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Journalism of Courage
Meeting on the margins of last weeks G-20 summit in London,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the US President Barack Obama were effusive about their brief encounter. Sceptics dont attach much value to nice words exchanged by heads of state and government in formal settings. Yet,all those familiar with the mechanics of statecraft know that first impressions and personal chemistry matter a lot in diplomacy at the highest levels. In their 45-minute chat,the two leaders were not expected to negotiate on the many sensitive issues that confront the two nations. The meeting was about establishing a strong personal connection,and the two leaders were expected to reassure each other that recent gains in the bilateral relationship such as the civil nuclear initiative will be preserved,and consider prospects for cooperation on regional security and global climate change. Nothing that they said after the meeting caused alarm. But there are enough straws in the wind to convey that something is changing in the India-US security relationship.
Given the heavy lifting by the new US administration on the Af-Pak situation,and given Indias deep concern that adequate diplomatic pressure be maintained on Pakistan on clamping down on terrorists on its soil,there is reason for disquiet. As reported in The Sunday Express,a task force of the New York-based Asia Society has just released its report outlining a new American strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. While the task force does not carry any official sanction,its contents gain significance from the fact that it had been set up by Richard Holbrooke and had his membership till he was appointed Washingtons special envoy for Afghanistan-Pakistan. The report recommends that Washington conduct a dialogue with Islamabad to acknowledge its nuclear weapons status. Holbrooke is expected in New Delhi this week. And New Delhi should be keen to get his administrations view on the contents of the report,especially Pakistans proliferation record. There is a disclaimer in the report that Holbrooke cannot be associated with it,but with his inputs duly acknowledged,the question would have to be asked.
