Isolation is responsible for Pakistan’s UNGA rants
Trump’s new Afghanistan policy has a laserlike focus on Islamabad, and more tough measures are in the offing
Like every year, Pakistan has once again railed against India at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Raking up Kashmir again, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urged the UN to appoint a special envoy to the state to probe the alleged atrocities. He also called for the need to send an inquiry commission to the state in order to secure the punishment of those “responsible of human rights violation.” India’s response was quick and potent: It underlined that Pakistan is now “Terroristan”.
The world has stopped listening to Pakistani rants on Kashmir but Islamabad has nothing else to talk about at the global forum. These are tough times for Pakistan as it is feeling the heat from the rapidly evolving regional realities. The US’ new Afghanistan policy has a laser-like focus on Pakistan to make sure it abides by its commitments.
This theme also found mention in Donald Trump’s speech at the UNGA where he suggested that “it is time to expose and hold responsible those countries who support and finance terror groups”.
Pakistan, as the epicentre of global terrorism, could not have been oblivious to the underlying message.
A number of other tough measures are being considered which may include revoking Pakistan’s status of a non-NATO ally, cutting off aid, and even declaring Pakistan as a terrorist State. Not surprisingly, there is panic in Pakistan, which is suggesting that it is ready to respond in kind by gradually limiting diplomatic relations with the US, reducing mutual cooperation on terrorism-related issues and refusing cooperation with the US on Afghanistan.
Even as US-Pakistan relations are passing through one of their most turbulent phases, India has emerged as a critical part of Trump’s South Asia policy. Buoyed by Washington’s desire to see a more engaged India in the economic development of Afghanistan, India has decided to take up 116 “high impact community developmental projects” in Afghanistan. Pakistan continues to live in its own world as was reflected in its PM’s statement that there is no role for India in Afghanistan. Many in Pakistan are now putting all their eggs in China’s basket.
The Xiamen BRICS declaration, which listed Pakistan-based terror organisations for the first time, should be a warning to Pakistan than an isolated Pakistan would be of little use to even China. As regional trends unfold, Pakistan’s position is becoming difficult to sustain. Not surprisingly, ranting at the UN is the only thing left for Pakistani policy-makers.