Sunday, February 14, 2010

Is Regional Scenario Changing?

Iran has said China would soon join Iran gas pipeline project. It must be clear that Iran, Pakistan and India were in this gas pipeline agreement earlier. However, the changing regional scenario and in the wake of Indian North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) type ties with the United States, India has apparently separated itself from this agreement.
The US rulers pressed upon Pakistan to suspend this agreement and statement regarding US displeasure continued coming into the newspapers. However, Pakistan demonstrated perseverance regarding this agreement. Now the Iranian disclosure of the Chinese inclusion in this project is highly significant in the current circumstances of US clout. Another issue of Iranian Government facing from Pakistan is that the organization Jundullah active against Iranian interests in Iranian Baluchistan allegedly operates from Pakistan.

Operatives of Jundullah
Iranian officials are of the position that either Pakistan should take action against Jundullah or Pakistan and Iran should take joint actions against it. It is a general perception that the US agency CIA is supporting and backing up Jundullah. Now the latest information is that Pakistan has apprehended some key operatives of Jundullah and handed them over to Iran.
Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan has met Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Fahmida Mirza in this regard and appreciated this Pakistani move. It is pertinent to mention here that Iran is the neighboring country that took initiative in recognizing newly state of Pakistan and good brotherly ties between both countries have always been important for both countries.
It is correct that due to Iranian anti-imperial policy after Imam Khomeini and particularly due to Pak-US ties, warmness between conventional friendly ties did not remain like before. Iran has already invited Pakistan repeatedly to join anti-US block in the region. However, Pakistan has its own strategy and this is that reason that this Iranian strategy could not be matured.

US Invasion of Afghanistan
The US invasion of Afghanistan, then the arrival of NATO forces in Afghanistan and particularly increasing Indian clout over there changed the situation and this created a room for flexibility in Pakistani strategy. Countries of this region have no difference with Pakistan's position over the issue of war on terror.
However, there could be different opinions over US interests. Pakistan and China has always been at good terms. China has always extended meaningful and conclusive cooperation for Pakistan's progress and defense. Perhaps no Pakistani Government can afford to adopt anti-China policy. However, it is not in the power of our ruling elite due to its luxurious life style and vested interests to spoil ties with the west and particularly with the United States.

Balance of Power
The balance of power in the world tilting to only one side is not favorable for the world itself. Moreover, the global capitalist economy is facing the worst crisis. It is quite a miracle that the economy of People's Republic of China is making progress at fast pace. The countries of this region are making efforts to end US clout in this region. The increase in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in this regard has turned the situation quite explosive.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have welcomed the inclusion of Frigate in Pakistan Navy manufactured by the cooperation of Pakistan and China. Another latest information is that US training of the police in Sihala Training School has been stopped. This picture of alliance between Pakistan, Iran and China is engendering this question, "Is Regional Scenario Changing?"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This balance of power will soon change with a looming Chinese collapse bigger than the Soviet Union's.