middle Eastern crisis.

Interestingly, President Donald Trump, who always boasts of PM Modi’s closed friendship did not bother to call the Indian prime minister. Last but not the least, the State Department’s announcement resuming military training for Pakistan’s armed forces was the last thing policy makers in Delhi wanted to hear.

 

[MastanKhan]

Mastan

• Our national policy is no war in our backyard
• Many European Nations maintained a no-war policy in world war
• We have supported dialog between Qatar - Saudia
• We have supported dialog between Iran - Saudia
• We have supported peace in Afghanistan
• We have given discounts in transit trade to Afghanistan

Pakistan has a universal peace policy with our neighbors (Iran - Afghanistan-China- Khalistan)

We have a great relationships with GCC nations goes back 70 years

Pakistan has no beef with USA

What has occurred between USA - Iran it is their own matter which they will resolve thru dialog in future governments, we really had no real advance knowledge of any event so we can't comment on the current status of USA-iRAN dynamic

Pakistan - US ties are 50 years old , and generally are focused on people to people contact and trade and Education


Pakistan Army is busy at our own borders so we really can't be sending Troops unless it was for the security of the Holy Mosques, as far as I know most GCC countries have their own military

There was massive difference in how Prime Minister Imran Khan was received in USA
May be this signaled a normalizing of ties , after all USA-China have recently ironed out their trade deals and all is well between China and USA

Hi,

Please name three european nations who maintained a 'no war policy '.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

World War I Andorra, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (with Liechtenstein), and Vatican (the Holy city)

World War II: Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City, and Monaco

You see it is possible to stay neutral

"A bail mujhe mar , ka chakar nahi "​

If countries can remain neutral in world war surely we can stay out of small disagreements
I believe United Nations is a platform to look in to issues

Today may be Iran - USA have bad ties but may be 4-5 years later they will have better ties so we can't take any sides in this case as Iran is our neighbor and we generally have no problem with USA as well

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

So, while Pakistan does all the leg work on US-Taliban negotiations, US-Iran de-escalation and Saudi-Iran mediation, Pakistan is rewarded by a visit by some Deputy Assistant Secretary. India, on the other hand is to get a visit by the President of the United States.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

For time being

• Release of our CSF fund
• Super cobras and F16 would be a good start
  
• Support on FATF Clearance
  
• Trade boost

And sanctions on India would be great start (cough cough)

 

[KAL-EL]

Would it upset India if the US provided Pakistan with a squadron of F35’s?

 

[Microsoft]

Would it upset India if the US provided Pakistan with a squadron of F35’s?

Best to find out by doing it I say.

 

[MastanKhan]

World War I Andorra, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (with Liechtenstein), and Vatican (the Holy city)

World War II: Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City, and Monaco

You see it is possible to stay neutral


"A bail mujhe mar , ka chakar nahi "

If countries can remain neutral in world war surely we can stay out of small disagreements

Hi,

Thank you for putting those names up---.

The countries are EARTHWORM countries---have no impact on military standings---.

Turkey declared war on Germany in 1945 february---. They were hurt bad in the first world war.


If Turkey had the power that pakistan has---it would be a different nation.

I have stated many a times---pakistanis see themselves as innocent children---" don't bother us---we don't bother anyone "---and these children have no clue what powers they yield---.

Pakistan has close to two hundred nuc weapons---it is military super power of the region---. It is the 7th or 8th most militarily powerful nation of the world---and yet its citizens act like WEAKLINGS---.

For that very reason---I am a firm believer that most of the WARRIOR MUSLIM CLANS OF THE SUB CONTINENT were decimated by the british east india company after they took control of the sub continent some 200 years + ago---.

And many of the remaining were killed during the 1947 partition---. Some warrior clans who escaped from the british hid in the jungles of punjab---many were sold out to the british by the current Multani Landlords---.

The lower caste converted muslims took the names of the warring caste and acted like them---but the genetic make up was not the same---and every time---a military crisis looms on the country---they become active against the welfare of Pakistan.

You should be ashamed and embarrassed to give the examples of the weakest countries staying out of war and then PRANCING and STRUTTING over your examples.

Israel---a weakling nation in 1967---its very existence depended on victories in war---.

Britain a financially broke nation after the Napoleone war---declared wars thru its proxy in a different world---africa---sub continent and other parts of asia---.

And those countries you mentioned---the reason they did not go to war was to make money from war---thru refugees who rushed to these countries and transferred their wealth to those countries.

Again---I am concerned at the mind set of the pakistanis---to claim themselves to be equal in strength with the weakest nations of europe rather than those making decisions of power positioning and getting the rewards---.

What a defeatist mindset and thought---.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Pakistan - USA ties are on path to Improved ties
Expectation is that the stuck resources would be released so that the path to healing continues

General expectation is a building of positive vibe since Last visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan to USA

Modern Pakistan has a more neutral view of the world we want to expand business with all countries of world


Major issue is

• The Crisis in Kashmir (illegally Occupied, region)
  
• 200 Million People crisis in India demanding their rights

I am expecting a positive move to release our pending assets and clearance in FATF
and certainly the issue of Crisis in India brewing and Kashmir issue would be top agenda

 

[Microsoft]

Hi,

Thank you for putting those names up---.

The countries are EARTHWORM countries---have no impact on military standings---.

Turkey declared war on Germany in 1945 february---. They were hurt bad in the first world war.


If Turkey had the power that pakistan has---it would be a different nation.

I have stated many a times---pakistanis see themselves as innocent children---" don't bother us---we don't bother anyone "---and these children have no clue what powers they yield---.

Pakistan has close to two hundred nuc weapons---it is military super power of the region---. It is the 7th or 8th most militarily powerful nation of the world---and yet its citizens act like WEAKLINGS---.

For that very reason---I am a firm believer that most of the WARRIOR MUSLIM CLANS OF THE SUB CONTINENT were decimated by the british east india company after they took control of the sub continent some 200 years + ago---.

And many of the remaining were killed during the 1947 partition---. Some warrior clans who escaped from the british hid in the jungles of punjab---many were sold out to the british by the current Multani Landlords---.

The lower caste converted muslims took the names of the warring caste and acted like them---but the genetic make up was not the same---and every time---a military crisis looms on the country---they become active against the welfare of Pakistan.

You should be ashamed and embarrassed to give the examples of the weakest countries staying out of war and then PRANCING and STRUTTING over your examples.

Israel---a weakling nation in 1967---its very existence depended on victories in war---.

Britain a financially broke nation after the Napoleone war---declared wars thru its proxy in a different world---africa---sub continent and other parts of asia---.

And those countries you mentioned---the reason they did not go to war was to make money from war---thru refugees who rushed to these countries and transferred their wealth to those countries.

Again---I am concerned at the mind set of the pakistanis---to claim themselves to be equal in strength with the weakest nations of europe rather than those making decisions of power positioning and getting the rewards---.

What a defeatist mindset and thought---.

I think the saying 'Be decisive. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision.' goes along with what you are saying. Pakistan and Pakistanis should make a decision on which way it/they wants to go.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

That is why People elected Government of Pakistan , lead by Prime Minister Imran Khan , so that an Educated class can discuss important regional matters with a proper Foreign Policy
as oppose to knee jerk reaction