By Amb Anil Trigunayat,
Amidst a massive trust deficit back dwelling and political reckoning nonetheless on the anvil, President Biden became the 46th Head of State of the United or Divided States of America. He had the distinction of being the youngest Senator in 1972 (following the Indo-Pak war of 1971) and now sworn in as the oldest and a sensible President “ The Healer in Chief’ with first-ever Afro-Asian-American female Vice President in Kamala Devi Harris as his deputy. She is really the first generation Indian-Jamaican origin woman to break the glass ceiling. History has been made which was scripted by the outgoing President Trump, who apparently left a letter for his successor that is said to be gracious, but whose contents yet to be revealed. Strange as it may sound from a man who defied all norms of a smooth transition of power undermining the faith in the oldest and greatest democracy while not even publicly felicitating the new President. Well, he stuck to his signature style and achieved the unique distinction of being the only twice impeached President of these United States of America. He left by claiming that “He had done what he came to do”. Indeed, Trumpism is going nowhere.
It is also accurate that the entire planet appears to the winds blowing about the hyperpower. Many like China and Iran and even Pakistan have been “Bidening their time’’. while Trump unleashed his acidic affection on them. Nearer home- Islamabad, despite their track record of supporting terrorism cross border or otherwise, has been able to encash their nuisance value in the context of Afghanistan and Taliban connect across the aisle and big power divide. It also remained a non-Nato ally even though Trump often threatened and cut off carious tranches of financial and security assistance in 2018 citing lack of cooperation against terrorism and sided with India more often than not in its war or terror. India figured prominently in US’s South Asia and Indo-Pacific pivot.
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated President Biden tweeting “Look forward to working with @POTUS in building a stronger Pak-US partnership through trade & economic engagement, countering climate change, improving public health, combating corruption & promoting peace in the region & beyond,”. He also looked forward to participating in Biden’s proposed Global Democracy Meet , which in itself could possibly not get that traction offered the domestic difficulties and loss of face due to the unfortunate January 6 events. Pakistan believes that Biden Presidency may perhaps not be adversarial as he had contributed a fantastic deal towards enhancing Washington-Islamabad ties which includes the Kerry-Lugar Bill advertising higher-level safety ties, exchanges and counter-terrorism each as head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as Vice President in the course of Obama era. Pakistan remains a non-NATO ally even even though in the final Congress a bill was introduced to terminate that status due to Islamabad not taking adequate action against terror groups on its territory as effectively as against the Haqqani Group.
Getting back to that trajectory may perhaps be challenging as Sino-US partnership will continue to cast its shadow as Islamabad and Beijing are “iron-clad friends” and increasingly Washington views China as a threat and the competitor and brackets it with Moscow. But Islamabad may perhaps be deriving some comfort from the comments by Biden’s Defence Secretary General Lloyd Justin who stated in the course of the confirmation hearings ‘ If confirmed I will focus on our shared interests which include training future Pakistani military leaders through the use of Internal Military education and Training Funds. Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan. We also need to work with Pakistan to defeat Al Qaeda (naïve as it is? where and under whose patronage was friend Osama Bin laden hiding) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and enhance regional stability ) indeed ?). He seems to have been taken by the recent arrests of some terrorist leaders spawned and supported by deep state in Pakistan when he acknowledged that “Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups such as LeT and JeM.” Thank God they don’t live in glass homes.
Interestingly when asked what methods and tools it will take against Pakistan becoming a sanctuary for militants and violent organisations (option of words for terrorist groups is illuminating) Austin stated that Pakistan is a sovereign state and he looked forward to developing a partnership with the Pakistani military that will provide an opening to the US and Pakistan to cooperate on essential difficulties. The message is clear that it discounts the Pakistani political establishment and recognises however once again the primacy of Pakistani military and its deep state that has been the essential challenge for regional safety and stability.
While considerably water has flown down the Indus and Potomac maintaining the boat afloat perhaps difficult as international dynamic and currents have changed course. But the then-Senator Joseph R Biden was offered the second-highest civilian award ‘Hilal-i-Pakistan’ by the Pakistan government in ‘recognition of the constant help for Pakistan.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was one more awardee with him who also persuaded Trump to appear at PM Imran Khan kindly. No wonder in the course of his go to to Pakistan in 2011, Biden had claimed that the bilateral partnership was important “Our relationship, in my view and the view of President Obama, is absolutely vital to the interest of the United States, and I believe you believe it is vital to the Pakistani interest as well.” The two had earlier helped Islamabad get $1.5 bn in annual help for financial improvement of Pakistan. Since the US is a polity of lobby and super active PR firms and stress groups, “Vocal for neighborhood “on Kashmir problem by the new Administration could possibly be a minor irritant but the US can ill afford to dispense with its resolute commitment to counter -terrorism.
Should India bother -not actually, but it will be fascinating to see the trajectory of interactions and outcomes amongst the new Washington dispensation and embattled Imran Khan regime.
(The author is a former ambassador and presently, Distinguished Fellow Vivekananda International Foundation. Twitter: @aniltrigunayat Views expressed are individual and do not reflect the official position or policy of TheSpuzz Online.)