Bush visit

Since US President George W Bush flew into Islamabad directly from New Delhi, where he had signed a civilian nuclear programme deal with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reinforcing the Indo-US 'strategic partnership' that began several years ago, there has been a transparent attempt on the part of both the US President and President General Pervez Musharraf to present the Pak-US relationship, too, as a 'strategic partnership.'
This would suggest that the two countries have resolved to forge a long-term relationship based on mutual interest, but it is quite clear that in actuality the present closeness of relations is centered on a transient issue: terrorism. When Bush said that he and President Musharraf had reaffirmed "our shared commitment to a broad and lasting strategic partnership," he hastened to add, "and that partnership begins with close co-operation in the war on terror."
Needless to say, countries base their foreign policies on self-interest rather than some altruistic or moralistic motives.
India, being the world's largest democracy, located right next to China, a superpower in the making, is advancing rapidly on the economic development trajectory, it easily qualifies to become a natural ally of the US. Washington needs its friendship for economic reasons as also for its potential to act as a countervailing force against China's rising power.
Pakistan, on the other hand, is important to the US only as a partner in what it calls the war on terrorism. In fact, Bush openly stated that part of his "mission" in Pakistan "was to determine whether or not the President (Musharraf) is as committed as he has been in the past to bringing these terrorists to justice." Surely, the statement is not reflective of a vote of confidence in the efforts that the government here has been making at a considerable cost to the country in terms of lives lost, both among the security forces and civilians living in the tribal belt adjoining the Afghan border, and the nation-wide political unease the conflict has engendered.
In the recent days Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been pointing accusatory finger at Pakistan for not doing enough vis-à-vis Tailbone and al Qaeda sanctuaries on its soil. President Musharraf had responded by renewing his offer to fence and mine the border, saying that it was not difficult to do the two things.
He had also said that he would suggest the same to Bush. But during his stopover in Kabul, Bush had assured Karzai he would raise the issue in Islamabad, and indeed held good on that assurance. Which is a bit out of sync with the requirements of public diplomacy. But then Bush would not be Bush if he did not make some display of his trademark arrogance.
On the more positive side, the US President reiterated his country's support to Pak-India efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.
He also hinted that the elections in Pakistan would be held on schedule in 2007, and observed that these "need to be open and honest." Whereas so far Washington had laid much emphasis on a personal relationship between the two presidents, as per a new agreement it has been decided to launch an institutional framework for a broad-based and longer term 'strategic partnership', which is an important step towards laying the foundation of a durable bilateral relationship.
What has occasioned a big sigh of relief is the US decision to drop its opposition to the Iran gas pipeline project, apparently on President Musharraf's urging.
Bush said that after President Musharraf explained the situation, "we understand you need to get natural gas in the region, and that's fine." Of course, it is not only Pakistan that wants the project to go-ahead, India too wants it badly. Despite the new civilian nuclear programme it is to set up with the US help, India needs gas from Iran as well as from other sources to meet its burgeoning energy requirements.
Bush also said that his energy secretary would be coming to Pakistan soon to assess the country's energy needs. This though does not mean that it would get a civilian nuclear programme like India's.
In fact, he explained that he had discussed the subject with his hosts, and explained that India and Pakistan are two different countries with different needs and different histories, hence the US strategy has to take into account those "well-known differences." Indeed, the reality is that India is fast emerging as a big economic power, and as such is the object of much international interest and attention. Pakistan is still struggling to deal with basic issues of economics and politics. It must strive to achieve its full potential before it expects to be treated with the kind of respect and admiration that is accorded to India.