The Indo-US Entente

Abstract

In the east is Pakistan’s traditional adversary India, an aspiring Asian power of the 21st century. Across the Karakurams is an ancient practitioner of balance of power politics. To the west is occupied Afghanistan. From the south via Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, oil and maritime world trade proceed, closely watched by American Navy. Indian blue water navy is a challenge. Further, deep south is US naval battle group at Diego Garcia. The locale echoes with major worldviews. Economies of national security are at play. Each has been involved in a power struggle. Asia is up for grab. Pakistan is stuck amidst the global and aspiring Asian powers. In this age and time, restraint is critical and an understanding of the passage of time is key. Time is however on the Indian side. The success lies in operating in continuum. Strictly speaking, in the context of nation-state system, nuclear weapon capability is Pakistan’s threshold of tolerance. On an altitude of consciousness, all the governments since the last three decades fell prey to opposite threshold while guarding and developing Pakistan’s nuclear weapon capability and delivery systems. Beyond doubt, it was played out in different ways.