People's Democracy

THE US intent of fighting a "global war" against terrorism was seen by the Vajpayee dispensation as an opportunity that it should not fail to utilise. The reasons were not far to seek. Firstly, the BJP saw in the launching of this war an opportunity that it had all along been seeking ever since it came to power, the status of a junior partner of the United States in the South Asian region. It had to however, vie with Pakistan for this position. Secondly, it presumed that such a status could be used against Pakistan which it has for long been pleading should be declared a "terrorist sponsoring state".

The Vajpayee government’s unconditional and unsolicited offer of support and facilities was turned down. Instead, as was expected, the United States approached Pakistan. The government of India's position, forcefully put forward by the top leadership including the prime minister, became a subject of ridicule. The BJP leadership was dismayed. It thought it had lost an opportunity to be used against Pakistan, especially in the context of resolving the Kashmir problem. Having failed to succeed in its mission of allying with the US, it now sought the services of the US in resolving the question of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's support to militancy in the Kashmir Valley.

The turning down of the Vajpayee government's offer was natural. It is common knowledge that the US has always supported and relied on Islamic fundamentalism and conservative Muslim regimes in the Arab world and elsewhere, in its anti-Communist crusade. The regimes in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, who also happen to be the two major supporters and backers of the Taliban, are also the USA's long-standing allies. In its blind anti-Pakistanism the BJP government forgot that Pakistan was used by the US as the base in its war against the Soviet forces and the regimes it supported in Afghanistan. Likewise, the reactionary regime in Saudi Arabia has been a staunch US ally despite it playing a major role in supporting and propagating Islamic fundamentalism.

Again, it is this misplaced conception of the BJP-led government that has led it to seek American intervention in Kashmir. After the terrorist attack on the legislature building in Srinagar, prime minister Vajpayee wrote to President Bush seeking his intervention. The Vajpayee government was under the illusion that the US action in Afghanistan and its war against "global terrorism will directly help in curbing terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir.

The USA is trying to use the worldwide denunciation of the terrorist attacks of September 11 to consolidate and expand its global hegemony. The war against "global terrorism" is in fact a ruse to promote its own interests.

The air strikes that have been carried out against Afghanistan in the past few days have resulted in the loss of many lives. As opposed to the specific Taliban military targets that the US is talking about, civilian homes have been bombed and several lives have been lost.

At the same time, while it is necessary that the masterminds behind the attacks in New York and Washington be brought to justice, the course adopted by the US is determined and influenced not merely by its immediate aim. It is determined by its long term goals of establishing control over Afghanistan and gaining access to the oil rich Central Asian republics.

While on the one hand the BJP is trying to appease the US and solicit its support in its war against cross border terrorism, the Hindutva brigade is utilising the rightful indignation created in the wake of the September 11 strikes, to whip up communal passions inside the country. Our own variety of jehadis have only contributed in aiding the Saffron Brigade's campaign against the ordinary Muslims. While the poisonous form of religious fundamentalism advocated by the Taliban and Osama bin Laden cannot be tolerated at any cost, it is unjustified to hold a whole community responsible for the outrage of September 11.

The BJP's aims are also not far to seek. Even while it is denied the role it sought from the US, whipping up a war frenzy with subtle anti-Islam or Muslim connotations, can render it ample help in facing the UP elections. It was waiting for something to happen to whip up communal passions and gain advantage. And it is using this to the hilt. That the BJP is going to play the communal card in the coming months is also evident from the fact that provocative speeches were made at the Agra session of the BJP's youth wing, recently. The fiery rhetoric also propelled them into action -- defacement of the Taj Mahal.

Since the ascendancy of the BJP to power at the centre, a rightward shift in India's foreign policy perceptions has come about. An out and out pro-American policy is being pursued. As has been mentioned earlier, the BJP government is seeking the role of a junior partner from the US for India. This servile attitude was displayed during the visit of President Clinton last year, and the hosts of visits made by the External Affairs minister and other dignitaries to Washington.

But with the US bombing of Afghanistan, the governments in New Delhi and Islamabad are competing with each other to be on the side of the US.

It is well known that the Taliban or for that matter Osama bin Laden are the creations of US foreign policy. Currently, America wants to control Afghanistan as it is strategically located, bordering many countries. The Taliban regime came to power with the backing of the US and Pakistan by dislodging the Najibullah government and mercilessly killing him. At that time, the area north of Kabul remained in the hands of the Northern Alliance.

Afghanistan is not one nationality; it consists of many nationalities, the majority nationality being that of the Pushtoons. The Tajiks, Uzbeks and many other nationalities and ethnic communities and tribals inhabit Afghanistan. Fifteen percent of the area remained in the hands of the Northern Alliance when the new crisis erupted. Now with the growing US attacks, the Northern Alliance is successfully advancing. Mazar-e-Sharief has been captured by them. But this is worrying Pakistan and the US. The US has stated that in a post-Taliban set up it is only the US which should play the guiding role. The US has indicated that it wants to put in place a government that represents all sections of Afghan society.

General Musharraf has taken a big risk, defying the clerics and fundamentalists in Pakistan and has also gone against the opinion of the majority of the Islamic countries. He, however, would like to show to the people of Pakistan that he has gained something in return for the support extended to the US, especially in relation to Kashmir, which it considers as the central issue in Indo-Pak relations. It is understood that the US has made some commitment on Kashmir to the Pakistani establishment. While sounding democratic and saying that it should reflect the people's aspirations, the US in fact wants Kashmir to be made independent. As opposed to this line, the Indian stand has been that Kashmir is an integral part of India

Whereas General Musharraf believes that siding with the US in its war in Afghanistan would see the US backing Pakistan in its claim over Kashmir, the BJP government thinks that by offering unsolicited support it would also be able to do the same. General Musharraf has repeatedly said that supporting the US in its war is in Pakistan's national interest. The repeated pleas made by Vajpayee to the US seeking its help in fighting terrorism in Kashmir is an invitation for US intervention in the Kashmir dispute. This goes against our interests as America considers Kashmir a disputed territory. Moreover, the US would like to impose its own aims of making Kashmir independent.

As if to display its determination the Indian government resorted to firing across the line of control and claims to have destroyed several Pakistani posts. This it said is punitive action for Pakistan's attempts to push in infiltrators. This pro-active approach, if further pursued, will in fact harm India's interests and show it in bad light before international opinion.

It is against this background that Colin Powell embarked upon a tour of Pakistan and India. Reaching Islamabad, he said that he would urge both India and Pakistan to resume their dialogue on Kashmir. He expressed concern that the conflict between the two countries would damage the US-led war on Afghanistan. He made it a point to mention that Pakistan would reap benefits for supporting the US war. We have been repeatedly stating that after placating Pakistan, US imperialism will make more efforts to satisfy Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. It is not accidental that after the visit of Colin Powell to Pakistan and India, the Indian press has characterised Colin Powell as having "Osama" in his mind and J&K on his hands." Powell also added that Kashmir is central to Indo-Pak relations.

Prior to his visit, the US administration in a bid to pacify the Vajpayee government, froze the bank accounts of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and some other organisations. The Jaish had claimed responsibility for the attack on the Srinagar Assembly. Given the fact that the US chose the Pakistani regime as one of its partners for fighting terrorism, even while it was known that many terrorist groups operating in Kashmir are based and backed by Pakistan, it was natural that the US administration would not act in the manner that the Vajpayee government desired.

It is in America's interests to see that the tension between India and Pakistan does not intensify until its objectives in Afghanistan are achieved.

While stating that the war against terrorism also includes terrorism against India, on the question of Kashmir he said that we should move forward on the basis of dialogue, respecting human rights and resolving the matter between India and Pakistan. Not to kept out of the picture, he also added "We will be willing to help". The third party mediation that Prime Minister Vajpayee sought through his letter to President Bush in the wake of the attack on the Srinagar Legislative building, has been agreed to by Powell.

Pakistan is concerned about the post-Taliban arrangement in Afghanistan. They do not want the Northern Alliance to take control. the US wants a pliant administration. It is in this scheme things that arise the efforts to bring back the former King Zahir Shah. The talk of a government that would give representation to the various ethnic and tribal communities of Afghanistan, should be seen in this light. India, on the other hand India would like the Northern Alliance to be strengthened. Ten years back India, Soviet Union and Iran were cooperating in the fight against the Taliban and supporting the Northern Alliance.

The US unilateral war against "global terrorism" and the bombing of Afghanistan show that the US is seeking to further widen its role in the international arena. This is leading to a dangerous situation not only in the subcontinent but also in the entire world.

Along with the efforts to thwart the imperialist game, we have also to keep some long range objectives in mind. For this purpose India should take the lead in restructuring and strengthening the non-aligned movement. This assumes more urgency given the fact that America in a unipolar world seeks to impose its hegemony. The sole super power status of the US must not remain with it for long.

The Bangladesh Finance Minister who within a few days of the new government assuming office, has said that the non-aligned movement's summit level meeting stands cancelled, as the NAM according to him, is a dead horse.

If any country can take the initiative to revive the NAM, it is India. A recognised leader of the NAM in the past, a country with a huge population and given its glorious past of fighting imperialism, the developing countries can be rallied not to allow imperialism to go unchallenged.