The US-India Joint Statement, issued on 25 January 2015 on the occasion of President Barack Obama’s India visit, inter alia, says: “The President and the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of the economic and transport connectivity between Central and South Asia and the need to promote a secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan as part of a secure, stable, and prosperous region. Reaffirming the importance of their strategic partnerships with Afghanistan, the Leaders asserted the importance of a sustainable, inclusive, sovereign, and democratic political order in Afghanistan and they agreed to convene further high-level consultations on Afghanistan in the near future.” Since India occupies central position in South Asia, the U.S. - India Statement signifies that India should be provided “economic and transport connectivity” with Central Asian Republics. Obviously the idea is to provide this connectivity through Pakistani territory. Simultaneously, the US-India Statement speaks about the two countries’ ‘strategic partnership’ with Afghanistan which implies that India is to have a permanent role in Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of most of the ISAF and NATO forces.
Ignoring Pakistan’s concern with the threat posed by the Tehrik-i -Taliban Pakistan, in which reportedly pro-Indian elements have made ingress, and India’s apparent role in fomenting trouble in Balochistan, the US has joined with India in reaffirming “ the need for joint and concerted efforts to disrupt entities such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, D Company and the Haqqani Network . . .” and reiterating “call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.” The whole idea seems to be to pressurize Pakistan into submitting to Indian regional hegemony and play a second fiddle in the U.S. – India strategic vision for the region. Although Pakistan is in position to serve as economic corridor for Central Asian Republics via Afghanistan, any status even remotely subservient to India can never be accepted. Giving access to India to Afghanistan and beyond through Pakistani territory has serious implications for Pakistan’s security under present circumstances.
Pakistan cannot overlook Indian activities in Afghanistan and its reported nexus with the TTP and Baloch insurgents. It is time Pakistan conveyed its concerns to the US and focused more on China, a country that has vital interest in the region and has invested heavily in Gwadar Port. Pakistan should concentrate on speeding up progress on mega projects and development of infrastructure in Balochistan in which China has stakes. Pakistan’s aim should be to serve as economic corridor not only to Central Asia but China’s western region, independent of India’s involvement. Pakistan is a member of ECO and enjoys observer’s status in SCO, the two multilateral platforms with Central Asian Republics as members and with tremendous potential to promote economic development. In the meantime, Pakistan should remain prepared to resume composite dialogue with India without compromising on principles.