US Double Standard of Arms Supply in South Asia by Sajjad Shaukat

Posted by admin in OPINION LEADER, Sajjad Shaukat, Sajjad Shaukat 's Column on February 26th, 2016

US Double Standard of Arms Supply in South Asia

By Sajjad Shaukat

International community is so focused on the double standard of the United States in Syria that it

has ignored America’s similar policy in South Asia, which also needs appropriate attention.

In this regard, the US expressed concern on February 12, this year over the security of Pakistan’s

tactical nuclear weapons. The statement followed the US announcement about its intention to sell

eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. At a State Department news briefing, Deputy Spokesman

Mark Toner said, “Tensions between India and Pakistan is equally worrying…we’re concerned

both about the security of those nuclear weapons, and that’s been a common refrain in our

discussions with Pakistan.”

Tone elaborated, “We believe it’s in our vital national security interests to support Pakistan in

carrying out its efforts to destroy these terrorist networks, and we believe it’s an important

partner in the region in achieving a stable and secure Afghanistan.”

Next day, India summoned the US envoy in New Delhi, Richard Verma and recorded protest

over the US announcement to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

On February 17, 2016, rejecting Indian reaction to the F-16 deal with Pakistan, the Pentagon

Press Secretary Petro Cook stated, “We don’t think this deal should concern India in any way.

Pakistan is combating terrorism and its defence capability needs to be enhanced accordingly.”

In this context, during his briefing to the National Assembly, on January 19, last year, while

confirming anti-Pakistan lobbies in the US, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja

Asif had revealed, “Pakistan is trying to acquire eight F-16 fighter jets from the US on lease, but

Husain Haqqani, the former ambassador to the US is campaigning along with India to malign

Pakistan and to block delivery of F-16 fighter jets.”

On February 11, 2016, in a testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, US Defence

Intelligence Agency Director, Lt-Gen. Vincent Stewart (R) termed Pakistan’s counter-

insurgency operations along Pakistan’s western border [Across Pak-Afghan border] and

military operation Zarb-e-Azb and Karachi operation as successful in reducing violence in

Lt-Gen. Stewart explained, “Pakistan is fast improving its nuclear security and is aware of the

threats posed by extremists to its nuclear arsenal.” But at the same time, he remarked about the

increasing risks of an incident associated with the growing nuclear stockpile.

However, Lt. Lt-Gen. Vincent Stewart’s contradictory statement is part of US double standard

and ambivalent policy in South Asia. Overtly and covertly, US-led India, Israel and some

western countries keep on conducting propaganda against Pakistan, because it is the lonely

nuclear country in the Islamic World.

When terrorists had attacked on Pakistan’s Naval Airbase in Karachi on May 23, 2011, US-led

some western countries, including India and Israel exploited the situation through disinformation

about the security of Pak nukes. And another terrorists’ assault on Kamra Base was successfully

foiled by the personnel of Pakistan Air Force, but, a baseless report, published in the New York

Times had indicated that suspected militants attacked a major Pakistani Air Force base where

some of the country’s nuclear weapons were considered to be stored in the early hours of the

militants’ attack. The ex-US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had also stated, “There is a danger

of nuclear weapons of Pakistan, falling into hands of terrorists.”

Particularly, in 2009 when the heavily-armed Taliban entered Swat, Dir and Buner, US high

officials and their media had exaggerated the ‘Talibinisation’ of the whole Pakistan, while

showing concerns about Pakistan’s atomic arms. In that regard, the then US Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton had warned that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of

terrorists. But, when Pakistan’s armed forces ejected the Taliban insurgents out of these areas by

breaking their backbone, she started appreciating the capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s nuclear assets are in safe hands—well-protected and are under tight

security arrangements, having the best command and control system. This fact has also been

recognized by some top officials of the US and some western countries.

It is notable that Indian past record proves various kinds of unprotected incidents, security lapses

in relation to various nuclear plants and the related-sensitive materials including events of

nuclear theft and smuggling.

In this respect, in the end of November, 2009, more than 90 Indian workers suffered radiation

due to contamination of drinking water at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station in Karnataka. On July

27, 1991, a similar event took place at the heavy water plant run by the Department of Atomic

Energy at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan. Nuclear radiation had affected and injured many labourers

In July 1998, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation seized eight kg. of nuclear material from

Arun, an engineer in Chennai, including two other engineers. It was reported that the uranium

was stolen from an atomic research center. On November 7, 2000, the International Atomic

Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated that Indian police had seized 57 pounds of uranium and

arrested two men for illicit trafficking of radioactive material. IAEA said that Indian civil nuclear

facilities were vulnerable to thefts. On January 26, 2003, CNN disclosed that Indian company,

NEC Engineers Private Ltd. shipped 10 consignments to Iraq, containing highly sensitive

equipment including titanium vessels and centrifugal pumps. Indian investigators acknowledged

that the company falsified customs documents to get its shipments out of India.

On June 12, 2004, Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation, an American company was fined US $

300,000 for exporting a nuclear component to the Bhaba Atomic Research Center in India. In

December 2005, United States imposed sanctions on two Indian firms for selling missile goods

and chemical arms material to a Muslim country in violation of India’s commitment to prevent

proliferation. In the same year, Indian scientists, Dr. Surendar and Y. S. R. Prasad had been

blacklisted by the US due to their involvement in nuclear theft. In December, 2006, a container

packed with radioactive material had been stolen from an Indian fortified research atomic facility

Nevertheless, an alarming increase has been witnessed in the acquisition of arms and

ammunition on the part of India; and it is likely to spend around $250 bn. on acquisition of

weapons in next few years. The appetite is regional-specific with Pakistan being the prime target

including China. India has also developed considerable nuclear weaponry and delivery systems.

It is mentionable that in its report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

had disclosed on February 22, 2015 that India is the world’s largest recipient of arms—“India (14

percent of global arms imports), China (4.7 per cent), Australia (3.6 per cent) and Pakistan (3.3

New Delhi’s military is acquiring a slew of new equipments from combat aircraft to submarines

and artillery. It is currently finalising a deal with France’s Dassault Aviation to buy 126 Rafale

fighter jets in a contract worth an estimated $12 billion.

Although peace and brinksmanship cannot co-exist in the modern era, yet India seeks to

destabilize Asia through its aggressive designs.

While, as part of the double standard, America brushed aside the Indian poor record regarding

the safety of nuclear weapons and materials. And despite, Indian violations of various

international agreements and its refusal to sign Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive

Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Additional Protocol with the IAEA, Washington signed a pact of

nuclear civil technology with New Delhi in 2008. During American President Barack Obama’s

visit to India, on January 25, 2016, the US and India announced a breakthrough on the pact

which would allow American companies to supply New Delhi with civilian nuclear technology.

On November 2, 2010, US agreed to sell India the most expensive—the new F-35 fighter jets

including US F-16 and F-18 fighters, C-17 and C-130 aircraft, radar systems, Harpoon weapons

etc. Besides acquisition of arms and weapons from other western countries—especially Israel,

America is a potential military supplier to India. US also pressurized IAEA and the Nuclear

Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale.

As a matter of fact, US wants New Delhi to assume anti-China role. Beijing is apprehensive

about the emerging threat, as the intent of President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra

Modi was quite clear, while mentioning about free sea lanes and air passages in the South China

In this connection, tension arose between India and China when Indian army erected a military

camp in Chumar Sector of Ladakh at the Line of Actual Control (LAC)-disputed border, situated

between the two countries. Similarly, Indian soldiers crossed over the Line of Control (LoC) in

Kashmir on January 6, 2012 and attacked a Pakistani check post, killing one Pakistani soldier.

Afterwards, Indian troops shot dead more Pakistani soldiers on the LoC.

It is noteworthy that under the Pak-China pretext, Indian ex-Army Chief, General Deepak

Kapoor disclosed on December 29, 2010 that the Indian army “is now revising its five-year old

doctrine” and is preparing for a “possible two-front war with China and Pakistan.”

It is worth-mentioning that that after 9/11, both India and Israel which had openly jumped on

Bush’s anti-terrorism enterprise are acting upon a secret diplomacy, targeting Pakistan China and

Iran. It could be assessed from the interview of Israel’s ambassador to India, Mark Sofer,

published in the Indian weekly Outlook on February 18, 2008. Regarding India’s defense

arrangements with Tel Aviv, Sofer had surprisingly revealed, “We do have a defense relationship

with India, and “with all due respect, the secret part will remain a secret.” In fact, with the

support of Israel, New Delhi has been acquiring an element of strategic depth by setting up

logistical bases in the Indian Ocean for its navy.

Particularly, fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic relationship

with the Third World, and especially Pakistan—after signing of agreement, “China-Pakistan

Economic Corridor” which is, though for the benefit of South Asia, but, has irked the eyes of

Americans and Indians. Owing to jealousy, America desires to make India a major power to

counterbalance China in Asia—while, New Delhi has continued violations at the LoC and cross-

border terrorism in Pakistan.

For the purpose, by availing the phenomenon of lawlessness in Afghanistan, secret agencies like

American CIA, Israeli Mossad and Indian RAW have well-established their covert network in

that country, and as part of the double game, they are using the terrorists of the Islamic State

group (ISIS) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for conducting various terror attacks in

Pakistan. These secret agencies are also making efforts to weaken Tibetan regions of China,

Pakistan’s province of Balochistan and Sistan-Balochistan of Iran by promoting acrimonious

sense of dissent and political volatility.

Notably, on July 20, 2011, while hinting towards Pak-China ties, the then US Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton urged India to be more assertive in Asia, saying that as American ally, the

country should play more of a leadership role. She explained, “India has the potential to

positively shape the future of the Asia-Pacific.”

It is owing to the US dual policy that New Delhi openly follows threatening diplomacy in South

Asia. In this context, in May 1998 when India detonated five nuclear tests, it also compelled

Pakistan to follow the suit. The then Defense Minister George Fernandes had also declared

publicly that “China is India’s potential threat No. 1.” New Delhi which successfully tested

missile, Agni-111in May 2007, has extended its range to target all Chinese cities. Now, by

setting aside peace-offers of Beijing and Islamabad, New Delhi has entangled the latter in a

While, international community has been making strenuous efforts for world peace in wake of

global financial crisis and war against terrorism, but India has particularly initiated deadly

nuclear arms race in South Asia where people are already facing multiple problems of grave

nature. Majority of South Asian people are living below the poverty level, lacking basic facilities

like fresh food and clean water. Yielding to acute poverty, every day, some persons commit

Even, Indian civil society organizations, while complaining of excessive defense spending,

recently, pointed out that the government spends very little amount for the betterment of

people. Indian defense analyst Ravinder Pal Singh, while indicating New Delhi’s unending

defense expenditures at the cost of poverty-alleviation, calls it guns-versus-butter question.

Nonetheless, by ignoring regional problems and especially resolution of Indo-Pak issues,

particularly the Kashmir dispute which remains a nuclear flashpoint, Indian rulers state that they

do not have any belligerent policy. But, it becomes a big joke of the 21st century, reminding a

maxim, “armed to the teeth, but no enemy”, if we take cognizance of India’s increasing defense

purchases in wake of her aggressive designs. In fact, it is the fault of the US which openly

displays double standard of arms supply in South Asia

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,

Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: [email protected]

Courtesy Veterans Today

US Diplomatic Duplicity, US Double Standards

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Indian Diplomat’s Arrest Exposed US Double Game

Posted by admin in Pakistan-A Nation of Hope on January 5th, 2014

During his visit to India in 2010, US President Barrack Obama signed multiple agreements with New Delhi in various fields such as $10 billion in trade deals and creation of more than 50,000 US jobs besides the measures, America would take regarding removal of Indian space and defence companies from a restricted “entities list”, and supported Indian demand for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council including membership of four key global nuclear non-proliferation regimes. Owing to these agreements, India has also been purchasing C-17 and F35 aircrafts along with latest defence-related arms and equipments from Washington. In February, 2011, America had pressurised the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) to sign an accord of specific safeguards with India. It permits New Delhi a broad atomic cooperation, while superseding the IAEA regarding transfer of nuclear equipments and technologies. These arrangements also entail enrichment and reprocessing items under the so-called cover of IAEA. In this regard, Washington also contacted the Nuclear Suppliers Group in order to grant a waiver to India for starting civil nuclear trade on larger scale. Setting aside the Indian irresponsible record of non-proliferation, defence agreement signed between the US and India on July 20, 2011 as part of the deal about civil nuclear technology, agreed upon by the two countries in 2008 has raised new alarms on global and regional level. But, in that respect, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India to be more assertive in Asia, saying that as American ally, the country should play more of a leadership role. On the other hand, while showing US paradoxical approach towards Pakistan, Ms. Hillary remarked, “New Delhi could also help promote trade links in violence-wracked South Asia, which would bring prosperity and peace to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan…Pakistan must do more to tackle terror groups operating from its territory being used for attacks that destabilise Afghanistan or India.”

The United States seems determined to keep around 10,000 troops and some military bases in Afghanistan permanently after the withdrawal of NATOforces in 2014. Besides, US has also planned to maintain Indian role in Afghanistan to complete its hidden agenda. In this connection, the former US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta said on October 26, 2012 that India has vital role to play in Afghanistan and it will be helpful for peace and stability in the region, adding, “Our new defence policy hinges upon this strategy.” In fact, by concealing its double game with India, under the pretext of strategic partnership— by boasting Indian defence and its role in Afghanistan, America wants to fulfill multiple designs so as to counterbalance China, control the energy resources of Central Asia, and to weaken Pakistan, Beijing, Iran and Russia. But, US double game with India exposed on December 12, 2013 when Indian diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, the Indian Deputy Consul General in New York was arrested on charges of visa fraud and lying to US authorities on a visa application about how much she paid to her housekeeper (an Indian national). She was arrested right in front of her daughter’s Manhattan School, handcuffed and driven to Police Search Station for completion of investigation process. Page 1Indian government, media and general public felt the pain of collective shame and sense of culpability as their female diplomat was subjected to harsh search, generally meant for dangerous criminals and people of shady character. Her shrieking screams and strident assertions about ‘diplomatic immunity’ fell on deaf ears and she was made to bear the vulgar blow of humiliation, while undergoing awful process of cavity search. Indian media disclosed, “She was subjected to a humiliating strip search and kept in a cell with drug addicts.” She was released on $ 250,000/-bail, as she pleaded not guilty on all charges levelled against her—surrendering her passport and avowing to report to Police Station in New York on weekly basis. One simply feels sad with a sense of remorse and emotional empathy on her ordained disgrace on US soil where her diplomatic immunity has been rudely dilapidated. India has quickly reacted against such a treatment of their diplomat demanding an unconditional US apology. They have also asked the US to withdraw all cases against the diplomat, while undertaking retaliatory steps to withdraw concessions from US diplomats in India. As a protest in relation to the ill- treatment of the lady diplomat, Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde called her treatment unacceptable. He cancelled his meeting with the senior US Congressional delegation. Other parliamentarians including the governing Congress party Vice-President, Rahul Gandhi and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi also refused to meet the delegation. While, Indian media projected ugly scenes of removing security barriers placed before US embassy in India, while Indian public, intellectuals, analysts and high officials expressed their anger and emotional outbursts towards US for maltreating their diplomat. However, diplomacy and maintenance of international relations suggest that civilized norms and refined customs be observed to maintain dignity and decorum entitled to other states and their diplomats. Unfortunately, the US, overwhelmed by power motives, have developed callous and cold-hearted attitude towards sensitivities of the Third World countries.

Body search and cavity search of an Indian female diplomat by US authorities reflects its high-handedness. Indian bold assertions and emotional reaction appears to be justified, while the entire episode suggests to US to reexamine its deteriorating trends in diplomacy. US media and certain officials have branded Indian reaction as a revengeful tactics, without realizing that Indians are justified in their reaction to denounce violation of diplomatic immunity by US officials. Their demands for unconditional apology and withdrawal of case against their female diplomat are also legal and politically accurate. US should show greater sense of magnanimity and compassion by extending a word of apology to India and by withdrawing the case against Devyani Khobragade. This will help US improve its image and prestige. Meanwhile, her hastily-transfer to India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has widely been reported as a bid to ensure her full immunity. Particularly, South Asian media should project that Washington must be aware of cultural esteem, attached to female honour in South Asia including India. Ms. Devyani Khobragade represents Indian educated middle class and her body or cavity search, handcuffing and investigation badly ripped off her personal dignity which certainly needs to be restored at all costs. Indian determination as expressed by Indian prime minister and foreign minister to get her back and restore her decorum seem praiseworthy. How far will the Indians go to restore the modesty of their female diplomat, get an unconditional apology from US and convince the latter Page 2to withdraw the case against Devyani, will also prove the audacity of Indian leadership. Regional media should also emphasize that diplomats posted abroad must respect the local laws and avoid indulging in any activity which may cause them embarrassment, shame and guilt. It appears as if Ms. Devyani Khobragade was not prudent enough to respect US laws which led to such a messy row between India and America. She was entrapped in a messy tangle which caused her trouble. But one feels pity on poor female diplomat. Surely, national interests will finally prevail to settle such an irritant between New Delhi and Washington. Notably, Indians are basically intriguing in nature and do not believe in forgiving or forgetting, especially when openly humiliated and publically disgraced. They keep the vendetta alive even after the resolution of any dispute, political row and diplomatic irritants. Their subjective grooming enables them to maintain calm while remembering the pain of the past ill- treatment. As Indian security removed barricades from the US embassy, the role of Indians seemed personified carrying emotional frenzy and belligerence to impress upon US to return their woman free of any case and also extend an apology in this respect. Nonetheless, after the maltreatment of its lady diplomat, the right hour has come that Ne Delhi must know that America which is playing double game with India, watches its own strategic interests, and is not going to prove a trustworthy friend on permanent basis. History proves that the US has always betrayed Pakistan and so it will do with the Indians. In this context, after using Islamabad in its previous Afghan war against the former Russia, Washington left Islamabad to face the fallout of that war. In the near future, along with Pakistan, Indians will face the fallout of the ongoing war in Afghanistan. So, instead of increasing its defence budget at the cost of poverty-stricken people, and pursuing war-like diplomacy against Pakistan by fulfilling American covert aims against China and Iran, India must better develop peaceful relations with these countries by resolving all disputes including Kashmir issue, which are essential for regional stability.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.

Destabilization of Pakistan, Pro-India US Foreign Policy, US Diplomatic Duplicity

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