According to news reports, New Delhi has called off a
meeting between the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers on the sidelines of
the United Nations General Assembly, just a day after confirmation.
The reason for cancellation of meeting was stated by Indian External
Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, "unclean intentions" on
Pakistan's side. He said, "It is obvious that behind Pakistan's proposal
for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed
and the true face of the new Prime Minister Imran Khan has been revealed to the
world in his first few months in office," he said. "Any conversation
with Pakistan in such an environment would be meaningless."
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the
development "unfortunate", saying, "We had already told India
that if they take one step towards us, we will take two. However, it seems that
they faltered after taking just one step."
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman sent a Twitter condemning the
move, saying, "Shame that on International Peace Day, India has refused to
talk peace with Pakistan in even a routine manner at the UN on the sidelines of
the General Assembly." "Running from talks won’t change the fact that
this time Indian repression in Kashmir has been noticed in a UN report ",
she added.
The Indian arrogance can be attributed to a recently signed
agreement between the US and India that would pave the way for New Delhi to buy
advanced American weaponry and to share sensitive military technology,
strengthening their military partnership as both powers warily eyes the rise of
China. The countries also promised to hold joint land, sea and air military
exercises in India next year.
On the day Jim Mattis, the US Defense Secretary had said, “Today’s
fruitful discussion illustrated the value of continued cooperation between the
world’s two largest democracies. We will work together for a free and
prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
If I refer back to the visit of Jim Mattis, Defense Secretary
and Mike Pompeo, State Secretary, despite the friendly handshakes and
flattering remarks exchanged as the two met with their counterparts, their
counties remain deeply skeptical of each other.
The US is worried about how willing India will be to openly
counter China as the Chinese expand their influence in the waters between the
Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is also unhappy about India’s reluctance to cut
trade relations with Iran.
India views the Trump administration as erratic, and it is
troubled by the United States’ recent barriers to trade, which threaten to
impose tariffs on Indian goods and force New Delhi to import more American
products.
I would also attribute Indian attitude as assign of
frustration, because the US has failed in convincing Pakistan to allow Indian
goods to pass through for Afghanistan and Iran. It is irony of fate that the US
remains dependent on Pakistan for the passing of NATO supplies. The US has not forgotten
the adversities faced after Pakistan put a temporary embargo on the movement of
NATO supplies.
