Aadi and I had a good discussion on the future of the US-Pakistan relationship. We realised that the relationship is historical and multifaceted. It has gone through many ups and downs. One has to be pragmatic in viewing their inter-se relationship. They still need each other. We need to understand the entire issue in the larger context and not view it in terms of Taliban or Afghanistan alone. Both have their interests and both have their compulsions. Understanding the nuances will enable India to deal with better with both.
‘Sir, will China invade us?’ ‘We hear China has increased activities on the border’. Chinese consolidation activities on the LAC have prompted such reactions and fears. Lot of such inquiries from citizens within and outside India. Why? Bodies floating down Ganga, mass graves, lack of oxygen, medicines or hospital beds, botched vaccination program, uninterrupted work on Central Vista - all these have eroded our political capital immensely and seeded such doubts. Our national institutions are being compared to ‘rottweilers’ in the media. Economy? Unemployment figures and stock markets – both rattling up. Strangest combination. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. An ominous divergence which bodes ill. Leadership? Kis Chidiya ka naam hai bhai? National level paralysis in responding to the second wave. Erosion in comprehensive national power. Many have never experienced India being so weak. Nor did I for that matter. This frightening experience ...
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