A New South Asian Order In The Making

The Dawn, Pakistan
Editorial

March 9, 2006

By Sherry Rehman

DESPITE the concessions made by Pervez Musharraf for Washington, President Bush’s approach to South Asia indicates very clearly a major shift in US policy, refracted most sharply by his visit to the region. Not only has US policy de-linked India and Pakistan as meriting some semblance of parity, India seems to be getting the lion’s share of Bush’s attention as well as his administration’s favour.

This is as much a reflection of India’s pull as the largest democracy in the world as it is about attracting Indian markets or about countering the growing weight of China in Asia as well as the global stage.

First of all, the Bush administration sees India not only as a functioning democracy, it regards New Delhi as a stable manager of conflict and transition. Delhi’s capacity to absorb internal dissent without significant threats to central stability is quoted widely as a key factor attracting US state and private investor confidence.

Secondly, the scope of the new partnership between the US and India is being seen not only at a regional level, but as embracing a larger global strategic vision. If there are any doubts about the limits of the military partnership between the two, it has been eliminated by the unusually explicit statement issued by the US defence department hailing the deal as opening a path for more American-Indian military cooperation. “Where only a few years ago, no one would have talked about the prospects for a major US-India defence deal, today the prospects are promising, whether in the realm of combat aircraft, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft or naval vessels,” the statement said.

Although resistance is expected from China, it is probable to expect Britain, France, Germany and possibly Russia to fall into line with the agreement, in part because it would clear the way for them to sell nuclear fuel, reactors and equipment to India.

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