Robert Blackwill: Pakistan has chosen to embrace terror, but should do so without US aid
Pakistan wants to have responsible authority over its nuclear stockpile. US and India need to worry about the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the near future.
By Ashoke Nag, ET Bureau | Updated:
KOLKATA: Pakistani army and the US have incompatible objectives regarding the war in Afghanistan, which, in turn, is thwarting the repair of US-Pak relations. This was stated by former US ambassador Robert Blackwill to India at an interactive session on 'United States and the Future of Pakistan' recently staged in the city by Aspen Institute India.
"US seeks to leave behind a united, capable, stable and independent Afghanistan. Pakistan wants an Afghanistan which is stable, but dependent on Pakistan. Pakistan has chosen to embrace terror, but should do so without US aid," Mr Blackwill said.
According to Blackwill, US and India have an overriding national interest vis-à-vis Pakistan. "Pakistan wants to have responsible authority over its nuclear stockpile. US and India need to worry about the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the near future. Pakistan is showing alarming signs of internal disintegration and remains in near perpetual economic trauma despite historic international aid. Paradigm shifts are needed in Pakistan. The Pakistan army has to reduce its strategic preoccupation with India as 'the threat' and deal with internal security issues. Also, Pakistan civil society will need to defeat radical fundamentalist forces. These paradigm shifts are hard to come by," Blackwill felt.
Incidentally, Aspen India and the Council on Foreign Relations has jointly drafted a report in early 2011, titled "The United States and India: A Shared Strategic Future", which was co-chaired by ex-Indian ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra and former US ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill.
"US seeks to leave behind a united, capable, stable and independent Afghanistan. Pakistan wants an Afghanistan which is stable, but dependent on Pakistan. Pakistan has chosen to embrace terror, but should do so without US aid," Mr Blackwill said.
According to Blackwill, US and India have an overriding national interest vis-à-vis Pakistan. "Pakistan wants to have responsible authority over its nuclear stockpile. US and India need to worry about the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the near future. Pakistan is showing alarming signs of internal disintegration and remains in near perpetual economic trauma despite historic international aid. Paradigm shifts are needed in Pakistan. The Pakistan army has to reduce its strategic preoccupation with India as 'the threat' and deal with internal security issues. Also, Pakistan civil society will need to defeat radical fundamentalist forces. These paradigm shifts are hard to come by," Blackwill felt.
Incidentally, Aspen India and the Council on Foreign Relations has jointly drafted a report in early 2011, titled "The United States and India: A Shared Strategic Future", which was co-chaired by ex-Indian ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra and former US ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill.
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