veteranstoday--2020-07-19--Pakistan: Regional realignments in the offing

India reluctantly accepted the Partition plan as a stopgap arrangement under the fond hope that it will not survive beyond six months .
To make it happen , Bengal and Punjab were bifurcated , Pakistan ’ s share of finances and other assets withheld , nine million destitute refugees forced to migrate from East Punjab and Central India .
Soon after the creation of Pakistan in August 1947 , while Pakistan ’ s leaders grappled with umpteen problems to build Pakistan from a scratch , India forcibly annexed Jammu & Kashmir ( J & K ) , which resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India stopped water in the rivers flowing into Pakistan from Kashmir .
In 1950 and 1951 , India mobilized its forces and deployed them along its border with Pakistan and next enforced trade war with Pakistan .
India launched the 1965 war with the intention to decimate Pak armed forces .
East Pakistan , located 1000 miles away from West Pakistan without any land access was marked as the first target by Nehru in 1948 for subversion and detachment from Pakistan to disprove two-nation theory .
With this motive in mind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community in East Bengal was asked to stay on and play its role in subverting the youth .
In a matter of 23 years , the Hindu teachers , lecturers and professors brainwashed the students so thoroughly that they viewed West Pakistanis as their enemies and India as their friends .
Amputation of eastern limb and thereafter After amputating eastern limb of Pakistan in 1971 with the help of its chief patron USSR , India shifted its focus on Sindh to fuel Jeeay Sindh movement and Baloch insurgency in Baluchistan in 1973 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ subversion in the selected regions .
KGB and KHAD were fully involved in Baloch insurgency in the 1970s ; Pakhtunistan movement was also backed .
Moscow had reasons to settle scores with Pakistan since the latter was instrumental in bringing a thaw in China-USA relationship in 1971 .
Pakistan took its sweet revenge by playing a key role in the Afghan Jihad which culminated in defeat of Soviet forces , fall of Berlin wall and eventual disintegration of Soviet Empire .
When the time ripened to remove the blot of 1971 tragedy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to liberate Kashmir and also assist the Khalsas in establishing Khalistan , died in a mysterious air crash .
After his departure , the Pakistan economy fell behind Indian economy , and Pakistan adopted defensive and apologetic foreign policy .
India on the other hand became assertive and aggressive under the patronage of its new paramour USA , particularly when BJP took over power and carried out nuclear tests in 1998 .
Advani threatened to annex Azad Kashmir ( AJK ) .
After 9/11 , India in collusion with its strategic partners USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched the biggest ever covert war from Afghan soil to denuclearize and fragment Pakistan into four parts .
For this purpose , India relentlessly expanded and modernized its armed forces and nuclear/missile/cyber power with a view to undertake a military offensive under the Cold Start Doctrine at an opportune time .
The grand strategy included destabilization , strategic encirclement , defamation and isolation of Pakistan .
For this purpose , Indian military presence in Siachin Glacier and occupied Kashmir was beefed up , water terrorism was employed as a coercive tool , influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic agreements with Iran were signed , Arab Gulf States were won over , FATF used as a weapon to blacklist Pakistan and hybrid war unleashed to tarnish the image of Pakistan .
FATA/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( KP ) and Baluchistan were made restive by triggering Pashtun/Baloch separatist movements .
Balwaristan movement was fueled in Gilgit-Baltistan ( GB ) .
Pakistan ’ s economic hub-centre Karachi was made lawless with the help of MQM .
PPP added fuel to urban terrorism in the port city .
Apart from the nationalist parties that had played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kalabagh Dam , PPP and PML-N were also cultivated by India to keep the Kashmir cause on backburner and to disrepute Pak Army .
Some TV channels and English newspapers were heavily funded by foreign agencies for selling tutored themes , building perceptions , stimulating liberalism , undermining Islam , discrediting state institutions and fomenting divisions in society .
India used its diplomatic clout and military power to keep SAARC under shadows .
It tried hard to change this forum into South Asian Economic Union dominated by Delhi .
Bangladesh , Nepal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Indian satellites .
Hasina Wajid was forced to pursue anti-Pakistan policies .
In order to spoil Pakistan ’ s relations with Afghanistan and Iran , and to keep Iran away from BRI , India signed strategic partnership agreement with both , built a highway from Zaranj to Delaram in Afghanistan to connect it with Chahbahar Port , invested money for upgradation of Chahbahar Port , started building North-South Transport Corridor ( NSTC ) connecting Mumbai Port with Bandar Abbas Port in cooperation with Russia .
India also undertook 628 km long railway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally to Zaranj .
These projects were undertaken with the sole objective of creating an alternative trade route to Afghanistan-Central Asia , reduce Kabul ’ s dependence on Islamabad , and undermine upcoming Gwadar Port as well as China ’ s BRI initiative .
While Russia has been tacitly supporting NSTC , the USA has been implicitly favoring upgradation of Chahbahar with Indian effort to undercut Gwadar .
Chahbahar-Gwadar rivalry suits both US and India .
While using terrorism as a stick to lambast and browbeat Pakistan , India built a false narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victim of terrorism .
The world accepted the fake narrative since it was backed by USA and the West .
Pakistan made no effort to build a counter narrative to put the record straight since successive regimes followed policy of appeasement of USA and India .
Consequently India managed to hide its massive crimes against Kashmiris and Indian minorities .
BJP regime under extremist Modi , a product of RSS , broke all records of state terrorism and human rights violations during its six-year inglorious rule and has maintained a highly aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Indian leaders , Pakistan can exist if it accepts Indian hegemony and agree to become a compliant state .
Inclusion of India into Asia-Pacific quad to contain China and naming India as the bulwark against China , and policeman of Indo-Pacific region made Modi and his Hindutva loving team of fascists ecstatic and they began to imagine India a super power of South Asia .
Accordingly they carved out a muscular policy .
The happy tidings for intolerant Modi regime soured in the aftermath of its false flag operation enacted at Pulwama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was aimed at preparing grounds for conducting a surgical air strike against Pakistan so as to boost its Hindu vote bank for elections in May that year , and next to abrogate the special status of J & K followed by limited attacks in GB-Azad Kashmir ( AJK ) .
All the offensive acts of India backfired and it has suffered one humiliation after another .
The setbacks and the fallout effects suffered by India , together with some connected regional developments are tabulated hereunder : • Abortive airstrike in Balakot on February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by PAF .
• Pakistan ’ s counteraction on the night of February 26 , followed by an air duel on February 27th in which two Indian jets were downed and two pilots ( Indian and Israeli ) captured .
One Indian helicopter was shot down in panic by own troops .
• India snatched the special status of disputed J & K on August 5 which created an uproar in the international arena and once again brought the oldest unresolved dispute of Kashmir in limelight .
• Lockdown of 8 million Kashmiris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , torture and rapes exposed the ugly face of fascist India , evoking strong censure from the world .
India ’ s grave violations of human rights are widely censured by international media and notables in Europe and USA .
• Imposition of anti-Muslim discriminatory citizenship amendment act in India in December 2019 , sparked nationwide protests of all the minorities , and led to bloodshed of Muslims in Delhi in February 2020 by Hindu fanatics duly protected by the police .
It resulted in 53 deaths , injuries to over 200 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslims were blamed for the carnage .
• Promulgation of new domicile act in J & K to change the Muslim majority into minority .
It has given added fillip to the resolve of Kashmiri freedom fighters to resist the occupying forces .
• Among the dozens of insurgencies and separatist movements raging in India , Khalistan movement is assuming dangerous proportions and preparations for a referendum in coming December are being made enthusiastically .
• Historic peace agreement signed between USA and Taliban on February 29 , 2020 consternated India and Ghani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purposes , Afghanistan has slipped out of the hands of India and USA , but spoilers are trying their best to derail peace process .
• Delay in the prisoners swap is the major hindrance in the start of intra-Afghan dialogue .
• Taliban are keeping up the momentum of attacks and exit of bulk of US troops this year is a foregone conclusion .
• India is averse to the Taliban and so are the Taliban to Indian presence in their country .
Conversely , China , Pakistan have a happy understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the exit of US troops , Indian political , economic and intelligence influence would drop to lowest ebb thereby enabling China to take Afghanistan in the loop of BRI .
• In reaction to Indian military provocations and fast track construction of Chushal-Darbuk-DBO/Siachin supply route , China lost its traditional cool .
The intruding Indian soldiers in Galwan River Valley were brutally thrashed by PLA soldiers with batons , sticks and fists .
0ver 25 Indian soldiers including a Col were mauled to death , dozens badly injured and over 50 captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The feat which deflated the heat of Indian jingoism and chastened BJP leaders was achieved without firing a bullet .
• The whole Galwan Valley is now under the control of PLA and LAC redrawn .
It has forestalled India ’ s intentions to establish Indo-US-Israel military bases in Ladakh , make Ladakh a permanent military station , threaten Aksai Chin , scuttle CPEC , destroy Bhasha dam , and annex GB .
• China-Pakistan are now in a sound position to undertake joint military operation in Ladakh whenever the need arose .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so is the Siliguri chicken neck .
• Ladakh ’ s neutralization has rendered Indian 3 Corps presence at Leh and Siachin untenable .
• It will also have a domino effect on Indian 9 lacs forces in J & K which are finding themselves cornered by China , Pakistan and Kashmiris .
• Pakistan , India and the Kashmiris are the three stake holders in Kashmir dispute , but now China has become the 4th stake holder .
This equation has loaded the dice against India .
• Indo-US-Israel nexus which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China as iron brothers .
Both can count upon each other whenever security interests of any country are threatened .
• India ’ s power projection was based on fanciful imaginations , daydreaming and dramatized by Indian media and Bollywood .
• Remaining out of combat zone after 1971 , Indian armed forces have become soft and languid .
Indian soldiers quench their macho thirst by killing hapless unarmed civilians in India , in occupied Kashmir and along the LoC .
Sikhs are their best fighters but of late many have put up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Indians are getting restless over muteness and inaction of Modi regime which had won elections in 2014 and 2019 on account of Modi roaring like a lion and making them rapturous .
They are thumbing their noses at Indian media which at the slightest provocation go berserk and create war hysteria .
Indians are also questioning their military leadership as to what happened to their tall claims that they can conveniently take on both China and Pakistan .
• Next six months are crucial for India and in case corona virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further , domestic situation in India would get highly explosive .
USA which mothers India and Israel and uses the duo to serve its ends in South Asia , Afghanistan and Middle East is caught up in a logjam of its own making .
Its whole-hearted support to the anti-peace regimes and going an extra mile to cover-up their crimes against humanity has lowered its prestige in the world .
It is badly stuck up in Afghanistan , in Persian Gulf , in Syria , in Yemen and in Ukraine .
Its economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19-year war on terror and support to proxies , has been further depleted by trade war with China , tussle with Russia , and the corona pandemic which has severely impacted the global economy .
Trump himself is too deeply engrossed in battling internal and external challenges .
His major focus is on November elections and has no time to get involved in China-India tiff in the Himalayas .
Trump ’ s policy of intimidation through sanctions , embargo and isolation of Iran has backfired and has impelled Iran to veer towards China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further deepened US-China rivalry .
Whosoever wins the next presidential race , ( Trump or Joe Biden ) , will have to take-up emerging China-Iran equation on priority .
• Iran had resisted the offer of $ 400 billion made by President Xi Jinping in 2016 as part of his BRI project and preferred to remain within the loop of Russia , India and Afghanistan .
It remained more involved in expanding its Shia arc in the Middle East .
• Iran changed its heart when India stopped buying oil from Iran last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change was discernible when Iran supported the cause of Kashmiris , and didn ’ t utter a word over Indo-China skirmish in favor of India .
• Other reasons for the change are that India has become the most allied ally of US , while both Iran and China are hostile to USA .
Iran was uncomfortable with ever growing India ’ s partnership with its arch rivals USA and Israel , and with Saudi Arabia , UAE .
• Cancelation of railway line project given to India by Iran to connect Chahbahar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion agreement in July 2020 by virtue of which China will invest $ 250 for energy projects , and $ 150 for infrastructure in Iran , in return for China buying oil from Iran on 20 % discount spread over 25 years in yuan are clear-cut indications that over a period of time Iran will rely more on emerging super power than on India .
• While Iran would either complete the Chahbahar-Zahedan-Zaranj railway project by March 2022 at its own , or with China ’ s assistance , possibility of Iran handing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be ruled out .
• Iran is under duress due to US , UN , EU sanctions and Covid-19 pandemic .
$ 400 billion deal will go a long way in easing its economic woes and diplomatic isolation .
Trade in yuan will give impetus to de-dollarization .
• Iran doesn ’ t gain anything by pitching Chahbahar against Gwadar , and gains a lot through collaboration .
Lessening of the Indian influence will impel Iran to gravitate towards China and it might decide to join CPEC to draw much-needed economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of constructing a new port at Jask-e-Bandar , east of strategic Suez Canal will have adverse implications for the imperialist agenda of Indo-US-Israel nexus in the Middle East wanting to control all the seven key choke points and sea lanes .
China ’ s naval presence at Gwadar , Djibouti and in future in Jask , would cause a setback to Indo-US plans to completely dominate Indian Ocean .
• Moscow has now reconciled with Pakistan owing to changed geopolitical realities .
China-USA are now rivals , while China-Russia are strategic partners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is eager to befriend Pakistan because of China-Pakistan closeness , and its age-old quest for warm waters which can be fulfilled by CPEC in the form of RPEC .
However , Putin is so far a bit reluctant due to Pakistan ’ s continued dependence upon USA .
• These fast moving developments have made NSTC project redundant and seem to have died in the crib .
• CPEC being the flagship project of BRI , acts as a magnet and will surely attract Russia , Afghanistan ( CAPEC ) and landlocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regionally , China has befriended all the regional countries including GCC States and Israel and has promoted the concept of peace , friendship and economic returns through equitable partnership .
China is the only country whose economy is growing since the onset of coronavirus .
Its export size is 75 % of world trade and bulk of it would be passing through CPEC , which will greatly benefit Pakistan .
• India is the lone war monger harboring grandeur ambitions and is in conflict with all seven South Asian States and China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun to flex their muscles for the first time .
Surprisingly , Bangladesh has expressed desire to normalize relations with Pakistan .
• Sino-Iran strategic agreement when seen in context with US-China trade/pandemic war , US-Iran stand-off in Persian Gulf , Indo-China face-off in Himalayas , India ’ s dangerous designs against Pakistan will have far reaching ramifications for the overall geo-strategic environment that are presently in a flux , and might lead to new alignments in Asia .
• The fast evolving global and regional scenario has almost unhinged India ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encircled and isolated .
• Modi is upset that so far USA has not come to his rescue and Russia has decided to watch the conflict from a distance .
Whatever additional weaponry he may acquire , wouldn ’ t match China ’ s military power , which is far superior .
More so , it is the morale and will to fight which matters and not the tangible factors .
Indian military is deficient of these vital ingredients .
Since 2001 , Pakistan was encircled and choked under a calculated scheme and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to war on terror , hostility of India , Afghanistan and non-cooperation of Iran .
Neutralization of Afghan and Iran fronts would give a deathblow to Indian sponsored terrorism in Baluchistan and KP and would not only let Pakistan breathe freely after the impending crack-up of India ’ s strategic encirclement plan , but would also diminish threats to security of CPEC .
Unfortunately , Pakistan leadership has still not come out of the obsession of befriending India , which has repeatedly threatened to splinter Pakistan .
India has still not reconciled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheming to undo Pakistan , which it sees as the only stumbling block in its way to become unchallenged super power of South Asia and a global power .
We naively think that prosperity of Pakistan hinges upon friendship with India and promotion of trade and business between the two countries .
This myopic fixation must end and we should learn to look elsewhere to make the country prosperous .
Pakistan should further galvanize its efforts for early political settlement in Afghanistan , and facilitate in growth of understanding between Iran and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigating the irritants between Iran and Pakistan .
With China ’ s entry , Chahbahar-Gwadar would complement as sister ports instead of rivalling each other to draw mutual benefits .
Pakistan must put in concerted efforts to complete the phase-2 projects of CPEC in next three years since it has become its economic life line .
Idea of RPEC should be turned into a reality .
Pakistan is enmeshed in host of political , economic and Covid-19 problems .
With external geopolitical environments showing signs of improvement , the government must redouble its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by making visible improvements in governance , financial management , moral rearmament and above all alleviating the socio-economic issues of the poor .
In conclusion one can say that Indo-US- Israeli nexus supported by UK in their bid to monopolize the world have disturbed the peace of the world and made it unsafe and insecure .
The trio is pushing the world towards 3rd world war .
The world is in need of a new international order based on equity , justice and fair play .
USA is a descending power and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war mongers and spoilers is shrinking and for peacemakers expanding .
The economic pivot has shifted from the west to the east and the 21st century will be Asia ’ s century .
The writer is a retired Brig Gen , war veteran , father of 3rd generation officer Maj Faheem Asif Shaheed , defence & security analyst , international columnist , author of five books , Chairman Thinkers Forum Pakistan , Director Measac Research Centre , Member CWC and Veterans Think Tank PESS , Member Council Tehreek Jawanan Pakistan .
[ email @ @

Asif Haroon Raja
Plethora of problems loaded by India
India reluctantly accepted the Partition plan as a stopgap arrangement under the fond hope that it will not survive beyond six months.
To make it happen, Bengal and Punjab were bifurcated, Pakistan’s share of finances and other assets withheld, nine million destitute refugees forced to migrate from East Punjab and Central India.
Soon after the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, while Pakistan’s leaders grappled with umpteen problems to build Pakistan from a scratch, India forcibly annexed Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), which resulted in a war in Kashmir.
In 1948, India stopped water in the rivers flowing into Pakistan from Kashmir. In 1950 and 1951, India mobilized its forces and deployed them along its border with Pakistan and next enforced trade war with Pakistan. India launched the 1965 war with the intention to decimate Pak armed forces.
East Pakistan, located 1000 miles away from West Pakistan without any land access was marked as the first target by Nehru in 1948 for subversion and detachment from Pakistan to disprove two-nation theory. With this motive in mind, the educated and prosperous 19% Hindu community in East Bengal was asked to stay on and play its role in subverting the youth. In a matter of 23 years, the Hindu teachers, lecturers and professors brainwashed the students so thoroughly that they viewed West Pakistanis as their enemies and India as their friends.
Amputation of eastern limb and thereafter
After amputating eastern limb of Pakistan in 1971 with the help of its chief patron USSR, India shifted its focus on Sindh to fuel Jeeay Sindh movement and Baloch insurgency in Baluchistan in 1973. RAW was employed to carryout sabotage and subversion in the selected regions.
KGB and KHAD were fully involved in Baloch insurgency in the 1970s; Pakhtunistan movement was also backed. Moscow had reasons to settle scores with Pakistan since the latter was instrumental in bringing a thaw in China-USA relationship in 1971.
Pakistan took its sweet revenge by playing a key role in the Afghan Jihad which culminated in defeat of Soviet forces, fall of Berlin wall and eventual disintegration of Soviet Empire. When the time ripened to remove the blot of 1971 tragedy, Gen Ziaul Haq who had made plans to liberate Kashmir and also assist the Khalsas in establishing Khalistan, died in a mysterious air crash.
After his departure, the Pakistan economy fell behind Indian economy, and Pakistan adopted defensive and apologetic foreign policy. India on the other hand became assertive and aggressive under the patronage of its new paramour USA, particularly when BJP took over power and carried out nuclear tests in 1998. Advani threatened to annex Azad Kashmir (AJK).
Another international conspiracy woven after 9/11
After 9/11, India in collusion with its strategic partners USA, Israel, NATO and Afghanistan, launched the biggest ever covert war from Afghan soil to denuclearize and fragment Pakistan into four parts. For this purpose, India relentlessly expanded and modernized its armed forces and nuclear/missile/cyber power with a view to undertake a military offensive under the Cold Start Doctrine at an opportune time. The grand strategy included destabilization, strategic encirclement, defamation and isolation of Pakistan.
For this purpose, Indian military presence in Siachin Glacier and occupied Kashmir was beefed up, water terrorism was employed as a coercive tool, influence in Afghanistan was enlarged, defence & strategic agreements with Iran were signed, Arab Gulf States were won over, FATF used as a weapon to blacklist Pakistan and hybrid war unleashed to tarnish the image of Pakistan.
FATA/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Baluchistan were made restive by triggering Pashtun/Baloch separatist movements. Balwaristan movement was fueled in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Pakistan’s economic hub-centre Karachi was made lawless with the help of MQM. PPP added fuel to urban terrorism in the port city. Apart from the nationalist parties that had played a major role in preventing construction of Kalabagh Dam, PPP and PML-N were also cultivated by India to keep the Kashmir cause on backburner and to disrepute Pak Army.
Some TV channels and English newspapers were heavily funded by foreign agencies for selling tutored themes, building perceptions, stimulating liberalism, undermining Islam, discrediting state institutions and fomenting divisions in society.
India used its diplomatic clout and military power to keep SAARC under shadows. It tried hard to change this forum into South Asian Economic Union dominated by Delhi. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Burma were turned into Indian satellites. Hasina Wajid was forced to pursue anti-Pakistan policies.
In order to spoil Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran, and to keep Iran away from BRI, India signed strategic partnership agreement with both, built a highway from Zaranj to Delaram in Afghanistan to connect it with Chahbahar Port, invested money for upgradation of Chahbahar Port, started building North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) connecting Mumbai Port with Bandar Abbas Port in cooperation with Russia. India also undertook 628 km long railway project to connect Chahbahar with Zahedan and finally to Zaranj.
These projects were undertaken with the sole objective of creating an alternative trade route to Afghanistan-Central Asia, reduce Kabul’s dependence on Islamabad, and undermine upcoming Gwadar Port as well as China’s BRI initiative.
While Russia has been tacitly supporting NSTC, the USA has been implicitly favoring upgradation of Chahbahar with Indian effort to undercut Gwadar. Chahbahar-Gwadar rivalry suits both US and India.
While using terrorism as a stick to lambast and browbeat Pakistan, India built a false narrative that Pakistan was an abettor and India a victim of terrorism. The world accepted the fake narrative since it was backed by USA and the West.
Pakistan made no effort to build a counter narrative to put the record straight since successive regimes followed policy of appeasement of USA and India. Consequently India managed to hide its massive crimes against Kashmiris and Indian minorities.
BJP regime under extremist Modi, a product of RSS, broke all records of state terrorism and human rights violations during its six-year inglorious rule and has maintained a highly aggressive posture against Pakistan. In the books of Indian leaders, Pakistan can exist if it accepts Indian hegemony and agree to become a compliant state.
Inclusion of India into Asia-Pacific quad to contain China and naming India as the bulwark against China, and policeman of Indo-Pacific region made Modi and his Hindutva loving team of fascists ecstatic and they began to imagine India a super power of South Asia. Accordingly they carved out a muscular policy.
The happy tidings for intolerant Modi regime soured in the aftermath of its false flag operation enacted at Pulwama on February 14, 2019, which was aimed at preparing grounds for conducting a surgical air strike against Pakistan so as to boost its Hindu vote bank for elections in May that year, and next to abrogate the special status of J&K followed by limited attacks in GB-Azad Kashmir (AJK). All the offensive acts of India backfired and it has suffered one humiliation after another.
Setbacks/fallouts effects suffered by India
The setbacks and the fallout effects suffered by India, together with some connected regional developments are tabulated hereunder:
Abortive airstrike in Balakot on February 24th, 2019 which was chased out by PAF. Pakistan’s counteraction on the night of February 26, followed by an air duel on February 27th in which two Indian jets were downed and two pilots (Indian and Israeli) captured. One Indian helicopter was shot down in panic by own troops. India snatched the special status of disputed J&K on August 5 which created an uproar in the international arena and once again brought the oldest unresolved dispute of Kashmir in limelight. Lockdown of 8 million Kashmiris for 11 months, their inhuman persecution, torture and rapes exposed the ugly face of fascist India, evoking strong censure from the world. India’s grave violations of human rights are widely censured by international media and notables in Europe and USA. Imposition of anti-Muslim discriminatory citizenship amendment act in India in December 2019, sparked nationwide protests of all the minorities, and led to bloodshed of Muslims in Delhi in February 2020 by Hindu fanatics duly protected by the police. It resulted in 53 deaths, injuries to over 200 and destruction of Muslims properties. Paradoxically, Muslims were blamed for the carnage. Promulgation of new domicile act in J&K to change the Muslim majority into minority. It has given added fillip to the resolve of Kashmiri freedom fighters to resist the occupying forces. Among the dozens of insurgencies and separatist movements raging in India, Khalistan movement is assuming dangerous proportions and preparations for a referendum in coming December are being made enthusiastically.
Other regional developments in 2020
Afghanistan
Historic peace agreement signed between USA and Taliban on February 29, 2020 consternated India and Ghani regime in Kabul. For all practical purposes, Afghanistan has slipped out of the hands of India and USA, but spoilers are trying their best to derail peace process. Delay in the prisoners swap is the major hindrance in the start of intra-Afghan dialogue. Taliban are keeping up the momentum of attacks and exit of bulk of US troops this year is a foregone conclusion. India is averse to the Taliban and so are the Taliban to Indian presence in their country. Conversely, China, Pakistan have a happy understanding with Taliban and with Kabul regime. After the exit of US troops, Indian political, economic and intelligence influence would drop to lowest ebb thereby enabling China to take Afghanistan in the loop of BRI.
Indo-China border scuffle
In reaction to Indian military provocations and fast track construction of Chushal-Darbuk-DBO/Siachin supply route, China lost its traditional cool. The intruding Indian soldiers in Galwan River Valley were brutally thrashed by PLA soldiers with batons, sticks and fists. 0ver 25 Indian soldiers including a Col were mauled to death, dozens badly injured and over 50 captured in three scuffles in May/June 2020. The feat which deflated the heat of Indian jingoism and chastened BJP leaders was achieved without firing a bullet. The whole Galwan Valley is now under the control of PLA and LAC redrawn. It has forestalled India’s intentions to establish Indo-US-Israel military bases in Ladakh, make Ladakh a permanent military station, threaten Aksai Chin, scuttle CPEC, destroy Bhasha dam, and annex GB. China-Pakistan are now in a sound position to undertake joint military operation in Ladakh whenever the need arose. Arunachal Pradesh has become more vulnerable and so is the Siliguri chicken neck. Ladakh’s neutralization has rendered Indian 3 Corps presence at Leh and Siachin untenable. It will also have a domino effect on Indian 9 lacs forces in J&K which are finding themselves cornered by China, Pakistan and Kashmiris. Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris are the three stake holders in Kashmir dispute, but now China has become the 4th stake holder. This equation has loaded the dice against India. Indo-US-Israel nexus which is poised against CPEC has bonded Pakistan and China as iron brothers. Both can count upon each other whenever security interests of any country are threatened. India’s power projection was based on fanciful imaginations, daydreaming and dramatized by Indian media and Bollywood. Remaining out of combat zone after 1971, Indian armed forces have become soft and languid. Indian soldiers quench their macho thirst by killing hapless unarmed civilians in India, in occupied Kashmir and along the LoC. Sikhs are their best fighters but of late many have put up resignations in order to join Khalistan movement. Indians are getting restless over muteness and inaction of Modi regime which had won elections in 2014 and 2019 on account of Modi roaring like a lion and making them rapturous. They are thumbing their noses at Indian media which at the slightest provocation go berserk and create war hysteria. Indians are also questioning their military leadership as to what happened to their tall claims that they can conveniently take on both China and Pakistan. Next six months are crucial for India and in case corona virus spins out of control and economy dips further, domestic situation in India would get highly explosive.
USA’s dilemma
USA which mothers India and Israel and uses the duo to serve its ends in South Asia, Afghanistan and Middle East is caught up in a logjam of its own making. Its whole-hearted support to the anti-peace regimes and going an extra mile to cover-up their crimes against humanity has lowered its prestige in the world. It is badly stuck up in Afghanistan, in Persian Gulf, in Syria, in Yemen and in Ukraine.
Its economy, which was already off-colour due to 19-year war on terror and support to proxies, has been further depleted by trade war with China, tussle with Russia, and the corona pandemic which has severely impacted the global economy.
Trump himself is too deeply engrossed in battling internal and external challenges. His major focus is on November elections and has no time to get involved in China-India tiff in the Himalayas.
Trump’s policy of intimidation through sanctions, embargo and isolation of Iran has backfired and has impelled Iran to veer towards China.
$ 400 billion Sino-Iran deal has further deepened US-China rivalry. Whosoever wins the next presidential race, (Trump or Joe Biden), will have to take-up emerging China-Iran equation on priority.
Sino-Iran strategic agreement
Iran had resisted the offer of $400 billion made by President Xi Jinping in 2016 as part of his BRI project and preferred to remain within the loop of Russia, India and Afghanistan. It remained more involved in expanding its Shia arc in the Middle East. Iran changed its heart when India stopped buying oil from Iran last year under the US pressure. The change was discernible when Iran supported the cause of Kashmiris, and didn’t utter a word over Indo-China skirmish in favor of India. Other reasons for the change are that India has become the most allied ally of US, while both Iran and China are hostile to USA. Iran was uncomfortable with ever growing India’s partnership with its arch rivals USA and Israel, and with Saudi Arabia, UAE. Cancelation of railway line project given to India by Iran to connect Chahbahar with Zahedan, and China-Iran $400 billion agreement in July 2020 by virtue of which China will invest $250 for energy projects, and $150 for infrastructure in Iran, in return for China buying oil from Iran on 20% discount spread over 25 years in yuan are clear-cut indications that over a period of time Iran will rely more on emerging super power than on India. While Iran would either complete the Chahbahar-Zahedan-Zaranj railway project by March 2022 at its own, or with China’s assistance, possibility of Iran handing over technical control of Chahbahar to China cannot be ruled out. Iran is under duress due to US, UN, EU sanctions and Covid-19 pandemic. $400 billion deal will go a long way in easing its economic woes and diplomatic isolation. Trade in yuan will give impetus to de-dollarization. Iran doesn’t gain anything by pitching Chahbahar against Gwadar, and gains a lot through collaboration. Lessening of the Indian influence will impel Iran to gravitate towards China and it might decide to join CPEC to draw much-needed economic benefits. Envisaged China-Iran joint venture of constructing a new port at Jask-e-Bandar, east of strategic Suez Canal will have adverse implications for the imperialist agenda of Indo-US-Israel nexus in the Middle East wanting to control all the seven key choke points and sea lanes. China’s naval presence at Gwadar, Djibouti and in future in Jask, would cause a setback to Indo-US plans to completely dominate Indian Ocean.
Evolving global/regional scenario
Moscow has now reconciled with Pakistan owing to changed geopolitical realities. China-USA are now rivals, while China-Russia are strategic partners and India is strategic partner of USA. Russia is eager to befriend Pakistan because of China-Pakistan closeness, and its age-old quest for warm waters which can be fulfilled by CPEC in the form of RPEC. However, Putin is so far a bit reluctant due to Pakistan’s continued dependence upon USA. These fast moving developments have made NSTC project redundant and seem to have died in the crib. CPEC being the flagship project of BRI, acts as a magnet and will surely attract Russia, Afghanistan (CAPEC) and landlocked Central Asian States towards it. Regionally, China has befriended all the regional countries including GCC States and Israel and has promoted the concept of peace, friendship and economic returns through equitable partnership. China is the only country whose economy is growing since the onset of coronavirus. Its export size is 75% of world trade and bulk of it would be passing through CPEC, which will greatly benefit Pakistan. India is the lone war monger harboring grandeur ambitions and is in conflict with all seven South Asian States and China. Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim have begun to flex their muscles for the first time. Surprisingly, Bangladesh has expressed desire to normalize relations with Pakistan. Sino-Iran strategic agreement when seen in context with US-China trade/pandemic war, US-Iran stand-off in Persian Gulf, Indo-China face-off in Himalayas, India’s dangerous designs against Pakistan will have far reaching ramifications for the overall geo-strategic environment that are presently in a flux, and might lead to new alignments in Asia. The fast evolving global and regional scenario has almost unhinged India’s encirclement plan and today it finds itself encircled and isolated. Modi is upset that so far USA has not come to his rescue and Russia has decided to watch the conflict from a distance. Whatever additional weaponry he may acquire, wouldn’t match China’s military power, which is far superior. More so, it is the morale and will to fight which matters and not the tangible factors. Indian military is deficient of these vital ingredients.
Happy tidings for Pakistan
Since 2001, Pakistan was encircled and choked under a calculated scheme and was left with no breathing space due to war on terror, hostility of India, Afghanistan and non-cooperation of Iran. Neutralization of Afghan and Iran fronts would give a deathblow to Indian sponsored terrorism in Baluchistan and KP and would not only let Pakistan breathe freely after the impending crack-up of India’s strategic encirclement plan, but would also diminish threats to security of CPEC.
Guidelines for Pakistan
Unfortunately, Pakistan leadership has still not come out of the obsession of befriending India, which has repeatedly threatened to splinter Pakistan. India has still not reconciled with the existence of Pakistan and it keeps scheming to undo Pakistan, which it sees as the only stumbling block in its way to become unchallenged super power of South Asia and a global power.
We naively think that prosperity of Pakistan hinges upon friendship with India and promotion of trade and business between the two countries. This myopic fixation must end and we should learn to look elsewhere to make the country prosperous.
Pakistan should further galvanize its efforts for early political settlement in Afghanistan, and facilitate in growth of understanding between Iran and China. Correspondingly, China can help in mitigating the irritants between Iran and Pakistan.
With China’s entry, Chahbahar-Gwadar would complement as sister ports instead of rivalling each other to draw mutual benefits. Pakistan must put in concerted efforts to complete the phase-2 projects of CPEC in next three years since it has become its economic life line.
Idea of RPEC should be turned into a reality.
Pakistan is enmeshed in host of political, economic and Covid-19 problems. With external geopolitical environments showing signs of improvement, the government must redouble its efforts to put its house in order by making visible improvements in governance, financial management, moral rearmament and above all alleviating the socio-economic issues of the poor.
To conclude
In conclusion one can say that Indo-US- Israeli nexus supported by UK in their bid to monopolize the world have disturbed the peace of the world and made it unsafe and insecure. The trio is pushing the world towards 3rd world war. The world is in need of a new international order based on equity, justice and fair play. USA is a descending power and China an ascending power. Space for the war mongers and spoilers is shrinking and for peacemakers expanding. The economic pivot has shifted from the west to the east and the 21st century will be Asia’s century.
The writer is a retired Brig Gen, war veteran, father of 3rd generation officer Maj Faheem Asif Shaheed, defence & security analyst, international columnist, author of five books, Chairman Thinkers Forum Pakistan, Director Measac Research Centre, Member CWC and Veterans Think Tank PESS, Member Council Tehreek Jawanan Pakistan. asifharoonraja@gmail.com


veteranstoday--2020-07-20--India Moving towards breakup like the Soviet Union

The former Soviet Union which had subjugated the minorities and ethnic groups in various provinces and regions through its military , disintegrated in 1991 .
Even its nuclear weapons could not save its collapse .
One of the important causes of the disintegration of the former Russian Empire was that its greater defence expenditure exceeded to the maximum , resulting into economic crises inside the country .
About a prolonged war in Afghanistan , former President of the Soviet Union Gorbachev had declared it as the “ bleeding wound.
” However , militarisation of the Soviet Union failed in controlling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various ethnic groups and nationalities .
Learning no lesson from its previous close friend , India has been acting upon the similar policies in some other way , which led to the breakup of the Soviet Union .
When Indian fanatic Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the leader of the ruling party BJP , came to power , he accelerated anti-Kashmir moves .
Since August 5 , 2019 Modi ’ s government ended special status of the Jummu and Kashmir to turn Muslim majority into minority in the Indian Occupied Kashmir ( IOK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement , Indian central government issued a notorious map on October 31 , 2019 .
In accordance with it , Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh .
Besides Pakistan , China also rejected Indian map and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories as “ unlawful and void ” , and against the UNO resolutions .
Despite the new agreement , border dispute between New Delhi and Beijing , which still remains unsettled , has increased tension between the two countries .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new domicile law against the majority of Kashmiris , issuance of domicile certificates to 25000 non-Kashmiris and intermittent shelling inside Pakistani side of Kashmir in connection with the Line of Control ( LoC ) -which has killed hundreds of innocent villagers , indicate ‘ Modi ’ s fascist India ’ .
Thus , New Delhi completely ended any sort of dialogue with Islamabad to settle the Kashmir issue .
Now , almost one year has passed .
But , Indian extremist rulers continue military clampdown in the IOK where Indian forces have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights abuses by martyring tens of thousands of the Kashmiris through brutal tactics , pallet-guns and various kinds of torture .
Despite the deployment of 900,000 troops in the Indian Held Kashmir and intensification of firing by the Indian forces in wake of shortage of foods , medicines for the patients and coronavirus pandemic , innocent Kashmiris are still violating the lockdown by protesting against Indian illegal actions .
In order to conceal India ’ s state terrorism , Kashmir has been cut off from rest of the world .
But , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world and the social media , which show extrajudicial killings of the innocent people by the ruthless Indian military and paramilitary troopers .
In fact , since Modi became the Indian Prime Minister , he started implementing ideology of Hindutva ( ( Hindu Nationalism ) .
Under his regime , persecution of religious minorities such as Dalits , Sikhs , Christians and particularly Muslims , including even of lower cast-Hindus has been intensified .
In this regard , the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 ( CAA ) , passed by the Indian Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modi government .
The CAA coupled with the National Register of Citizens ( NRC ) is mainly against the Muslim immigrants especially from Pakistan , Bangladesh and Afghanistan .
Since December 15 , 2019 , daily mass protests , even by the moderate Hindus have been taking place across every state in India against the CAA and the NRC , which resulted into killing of more than 200 persons and injuring 900-mostly Muslims by the police and fanatic Hindus .
But , Modi-led regime has not withdrawn the CAA/NRC .
In the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking official installments .
In this context , Indian media admitted that Maoists have entered the cities , expanding their activities against the Indian union .
On 22-23 April 2018 , at least 39 Maoists were killed in an alleged encounter with Indian security forces in district Gadchiroli .
Maoist uprising is second major freedom movement after that of the Occupied Kashmir .
Indian former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called Maoist insurrection , “ the single biggest internal-security challenge ” , whereas , Home Secretary G.K Pillai had reiterated the magnitude of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to completely overthrow the Indian state by 2050 .
The Naxalite-Maoists , as they call themselves , are the liberators , representing landless farmers and the downtrodden masses who have been entangled into vicious circle of poverty , misery and deprivation .
Nevertheless , India , dominated by politicians from the Hindi heartland—Hindutva have been using brutal force ruthlessly against Assam , Kashmir , Khalistan , Mizoram , Nagaland , Tamil Nadu , Arunachal Pradesh , Meghalaya , Manipur and Tripura .
These states which are ethnically and linguistically different from rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large number of armed and violent rebellions , some seeking separate states , some fighting for autonomy and others demanding complete independence .
Instead of redressing the grievances of the people by eliminating injustices against them , Modi-led Indian regime is depending upon state terrorism to crush these extremist and secessionist movements .
But , India ’ s unrealistic counterinsurgency strategy has badly failed .
It is notable that by ignoring the modern global trends like renunciation of war , peaceful settlement of disputes and economic development , India has accelerated alarming arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ) has revealed on February 17 , 2020 that in 2019 , total global military expenditure rose to $ 1917 billion in 2019 .
It said that the five largest spenders in 2019 accounted for 62 percent of expenditure .
India is among the world ’ s largest recipient of arms .
According to the ‘ Military Balance 2018 ’ report of IISS , “ India ’ s defence budget broke into the world ’ s top five…beating the UK for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence spender in the world in 2017 at $ 52.5 billion , up from $ 51.1 billion in 2016.
” It is noteworthy that India test-fired its longest range surface-to-surface nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5 on December 26 , 2017 , which is capable of striking a target of more than 5,000 km away .
It can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tone .
It can target almost all of Asia , including Pakistan , China and Europe .
While , the Agni-6 is reported to be in early stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a strike-range of 8,000-10,000 km .
Meanwhile , America set aside the Indian poor record regarding the safety of nuclear weapons and materials .
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 International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) , the US signed a pact of nuclear civil technology with New Delhi in 2008 .
During American President Barack Obama ’ s visit to India , on January 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a breakthrough on the pact which would allow American companies to supply New Delhi with civilian nuclear technology .
On November 2 , 2010 , the US agreed to sell India 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 India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale .
While , French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has handed over three Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force .
Delivery of all 36 aircraft is expected to be completed by April 2022 .
Notably , Indian ex-Army Chief , General Deepak Kapoor had said 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.
” Particularly , fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and especially Pakistan—after signing of the agreement China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has irked the eyes of Americans , Indians and Israelis .
Owing to jealousy , America desires to make India a major power to counterbalance China in Asia .
Even , Indian civil society organizations , while complaining of Indian excessive defense spending , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Minister of External affairs Jaswant Singh who served the BJP for 30 years was expelled from the party for praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah [ Founder of Pakistan ] and echoing the pain of the Indian Muslims in his book , “ Jinnah : India , Partition , Independence ” .
Pointing out the BJP ’ s attitude towards the minorities , Singh wrote : “ Every Muslim that lives in India is a loyal Indian…look into the eyes of Indian Muslims and see the pain.
” He warned in his book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India could have third partition.
” Nonetheless , India is moving towards breakup like the Soviet Union and Kashmir which has become special target of India ’ s perennial state terrorism is giving impetus to other movements of separation and insurgency in the country in wake of financial crises , acute poverty and rapidly-spread of coronavirus pandemic .
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

…by Sajjad Shaukat for VT
The former Soviet Union which had subjugated the minorities and ethnic groups in various provinces and regions through its military, disintegrated in 1991. Even its nuclear weapons could not save its collapse.
One of the important causes of the disintegration of the former Russian Empire was that its greater defence expenditure exceeded to the maximum, resulting into economic crises inside the country. About a prolonged war in Afghanistan, former President of the Soviet Union Gorbachev had declared it as the “bleeding wound.”
However, militarisation of the Soviet Union failed in controlling the movements of liberation, launched by various ethnic groups and nationalities. Learning no lesson from its previous close friend, India has been acting upon similar policies in some other way, which led to the breakup of the Soviet Union.
When Indian fanatic Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the ruling party BJP, came to power, he accelerated anti-Kashmir moves. Since August 5, 2019 Modi’s government ended the special status of the Jammu and Kashmir to turn Muslim majority into minority in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).
Acting upon the August 5 announcement, the Indian central government issued a notorious map on October 31, 2019. In accordance with it, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Besides Pakistan, China also rejected the Indian map and declared the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories as “unlawful and void”, and spoke against the UNO resolutions. Despite the new agreement, the border dispute between New Delhi and Beijing, which still remains unsettled, has increased tension between the two countries.
However, other malicious acts by India, such as introduction of new domicile law against the majority of Kashmiris, issuance of domicile certificates to 25000 non-Kashmiris and intermittent shelling inside Pakistani side of Kashmir in connection with the Line of Control (LoC)-which has killed hundreds of innocent villagers- indicate ‘Modi’s fascist India’. Thus, New Delhi completely ended any dialogue with Islamabad to settle the Kashmir issue.
Now, almost one year has passed. But, Indian extremist rulers continue a military clampdown in the IOK, where Indian forces have broken all previous records of gross human rights abuses by martyring tens of thousands of the Kashmiris through brutal tactics, pallet-guns and various kinds of torture.
Despite the deployment of 900,000 troops in the Indian held Kashmir and intensification of firing by the Indian forces in wake of shortage of foods, medicine for the patients and the coronavirus pandemic, innocent Kashmiris are still violating the lockdown by protesting illegal Indian actions.
In order to conceal India’s state terrorism, Kashmir has been cut off from rest of the world. But, some reports and images are appearing in the world and the social media, which show extrajudicial killings of innocent people by the ruthless Indian military and paramilitary troopers.
In fact, since Modi became the Indian Prime Minister, he started implementing an ideology of Hindutva ((Hindu Nationalism). Under his regime, persecution of religious minorities such as Dalits, Sikhs, Christians and particularly Muslims, including even of lower cast-Hindus has been intensified.
In this regard, the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) passed by the Indian Parliament further exposed the discriminatory policies of the Modi government. The CAA coupled with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is mainly against the Muslim immigrants, especially those from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Since December 15, 2019, daily mass protests, even by the moderate Hindus have been taking place across every state in India against the CAA and the NRC, which resulted into killing of more than 200 persons and injuring 900-mostly Muslims by the police and fanatic Hindus. But, the Modi regime has not withdrawn the CAA/NRC.
In the recent years, Maoists intensified their struggle by attacking official installments. In this context, Indian media admitted that Maoists have entered the cities, expanding their activities against the Indian union. On 22-23 April 2018, at least 39 Maoists were killed in an alleged encounter with Indian security forces in Gadchiroli district. The Maoist uprising is the second major freedom movement after that of the Occupied Kashmir.
Indian former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called the Maoist insurrection, “the single biggest internal-security challenge”; whereas, Home Secretary G.K Pillai had reiterated the magnitude of this threat by saying that the Maoists want to completely overthrow the Indian state by 2050. The Naxalite-Maoists, as they call themselves, are the liberators, representing landless farmers and the downtrodden masses who have been entangled by a vicious circle of poverty, misery and deprivation.
Nevertheless, India, dominated by politicians from the Hindi heartland—Hindutva have been using brutal force ruthlessly against Assam, Kashmir, Khalistan, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. These states which are ethnically and linguistically different from rest of the country are rocked by a large number of armed and violent rebellions, some seeking separate states, some fighting for autonomy, and others demanding complete independence.
Instead of redressing the grievances of the people by eliminating injustices against them, the Modi regime is depending upon state terrorism to crush these extremist and secessionist movements. But, India’s unrealistic counterinsurgency strategy has badly failed.
It is notable that by ignoring modern global trends like renunciation of war, peaceful settlement of disputes and economic development, India has accelerated an alarming arms race in South Asia.
In its report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed on February 17, 2020 that in 2019, total global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019. It said that the five largest spenders in 2019 accounted for 62 percent of expenditure. India is among the world’s largest recipient of arms.
According to the ‘Military Balance 2018’ report of IISS, “India’s defence budget broke into the world’s top five…beating the UK for the first time…India overtook the UK as the fifth-largest defence spender in the world in 2017 at $52.5 billion, up from $51.1 billion in 2016.”
India test-fired its longest range surface-to-surface nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5 on December 26, 2017, with a capability of striking a target of more than 5,000 km away. It can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one ton. It can target almost all of Asia, including Pakistan, China and Europe. Meanwhile, the Agni-6 is reported to be in the early stages of development and the most advanced version, with a strike-range of 8,000-10,000 km.
America overlooks India’s poor record on the safety of nuclear weapons and materials. Despite India’s violations of various international agreements and its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the US 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, the US agreed to sell India the new F-35 fighter jets, including US F-16 and F-18 fighters, C-17 and C-130 aircraft, radar systems, and Harpoon weapons etc. Besides acquisition of arms and weapons from other western countries, especially Israel, America is a potential military supplier to India. The US also pressurized the IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to India for obtaining civil nuclear trade on a larger scale.
French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has handed over three Rafale multi role fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force. Delivery of all 36 aircraft is expected to be completed by April 2022.
Indian ex-Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor had said 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.”
Particularly, the fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic relationship with Russia, the Third World, and especially Pakistan after signing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement has irked Americans, Indians and Israelis. Owing to jealousy, America wants to make India a major power to counterbalance China in Asia.
Even Indian civil society organizations, while complaining of excessive Indian defense spending, pointed out that the government spends very little 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 the guns-versus-butter question.
Showing a realistic approach, the Indian Minister of External affairs Jaswant Singh, who served the BJP for 30 years, was expelled from the party for praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah [Founder of Pakistan] and echoing the pain of the Indian Muslims in his book, Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence.
Pointing out the BJP’s attitude towards the minorities, Singh wrote: “Every Muslim that lives in India is a loyal Indian…look into the eyes of Indian Muslims and see the pain.” He warned in his book, if such a policy continued, “India could have third partition.”
Nonetheless, India is moving towards a breakup like the Soviet Union; and Kashmir, which has become a special target of India’s perennial state terrorism, is giving impetus to other movements of separation and insurgency in the country in the wake of financial crises, acute poverty and the rapid spreading of coronavirus.
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.com


veteranstoday--2020-07-20--Trump Ordered Killing: Son of Federal Judge Murdered in Trump/Epstein/Deutsche Bank Cover-up

VT : Our sources say this is a Mossad hit on a Federal Judge who could put the entire Trump family behind bars .
There is no doubt , follow the Twitter Storm , all the media has it , this is a Trump ordered murder and a botched Mossad hit .
Federal judge ’ s son , 20 , is shot dead and her criminal defense attorney husband is critically injured after a gunman disguised as a FedEx driver ambushed their home – four days after she was assigned a case linked to Jeffrey Epstein UK Daily Mail : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal judge ’ s son was shot dead and was her husband critically wounded in their North Brunswick , New Jersey home .
The suspect dressed as a delivery driver rang the doorbell and broke into the home of Esther Salas , an Obama-appointed District Court judge , on Sunday night .
Daniel Anderl , the judge ’ s 20-year-old son ( not pictured ) , was killed .
Her husband Mark Anderl , 63 , is reportedly in critical but stable condition in hospital .
After defaulting on multiple loans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrible credit risk and could not get loans for new projects in the late 1990s .
Then up stepped Deutsche Bank , which financed Trump to the tune of $ 2 billion .
Now Deutsche Bank is facing billions of dollars in fines for laundering Russian money .
Congress wants to get documents from the bank to investigate the connections , for obvious reasons , and the Supreme Court will rule soon on whether they get access to them .
Deutsche Bank lent Trump millions after he defaulted on loans they already gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 .
Known derisively as a “ global laundromat , ” the bank is facing U.S. and British legal actions over its role in a $ 20 billion Russian money-laundering scheme .
Two Congressional committees want the bank to release 10-plus years of records involving Trump and his three oldest children as Congress probes Russian money laundering and possible foreign influence involving Trump .
White House lawyers have fought the committees tenaciously .
It ’ s hoped that the Supreme Court ’ s verdict will end years-long efforts on the part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s finances .
Especially at issue is whether Russians interfered in the 2016 election and if that meddling was powered by Russian money funneled to Trump through the giant , scandal-ridden German bank .
This all went through a woman named Rosemary T. Vrablic , the managing director of private wealth lending for Deutsche Bank .
Ivanka Trump put her in touch with her father and the money began to flow .
Jared Kushner and his family had also had a long relationship with Vrablic and borrowed money through her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were suspect and they were sent to federal regulators , but no action was taken .
Hopefully the Supreme Court will allow House investigators to enforce their subpoenas and get the documents necessary to do a real investigation .
It looks like the bank laundered a huge amount of Russian money and turned it into loans to Trump .
Judge Salas was in her basement and was unharmed in the attack , which is thought to happened around 5pm on Sunday .
Salas has sat a judge on the U.S. District Court for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and was the first Hispanic woman to serve on the federal bench in the state .
She served as a public defender and federal magistrate before President Barack Obama nominated her to serve as a District Court Judge in 2010 .
She has presided over a several high-profile trials during her tenure , including the trial of former Real Housewife Teresa Giudice in a case regarding financial fraud .
Four days ago , she was assigned to preside over a case involving investors suing Deutsche Bank over their ties to pedophile Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases involving gangs and is believed to have received threats in the past .

VT: Our sources say this is a Mossad hit on a Federal Judge who could put the entire Trump family behind bars. There is no doubt, follow the Twitter Storm, all the media has it, this is a Trump ordered murder and a botched Mossad hit.
Trump has a half billion in loans coming due. They may be his biggest conflict of interest yet. https://t.co/c1vcUU9ETy via @MotherJones
If you had any doubt that laws still matter, while Trump’s goons are dissapearing protestors in Portland, an assassin shot the son and husband of the federal judge assigned to the Epstein/Deutsche Bank case pic.twitter.com/RIb5X06cyk
UK Daily Mail: A gunman is on the run after a federal judge’s son was shot dead and was her husband critically wounded in their North Brunswick, New Jersey home. The suspect dressed as a delivery driver rang the doorbell and broke into the home of Esther Salas, an Obama-appointed District Court judge, on Sunday night. Daniel Anderl, the judge’s 20-year-old son (not pictured), was killed. Her husband Mark Anderl, 63, is reportedly in critical but stable condition in hospital.
After defaulting on multiple loans and bond issues, Trump was considered a terrible credit risk and could not get loans for new projects in the late 1990s. Then up stepped Deutsche Bank, which financed Trump to the tune of $2 billion. Now Deutsche Bank is facing billions of dollars in fines for laundering Russian money. Congress wants to get documents from the bank to investigate the connections, for obvious reasons, and the Supreme Court will rule soon on whether they get access to them.
Deutsche Bank lent Trump millions after he defaulted on loans they already gave him and after he once sued them in 2008. Known derisively as a “global laundromat,” the bank is facing U.S. and British legal actions over its role in a $20 billion Russian money-laundering scheme. Two Congressional committees want the bank to release 10-plus years of records involving Trump and his three oldest children as Congress probes Russian money laundering and possible foreign influence involving Trump. White House lawyers have fought the committees tenaciously.
It’s hoped that the Supreme Court’s verdict will end years-long efforts on the part of U.S. officials to glean the truth about Trump’s finances. Especially at issue is whether Russians interfered in the 2016 election and if that meddling was powered by Russian money funneled to Trump through the giant, scandal-ridden German bank.
This all went through a woman named Rosemary T. Vrablic, the managing director of private wealth lending for Deutsche Bank. Ivanka Trump put her in touch with her father and the money began to flow. Jared Kushner and his family had also had a long relationship with Vrablic and borrowed money through her. Deutsche Bank watchdogs flagged several transactions that were suspect and they were sent to federal regulators, but no action was taken. Hopefully the Supreme Court will allow House investigators to enforce their subpoenas and get the documents necessary to do a real investigation. It looks like the bank laundered a huge amount of Russian money and turned it into loans to Trump.
Judge Salas was in her basement and was unharmed in the attack, which is thought to happened around 5pm on Sunday. Salas has sat a judge on the U.S. District Court for New Jersey in Newark, for nine years and was the first Hispanic woman to serve on the federal bench in the state. She served as a public defender and federal magistrate before President Barack Obama nominated her to serve as a District Court Judge in 2010.
Republicans are money laundering with Trump's mafia. Esther Salas is the federal judge overseeing a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank misconduct in the #TrumpEpstein relationship. https://t.co/pWBMkFiwhL — Scott Spencer (@bullriders1) July 20, 2020
Thx @AnnabelleT53 Salas was just assigned the Trump/Deutsche bank case.Two @DeutscheBank exec's died from "suicide" this year. Justice Kennedy suddenly retired because his son was involved in Trump/Deutsche loans.Trump loans co signed by Russian oligarchs https://t.co/c1qfmjIjVv — Peta Naylor Richkus (@peta_richkus) July 20, 2020
She has presided over a several high-profile trials during her tenure, including the trial of former Real Housewife Teresa Giudice in a case regarding financial fraud. Four days ago, she was assigned to preside over a case involving investors suing Deutsche Bank over their ties to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Salas has also been involved in cases involving gangs and is believed to have received threats in the past.
The notorious money laundering outfit Deutsche Bank can also identify the clients of Jeffrey Epstein. With Federal Judge Esther Salas being assigned the case just a few days ago, HER HUSBAND WAS SHOT AND HER SON KILLED. Do you have any info on that? 🧐https://t.co/0abE019amN — Mama Sherry (@s_carruth) July 20, 2020
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html
https://twitter.com/CeeLeeMusic/status/1285068040623857664?s=20


veteranstoday--2020-07-20--MIKE HARRIS SHOW: The Incredible Austin Steinbart Interview- Part 2

The Incredible Austin Steinbart interview : Part 2 In this week ’ s interview we explore in depth the real motivations behind the Q Anon movement and how this impacts daily life .
We also discuss the future of the coming frontiers of rapidly changing technologies as they evolve .
I think everyone will agree that corruption of every institution and government function in the USA is readily apparent , the question is : How do we the people deal with this corruption .
This is my second interview with Mr. Steinbart , and if what it represents is true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , then our future may have several bright spots and the bad guys should be afraid….very afraid .
Mr. Steinbart is far more forgiving than I am .
We will be posting the 3rd interview very soon , stand by , it keeps getting better .
Please become a subscriber to my youtube channel and I will have a website up soon .
Thank you for your support In Solidarity , and God Bless America .
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Some content may be satirical in nature .
All images within are full responsibility of author and NOT VT .

The Incredible Austin Steinbart interview: Part 2
In this week’s interview, we explore in-depth the real motivations behind the Q Anon movement and how this impacts daily life. We also discuss the future of the coming frontiers of rapidly changing technologies as they evolve.
I think everyone will agree that corruption of every institution and government function in the USA is readily apparent, the question is: How do we the people deal with this corruption.
This is my second interview with Mr. Steinbart, and if what it represents is true and factual, and I believe it is, then our future may have several bright spots and the bad guys should be afraid….very afraid.
Mr. Steinbart is far more forgiving than I am.
We will be posting the 3rd interview very soon, stand by, it keeps getting better. Please become a subscriber to my youtube channel and I will have a website up soon.
Thank you for your support
In Solidarity, and God Bless America.
Mike Harris