Rama Krishna Sangem
By now it is clear that Pakistan Field Marshal General Asim Munir is the darling of leaders of world’s two big military and economic powers – Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. By hosting an official lunch in the White House on June 18, US President Donald Trump officially recognized Munir as the de facto head of Pakistan. Not Pak Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif. This is a rare feat only Pakistan’s military leader can achieve since recently.
Munir’s visit to the White House is not just an ordinary occasion – it marked the backdrop of the US army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday. Though Trump also invited Prime Minister Modi on phone to join the lunch, the latter politely declined it, apparently miffed at the presence of Munir at White House.
We all know, Munir was not alone at the lunch, he was accompanied by ISI director general Asim Malik – whom India thinks is responsible for each and every of terror attacks in the country, for decades together. So, all the diplomatic exercises India has done since the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and all party delegations to the US and other countries, has gone in vain. But, we are not in a position to publicly express our unhappiness over the developments – Trump being pally to Munir and ISI.
We still remember how China sided with Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor and even discreetly supplied fighter jets, missiles and drones to its ally. Both the US and China condemned the Pahalgam terror attack as a matter of fact, but haven’t blamed Pakistan for it. That means, both the US and China bought the version of Pakistan – that they have nothing to do with the brutal killing of 27 innocent tourists in Kashmir. This is and embarrassing thing for India.
India doesn’t expect China to be sympathetic to us, but definitely pins hopes on the US to be against Pakistan. We estimate the US would be with us, as a counterweight against China. As China is openly backing Pakistan, we expect America to be against Pakistan. But, both of our expectations have gone wrong. Much to our surprise or even shock, President Trump is befriending with Pakistan, though the Islamic country is openly is close alliance with China and even condemned recent US attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Pakistan’s submissive diplomacy
One major reason for Munir being able to be friends with both Trump and Jinping is Pakistan’s inherent quality of moving extremely close to the countries it wishes to. Pakistan can go to any extent to please the leadership of a country – in this case the US and China. Unlike India, Pakistan is least bothered to maintain any sense of independence or neutrality. Take the case of Trump, Munir and Pakistan’s political leadership went out of their way and embraced the cryptocurrency bitcoin, promoted by Trump’s family.
Before that Pakistan rolled out a red carpet to China for its economic corridor, under the One Belt, One Road initiative of Jinping. Munir buys arms from both the US and China. He tells both the two major powers of the world that army alone is best suited for Pakistan, otherwise, it will be gobbled up by India. Munir tells that Kashmir, a Muslim majority state, is an issue of genuine aspirations of its people. Moreover, Pakistan urges for international mediation or intervention for solving Kashmir issue.
Why Indian diplomacy lagging?
We can’t say, Indian diplomacy is failed, but we are somewhat lagging behind Pakistan in securing the support of the US and China, against Pakistan.Our hallowed claims of India being the natural and strategic ally of the US will not work with a temperamental leader like Donald Trump. Trump needs immediate and unconditional submission. We are unable to resolve border issue with China. Our diplomacy with China needs some realistic touch – not abstract calculations of counting on the support of the US.
Meanwhile, Munir and his ISI enjoy the backing and patronage of both Trump and Jinping!
