The latest pronouncement by Washington that Pakistan is a ‘very stalwart ally’ of the US in its global war against terrorism is yet another instance of close US-Pakistan ties in the present world order, where old dynamics have ceased to operate. The US stand towards Pakistan does not seem to have changed at all, though it certainly looked like doing so after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Pentagon. A striking development in the present scenario is the helplessness of the US in taming Pakistan, even if it so desires, which exposes the limitations of US foreign policy, despite being the undisputed superpower.

     Like his father, the current US President has also refused to declare Pakistan a ‘terrorist state’. This is, of course, not to suggest that official castigation and branding of the country would have discouraged Pakistan from abetting cross-border terrorism. Nevertheless, such a step would have clearly indicated that Pakistan’s mischiefs are not going unnoticed and unpunished by its long-term beneficiary, the United States.

     At the moment, like on several occasions in the past, Pakistan needs to fan anti-India sentiments for its own survival. Washington however, is apparently oblivious of Pakistan’s intentions. It is overlooking tangible evidence like opening up of five more terrorist camps and two more infiltration routes into India. It was widely believed that the 9/11 crises would establish India’s concerns over terrorism to the US, while at the same time exposing Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism. Though the initial months after 9/11 saw President Bush coming down relatively hard on Pakistan, his Address of January 2002 was silent about Pakistan’s role in the engineering of the conspiracy. While the ‘axis of evil’ was specifically named, the Address preferred to remain conspicuously quiet over Pakistan. Subsequently, the US stepped up economic aid to Pakistan in support of General Musharraf’s promise of reforming the nation. Cross-border terrorism however has shown little signs of reducing and it is difficult to believe that the US cannot see through General Musharraf’s doublespeak.

     It is also worth mentioning that Pakistan’s refusal to hand over the main accused of the Daniel Pearl murder case to the US was also accepted by President Bush without much noise. Instead of taking steps for containing Pakistan, when border tensions peaked in May 2002, Washington issued travel advisories to its citizens, both in India and Pakistan, thereby holding both equally responsible for the crisis in the region.

     The US needs Pakistan in carrying forward its global initiative against terrorism, particularly for extracting Talibans who have taken refuge in the tribal areas of Pakistan. The support of the Pakistani government is essential in this regard. It is interesting to observe that Pakistan never loses its significance in global politics. It, arguably, knows how to keep its value intact, irrespective of a staggering domestic economy and a religiously fragmented society.

     Cold War dynamics had helped Pakistan in emerging as a ‘frontline state’ of the US in its struggle against Communism. It has once again become the ‘stalwart ally. However, Washington tends to overlook (or perhaps tries to make it work to its benefit) the fact that Pakistan has always aligned with the US not out of its commitment to the great power game, or its reservation against ‘Communism’ then and ‘terrorism’ now, but because of the ‘India’ factor, which looms large in the Pakistani psyche. Earlier, Pakistan had joined the SEATO and other similar pacts presuming that the coalitions would shield it not against Communism, but India.

     There is much more to the US-Pakistan relationship than what meets the eye. Many predict that Washington realizes that India is its long-term ally and Pakistan only a short-term friend. But reality seems to suggest something different. It is high time that India stops looking at Washington for support against Pakistan. History indicates that Pakistan will continue to be ‘engaged’ by Washington for some threat or other. There is an equally strong likelihood of Washington ‘engaging’ India too because of the latter’s nuclear capabilities and commendable economic progress. India should take full advantage of this. It can ‘engage’ Washington by baiting its lucrative economy. Simultaneously, it can go whole hog against Pakistan, diplomatically and otherwise. If the might of the Chinese economy can force Washington to ignore human rights violations in China, the Indian economy can at least wean away Washington from one of its closest allies.