India’s neighbor and the much-vaunted ally of the United States in the War on Terror and spread of democracy, Pakistan has declared a state of emergency.
Nitin at the Acorn revisits his assessment and looks at the post-emergency scenario in Pakistan.
The imposition of martial law will plunge Pakistan into its deepest political crisis since 1971…It is almost certain that Pakistan will witness large scale capital flight, drying of foreign investment and disruptions to the economy. Moreover, the turmoil in Pakistan is likely to spill over into the region in the form of terrorist attacks in India, strengthening of the Taleban in Afghanistan and could even extend to the China’s Xinjiang province.
Sepoy at Chapati Mystery is following the news from Pakistan with regularly updates
It is officially being called “Emergency Plus? – more than “Emergency? but less than “Martial Law?. Just right.
Comments
6 comments. Leave your comment »
Vikram
Nov 3rd, 2007 at 9:23 pm | #
On a different note:
With all the political unrest in the Indian sub-continent, be it Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and now Pakistan, I wonder; is this not reason enough that India be made a permanent member of the UN security council. This way India will be able to play a bigger role in maintaining peace in the sub continent
A good example is that of Russia where Putin is playing a leading role among the Caspian sea nations when it comes to oil.
Nitin
Nov 3rd, 2007 at 10:17 pm | #
Vikram,
Unfortunately, it’s to the contrary. It’s reasonable to ask if India cannot even ensure the stability of the small states in its neighbourhood what claim does it have to the UN Security Council?
Ottayan
Nov 4th, 2007 at 12:49 am | #
What about the ordinary citizen of Pakistan?
He is always at the receiving end.
Vikram
Nov 4th, 2007 at 12:50 am | #
A permanent member not only enables you to veto any resolutions but also empowers you to take preventive measures.
Like the US, I’m sure the external afffairs ministry was abreast of this anathema.
In one another case, Burma pleaded for extended support and India was in a pickle.
I think its still an open question if India’s induction will elevate its authority and demand accountability. But the next question you will ask is that of the Non Proliferation Treaty which is a new topic all together.
Having said all this, am not quite sure if i comprehended your “contradiction”.
Correct me
Nitin
Nov 4th, 2007 at 7:44 am | #
Vikram,
Nobody empowers anyone. States empower themselves. The UN Security Council only provides legitimacy to those actions.
Now, states that have the will and the capability to take action to protect their interests will do so regardless of someone providing legitimacy. As when Indira Gandhi did what she did in 1971, or when the Vajpayee government ordered the nuclear tests. If you waited for the UN Security Council to bless these actions you would have waited a very long time.
Having said all this, am not quite sure if i comprehended your “contradiction?.
It refers to what you said: that India must be ‘elevated’ to the UNSC in order for it to solve the problems in its neighbourhood. That’s a misunderstanding of geopolitics. Going by that logic, the Central African Republic deserves to be in the UNSC, because it is completely surrounded by failing/failed states!
India can best secure its claim to the UNSC when it acts like one of the UNSC members even before they admit it to the club. Such a policy has merit in itself—for securing its neighbourhood is in India’s interests, whether or not it gets admittance to a closed club.
Vikram
Nov 4th, 2007 at 11:34 am | #
What you said def. makes sense. But dont you think if at all India interfered in Pakistan’s internal affairs, wouldnt there be a huge cry from the militia and the Bourgeoisie on interference based on hidden agendas. If at all India planned to intervene as a UN representative, it would play a whole lot differently on the pshcy.
If I am not wrong countries like Libya, Congo and Burkina Faso have made significant contributions on being chosen to represent their particular regions. Of coures Rep of Congo is not an apt example