Hillary Clinton’s India Visit: New Delhi Reminds Washington of Country's Interests in Region

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up her three-day visit to India on May 8. Her trip came at a time when India and the United States are perceived to have taken somewhat different positions from each other on various issues. After two decades of increasing proximity, disagreements between the two countries over several key matters now seem to be slowing down the momentum of bilateral relations. Those who had hoped that Clinton’s visit would put the spark back in the ties will have been a bit disappointed as both parties have not done much, in addition to reiterating already-known positions.

During her stay, Clinton met key Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. and discussed a range of issues, including China, regional security and civil nuclear cooperation.

Pakistan’s Role in Eliminating Terror

The US secretary of state has pressed Pakistan to do more to ensure its territory is not used as "launching pad" by terror groups for attacks and also said that Hafiz Saeed was "one of the "principal architects" of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Hillary's comments came at a joint news conference after her talks with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna who spoke of the need for elimination of "terrorist sanctuaries" in the neighborhood.The two leaders nudged Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks and pledged to continue to work together in combating the menace.

In his remarks, Krishna said the recent terrorist attacks in Afghan capital – Kabul -- highlighted the need for elimination of terrorist sanctuaries in the neighborhood and for Pakistan to take steps against terrorism, including bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks. He also stressed the need for stronger action from Pakistan on terrorism, including on bringing to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack.

In April 2012, the United States offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the conviction of Saeed, the founder of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Afghan Problem

The vision for Afghanistan was also discussed at the meeting. India stressed the need for sustained international commitment to build Afghan capacity for governance, security and economic development, and to support Afghanistan with assistance, investment and regional linkages.

To ask India to “do more” on the Iranian issue, therefore, is not fair on the part of the United States. The US secretary of state should understand that if the US has to do all it can to safeguard its geo-political interests in the Afghanistan-Pakistan area, India, too, has its interests in Kabul which cannot be properly taken care of if New Delhi loses the Iranian link.

US Investment in West Bengal

Clinton’s offer to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to invest in West Bengal is, however, a welcome development. The state will also gain immensely once the issues between India and Bangladesh are settled conclusively. An agreement between the two neighbors on the Teesta River water issue could have been signed by now had Banerjee not taken a stand different from New Delhi’s line of thinking. But, as External Affairs Minister SM Krishna told his Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni, in New Delhi, efforts are on to bring the West Bengal Chief Minister to the view that the country’s overall interests must be given precedence over the state’s interest.

Earlier, the West Bengal chief minister had scuttled the United Progressive Alliance’s plans to allow Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail, arguing that the move would destroy small businesses. The US secretary of state seems to have failed to force a change of heart in the feisty Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Issue of Oil Imports From Iran

The Damocles sword is still hanging on India. The United States gave no firm assurance to India that the proposed American sanctions will not apply to it for oil purchases from Iran even as New Delhi stated that the Iranian issue was not a source of discord between the two countries.

Continuing to resist American pressure over the matter, India also made it clear that it would abide only by UN Security Council sanctions against Iran and not those imposed by individual countries.

The US pressure on India regarding oil imports from Iran leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Does it not tantamount to interference in our internal affairs? As long as Manmohan Singh is the prime minister any directions of the United States in India's internal affairs and treaties like nuclear deal are cake walks.

In March 2012, the United States announced sanctions which threaten to shut out importers of Iranian oil from the US financial system unless they make significant and continuing cuts to their purchases by the end of June. Japan and 10 European Union nations have been granted exemption while India and China remain at risk.

In addition to its need for oil, there are two reasons why India must not take the US pressure lying down. India's only reliable land-route into Afghanistan and Central Asia runs through Iran. Moreover, the current US approach is likely to make the Iranian — and regional — security situation worse, not better. Saudi Arabia and Israel, which is already nuclear-armed, worry that a nuclear-capable Iran would tilt the regional balance and want the squeeze put on Iran. But too much financial or military pressure could backfire, goading the regime to commit to acquiring a strategic weapon — something it has not done until today.

India has demonstrated that it has come of age and stood its ground. Iran, despite its saber rattling, is a responsible power and we have a very useful conduit to their Leaders, which could be invaluable, when the World needs stability and growth. India must neither shut off Iran's oil imports nor Iran's access routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Pakistan can make overtures to a new relationship, but India cannot afford to alienate the country that can provide a counter balance to the Taliban-Pakistan nexus.

India has been firm in its foreign policy right since independence, and rightly so; we are a country with one of the fastest growing economy. We have recently done an arm deal which is considered world's biggest. We have to manage our allies ourselves. The Indian external affairs minister’s decision to disagree with Clinton and reminding her of India's interests in the region.

David Headley Trial in Chicago Court

Approximately166 people, including a Rabbi of the US origin, Gavriel Noah Holtzberg, and his wife Rivka, were killed in the Mumbai attacks of November 2008. The relatives of this Jewish couple filed the case of the murder of their dear ones in a Chicago court. In addition to Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the US court summoned various people including the incumbent and former heads of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Among them, the US citizen of Pakistani origin David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana are particularly mentionable. Both are in the custody of the US officials since the end of November 2009 on the charge that they were planning terrorism act in Denmark after publication of caricature of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper. Both are in their 50s. Tahawwur is Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin. He spends most of his time in Chicago and is known as a businessman.
Smuggling of Narcotics
The matter of David Coleman is, however, different. David, who was born to a former Pakistani diplomat and US mother, was named as Dawood Gilani at the time of his birth. He changed his name to David Coleman Headley during his visit to Mumbai in 2006. His deeds were not good since the beginning.
He has been an informer in the US Drug Enforcement Administration in 1990s, where got addicted to the heroin and he also remained involved in the smuggling of narcotics. Because of his skill of sweet talk and cleverness, he is expert in getting close to any organization or agency. In addition to Pakistani agencies, he also hoodwinked some terrorist organizations. He has also been playing games of cleverness in his family life. He kept many wives at the same time and has been defrauding them so much so that his own children too have not been safe from his craftiness.
Implement Plan of Attacks
Headley is the start witness in the case of the Jewish couple who were killed in the Mumbai tragedy and is trying to also hoodwink the court by narrating his tittle-tattles. Sometimes his tales seems to be a scene of any thriller movie, e.g., he stated that to implement the plan of attacks, in 2006 he had gone to Mumbai where he used to conduct surveillance of the port onboard speedboats s that he could find a suitable place for landing of the attackers. He developed acquaintance with the top social circles of the city to avoid his detection by the agencies. He particularly developed relations with the people of film industry, which proved to be a good cover. Headley claimed that the Mumbai attacks were result of collaboration between the ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba and he has been in contact with Major Iqbal of the ISI in this regard. A GPS devise was used for selection of a suitable target and in addition to Taj Mahal Hotel, the headquarters of Shiv Sena was also paid special attention.
As they say that falsehood has no feet, Headley became contradictory during the next day court proceedings in spite of all preparations and sketching of a scene. When he faced cross-questioning on his statement of accusing the ISI, his tongue slipped and he said: "I cannot say something with certain." When the question was asked with further explanation whether he wants to say that the ISI head or its senior leadership was not involved in this incident? Headley at once replied: "Yes, sir." This statement of Headley is very close to the stance of Pakistan. Islamabad has been saying from the very first day that the Mumbai tragedy had not support of the ISI or any other government agencies in any way, if some nonstate actors were involved, nothing could be said.
Adventurism and Falsehood
The worthlessness of the mentioned case being heard by a US court is also being felt by the US media. Questions are being raised about the double, triple rather four-tier personality of Headley that the adventurism and falsehood of such an untrustworthy person cannot be allowed to influence the Pakistan-US relations. According to reports of The Washington Post and Newsweek, this case can have long-term impact on the already strained relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Headley also left no stone unturned in implicating his childhood friend Tahawwur Rana. He accused him of providing him (Headley) a cover, delivering messages and providing logistic support for actions in Mumbai and Copenhagen. It is vigorous effort of Headley to buy freedom and life for himself by scarifying his childhood friend but the circumstances are not on his side. If a thief acts for 100 days, the housemaster also has one day to catch him. It seems from the situation that now craftiness would not work for him and he would definitely meet his fate.

US-Like Strict Security Measures To Prevent Future Terror Bids

The Pune terrorist attack is another warning to us. This attack raises a question mark on our political leaders' will to fight terrorism and wipe it out. Despite getting all intelligence inputs, why do we not succeed to prevent such terror attacks? Why do we become complacent, considering it our success that there has not been another terrorist attack in one year?
Despite suffering from the sting of terrorism for so many years, why have we not been able to formulate an effective strategy to safeguard the country from such attacks? Why do we not do all that we must do as a nation, be it the government that has to do it, or society, or administration?

Politics of Vote Bank
As long as we do not look for answers to these questions, we would continue to lose innocent lives and keep blaming Lashkar-e-Taiba, Indian mujahidin, and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). But will such attacks stop by merely expressing concern over terrorism, blaming Pakistan, and appointing inquiry committees?
If we have to break the back of terrorism, sidelining politics of vote-bank, all political parties would not only have to formulate effective strategy sitting at the same table, but would also have to implement it. If we have to seek help from the United States or Israel for this purpose, we should not hesitate to do so.

Cooperation Between Federal and State Governments
In all conferences and seminars, there is talk of increasing coordination and cooperation between the federal and state governments to deal with terrorism, but the coordination appears ineffective as before. Allegations and counter-allegations after the attack are enough to expose such relations.
The Home Ministry says that the advisory was sent two months ago about a likely terror attack in Pune. The home minister also does not consider the attack as carelessness of intelligence agencies. Who should be held responsible if there is an attack on the same spot even after sending the advisory? The Home Ministry completed its formality by sending the advisory, but was it the state government that could not take concrete action on that advisory?

Flaws in System
When there was no attack for a long time after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack, it was taken for granted that terrorist organizations are so busy in Afghanistan-Pakistan that they do not have time to look at India. The Pune attack has falsified this belief. If our preparations are like the present, this is not the last one. On the terrorism front, we would have to be as tough as the United States. As long as we do not remove flaws like relaxation for VIPs in our security measures, the result is going to be the same.

India, Pakistan To Desist From Provocation in Troubled Time

It is either a misfortune or the uncontrollable emotions of think tanks in India and Pakistan, which have entangled them in a competition of uttering rhetorics. Tension between the two countries has thus increased. The happenings, which have knowingly or unwillingly occurred, are adding to it. Violation of ceasefire on the borders and failure to bid for Pakistan cricketers for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for cricket are among such incidents.
At a time when there is no sign of bitterness in bilateral relations being reduced, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani issued a highly irresponsible statement. He refused to guarantee that there would be no further Mumbai-type terrorist attacks in India. What is surprising is that he said this to the US Defense Secretary Roberts Gates. That the latter gave him a patient hearing is even more surprising. This implies that he did not go to Pakistan in order to bring it on the right track.

Rise in Terrorism
In the midst of this tense atmosphere in the two countries comes the bad news about the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba conspiring a major attack on the Republic Day (26 January). This causes no sensation because ever since the Mumbai attack, reports about such conspiracies being hatched across the border have been pouring in. This is enough to prove that Pakistan is least interested in controlling the terrorist organizations which are flourishing on its soil and whose sole intention is to continue attaching India. In the midst of news that the Lashkar is planning another major attack on India, Defense Minister A.K. Antony issued a statement confirming that India was ready to face such attacks.
It is difficult to understand the implication of this speech. Why are such inciting statements being made to increase tension when it is quite clear that the Lashkar and other terrorist organizations are trying to push the two countries to a war through their anti India activities?

Creating Internal Security Challenges
The atmosphere caused by these statements is favorable to terrorists. India should at least refrain from issuing statements which will make Pakistan become frenzied. The same gesture can also be expected from Pakistan, but in the present circumstances its leaders are perhaps unwilling to think of their own good. If this had not been true, Pakistan would never have ignored the Lashkar threat looming large before it and described India the foremost enemy. Since Pakistan seems to be disinclined to undergo self-analysis, it has itself become a victim of terror. At the same time, it is creating internal security challenges for India.