US-Pak Strategic Dialogue concludes

[dhilo]

The US has announced a $2 billion package of military and security aid to Pakistan on the last day of the US-Pak Strategic Dialogue between Washington and Islamabad. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that the five-year deal is subject to Congressional approval. The Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while the US delegation was led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The Dialogue was mainly focussed on the war on terror and Pakistan’s role in it. However, it was spilt in two parts:

One, the strategy about the fight against extremists, as well as in-depth discussion on the military needs of Pakistan’s defence forces.

Two, removing of some irritants to stress on the need for complete harmony and understanding.

Nevertheless, the hallmark of the these strategic talks - that were less strategic in the true sense of the word and more tactical dealing with the current issues of urgent nature - was the presence of the US President during the joint meeting of the two delegations. During the meeting, General Kayani clearly explained Pakistan’s point of view regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the Pak-Afghan border suggesting Pakistan’s future strategy to deal with the militants, besides highlighting the security problems it is facing on its eastern border with India. Obama also exchanged views with Kayani and Qureshi with regard to his forthcoming visit to India, while regretting that he would not be able to visit Pakistan in this trip, but, perhaps, next year in 2011. We, in Pakistan, hope that the proposed visit will take place in the earlier part of 2011, rather than later, as the Indian lobby is declaring Obama’s visit a great success of New Delhi’s foreign policy, implying the obvious with regard to Islamabad.

Reverting to the Dialogue, the Obama administration made it clear that it expects Islamabad to “do more” in the war - specifically naming the Haqqani group and Taliban sympathisers in Pakistan – keeping in view the $1 billion of US aid since 2005; during last fiscal year Washington provided double that amount. In this context, the US officials have recently assured us that further assistance would be provided, while in return they want Pakistan to deliver in the long run. Therefore, unlike previous military aid approved on a yearly basis, this time Washington is providing a five year package. It is expected that this will help our forces acquire the much needed equipment to fight the militants.

Vali Nasr, a senior Advisor on Pakistan and Afghanistan at the State Department, said: “The battle against the militants had expanded over the last year, but the floods had undone a lot of the Pakistani army’s efforts.” Then Holboorke said: “We believe that we have made great deal of progress that has reduced the threat to our homeland…but not eliminated.” But the Pakistani delegation at Washington remained firm suggesting that action against any group would be decided by Pakistan according to its interest.

The Strategic Dialogue, which started last year was mainly to remove trust deficit and, in its place, build mutual confidence between the two allies, and not just to discuss about a wide range of security issues concerning the US and Pakistan. Nevertheless, the five-year package announced by US Secretary of State on Friday, is meant to complement the $7.5 billion package of civilian aid over five years that was approved by the Congress in 2009. Surely, this means that the Obama administration wants to expand the security relationship that the US and Pakistan had in the past. But a relationship means that Washington should not only focus on its interest, but also those that are important to Pakistan.

As the three-day Strategic Dialogue in Washington was concluding, PM Yousaf Raza Gilani announced in Islamabad that there could be no peace in the region without peace in Afghanistan, and without resolving all major disputes with India. Gilani added that Pakistan is facing many internal and external challenges. Thus, hoping that the Dialogue helps in strengthening Pakistan’s relations with the US, he assured the world that Islamabad will continue all efforts to ensure permanent peace in the region adding that its nuclear capability is solely designed for self-defence. Did this statement carry a message for Washington on the eve of President Obama’s visit to New Delhi?