Mubarak Baloch
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the foreign visits fame, has had a long and hectic itinerary for the last couple of weeks. He visited Iran, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Washington. Earlier he had been to UAE and Saudi Arabia as well. His visits by and large are part of attempt to make India look shining both in region and in power corridors in the comity of nations having say in world affairs though the shrinking diversity back in India is certainly telling a different story. His Iran visit was aimed to further bolster India’s commercial ties with Tehran and to inch forward to befriend Afghanistan as well. Hence the troika met sending a message to Pakistan being sidelined. The convergence of interest gathered the troika.
His middle-east Yatra is probably aimed to dilute Pakistan’s influence in Gulf countries. Howsoever, Modi be conferred upon the highest civilian honours in middle-east Pakistan’s relations are deep rooted with Gulf countries as evident from the recent mediatory role Pakistan played in bringing Tehran and Saudi Arabia closer after a serious diplomatic row erupted between them in the wake of execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia. Kalbushan Yadav; a commander rank serving Indian navy officer seized by Pakistan in Balochistan being involved in fomenting unrest in Balochistan and elsewhere in Pakistan, is the factor that has temporarily put a little pall on the mutual relations of Islamabad and Tehran after it was revealed that Yadav was running a jewellery shop in Chabahar’s Abresham Mall as a front office.
Narendra Modi’s three days long Washington visit is seen to be an attempt to further the development made in the wake of President Barack Obama’s January last year visit of India and civil nuclear technology cooperation promised by Washington to New Delhi. Besides, Indian leadership aims to get closer to Washington despite the approaching end of Obama’s tenure as President of America so that the next leadership of America whether from Republican or Democrats may also keep India close. Though it is too early to be more precise as to where India would stand in the foreign policy of next leadership of America. This is Narendra Modi’s fourth visit to America ever since he came in power as prime minister about two years back. During his current visit he called on President Obama, interacted with Indian diaspora and addressed joint session of US Congress. His address carried the usual laudatory words for US as the oldest democracy and its contribution in maintaining global peace. Modi tried to belie the reports on shrinking diversity in India by saying that India’s religious and cultural diversity is vibrant and flourishing. While talking about menace of global terror he said that terrorism is incubated in the neighbourhood of India, clearly implying that Pakistan is the place where terrorists are nurtured. It is the usual attempt of Indian leadership to go on Pakistan bashing spree. Besides, Modi has interacted with Amercia’s business and corporate sector representatives. This is certainly aimed to deepen India’s relations with business community so that its good will may yield the desired harvest when need be as American corporate sector has vibrant say in power corridors.
On the other hand Human Rights Commission of the US Congress already voiced its concern over appalling record of human rights in India particularly persecution of minorities including Muslims, Christians etc. Forced conversion to Hinduism, attacks on worship places of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians and dictating minorities what to eat and what not are not less disturbing, noted Human Rights Commission. Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress has also already held the hearing on human rights issues in India.
Modi’s purpose of visit was to win the support of American leadership in securing membership of NSG (Nuclear Supply Group), a 48 members club including the five nuclear weapon countries US, UK, France, China and Russia. Other 43 members of NSG are signatories to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. India is not signatory to NPT and terms it discriminatory. NSG was formed in 1974 after India carried out nuclear blasts. Prime Minister Modi has already visited Switzerland and Maxico in order to get their support. Prior to formal application for NSG membership on 12 May, India’s journey commenced about a decade back. Its struggle to segregate civil-military nuclear facets and subsequent signing of agreements with US what is called civil-nuclear cooperation in 2005 and also consent to a safeguard agreement with International Atomic Energy Agency are unlikely to make its candidature a feasible case. To secure NSG’s membership complete consensus of all member states is mandatory and securing China’s nod is a Herculean task for India although present American leadership is reportedly also trying to get China to agree. Certainly, John Kerry and few other mid-ranking American officials have reportedly been to Beijing probably to persuade Chinese leadership. The latter has already evinced its interest to allow Pakistan to be member of NSG.
There are, of course; a number of advantages for India after it becomes member of NSG. One, India can block Pakistan from being member of NSG as membership is extended with consensus of all the member states of club. Two, A member state will have access to technology from nuclear power plants to nuclear medicine. Three, While having access to new technology India would be in position to commercialize the nuclear power equipment. Four, By getting membership India would stand exempted from signing Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Whether India would succeed in getting membership of NSG only time will tell. However, predictions seem to be carrying some weight that China is unlikely to stand persuaded to extend its consent. China’s friendly relations with Pakistan apart, Beijing has valid concerns in view of premonitions ahead if India enters the group. Chinese leadership argues that India’s signature on NPT should make it eligible candidate for NSG. Besides, China also appreciates certain equilibrium in the region so that possible fresh wave of tug-of-war between Pakistan and India is avoided. The unpleasant taste if goes worse between New Delhi and Islamabad Chinese stakes in region are unlikely to flourish. China also has concerns with regard to evolving global order and New Delhi’s likely jump into it overshadowing Beijing’s robust regional assertion.
China’s objection ‘that India is non-signatory to NPT’ seems to be holding some water. Though as France entered NSG club despite being non-signatory of NPT and others are Japan, the founding member of NSG, Argentina and Brazil entered NSG afterwards ratified NPT yet China has the right to veto India’s request for its own reasons including its worst human rights record, serious irritants with neighbor countries, meddlesome role in the internal affairs of countries, its recent unwise row with Nepal over constitution making, Modi’s admission with regard to India’s belligerent role in dismembering Pakistan in 1971 and ongoing interference in Balochistan and elsewhere in Pakistan. NSG members’ gathering in Vienna and its plenary meeting in Seoul on June, 20 are seen to be crucial to decide on the India’s bid to join this nuke club in the face of insurmountable stumbling block China has placed ahead.
