Season of Challenges: Pak faces tough diplomatic tests in Oct 2021
The moments of momentary rejoice after Taliban 'win' seemed to be heading for bringing in a worse set of challenges.
In October 2021, it faces three rounds of litmus tests. Let's take it one by one.
Even as Pak's beleaguered Prime Minister, Imran Khan is still awaiting just a tele call from the White House (read President Joe Biden), diplomats in Islamabad have a tough job at hand in dealing with the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman.
She is slated for a two-day Pakistan tour from October 7 after her visits to New Delhi and Mumbai. There has to be some concerted effort in meetings with her to dispel the global notion that authorities in Islamabad have always played double games when it came to the business of war against terror.
Instead, Pakistan has used 'terror' as a ploy either to inflict injuries on India or make money from the western powers and often did end up doing both the things.
Pakistan's position is rather weak today as Joe Biden has so far avoided making a tele call to Imran Khan, who avoided a trip to the US in September for UNGA and instead made his ritualistic speech online.
It's time now, as they put it even on other fronts.
Pakistan is perhaps apprehensive of US sanctions too.
Pakistan will also have to resume its programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the $1 billion Eurobond matures on October 14.
The IMF meetings are likely to be held from October 12 to 17th.
The Pak government may have to float another bond to handle repayment issues.
The IMF has said Pakistan needs to start unwinding the stimulus measures.
Between October 17 and October 22, the meetings of anti-money laundering watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are scheduled and Islamabad's priorities will be to come out of the so-called 'grey list'.
But this is easier said than done.
Pakistan is now under the lens of the terror-funding watchdog FATF largely due to
its own policies and also because New Delhi sustaining the pressure.
On June 25, Pakistan was retained by the FATF on the list of countries under “increased monitoring” as Islamabad failed to prosecute top leadership of the US Security Council designated terror groups.
Pakistan was also handed over a fresh list of ‘six tasks’ related to money laundering and terror funding. Since 2018, New Delhi has pointed out to global players that despite making commitments in international fora, Pakistan establishment has given "freedom and impunity" with which the designated terrorists like Hafiz Saed and entities like Jamaat-Ud-Dawaa, Lashkar-e-Tayabba, Jaish-e-Mohammed continue to operate in Pakistan.
Even some sections of Pakistanis understand the gravity of the situation their country is in.
"The more Pakistan is seen advocating for Afghanistan’s difficulties, the more our destinies will be joined in the eyes of those we are trying to persuade. This outcome must be averted," wrote Pakistani journalist Khurram Husain in 'Dawn'.
Unlike his Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was once called 'Taliban Khan',
Husain also argues that 'collapse of centralised authority' in Afghanistan could result in grave risks for Pakistan.
Modi compliments new Japanese PM amid prospects of strengthening ties
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Oct 4, congratulated Kishida Fumio on being elected by his party as the Prime Minister of Japan.
"I look forward to working with him to further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and advance peace and prosperity in our region and beyond," Mr Modi wrote in a tweet.
Fumio Kishida was elected Japan’s prime minister in a parliamentary vote and is expected to be heading for a national election within next few weeks.
 |
| Quad : Vital in India-Japan ties too |
Of course, in the given situation he is tasked with tackling the pandemic challenge and other domestic and global challenges.
Kishida is generally expected to toe the line of the erstwhile leadership of Shinzo Abe, which was
quite India friendly especially during the stint of Narendra Modi since 2014.
Kishida’s victory, analysts say, is also due to the backing of the conservative wing and those
preferring the policy actions defined by Abe. Kishida has also criticised China’s economic and political
aggression during his time as a candidate and importantly said that he would be working closely with
India and also the likes of the US and Australia and even Europe who "share the same values".
From security perspective, it is arguably stated that Japanese lawmakers from across the political
spectrum and a large section of common citizens have become "increasingly concerned" about China and
its new intent.
Kishida holds the credit of being Japan’s 'longest-serving foreign minister' and thus be brings a wealth of
diplomatic experience into the coveted executive position.
The 64-year-old Kishida has an image as a 'consensus builder' and thus stability and continuity
would remain top focus of his government.
His new cabinet is also "dominated by allies" of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was also
in office for a longer stint than usually happens with the Japanese Prime Ministers.
To Japan, China though is an increasingly assertive neighbor, it is also key economic partner. Japan has lately joined the Quad formation comprising itself, the US, India and Australia. Observers say the new PM Kishida has already signaled to the United States and others that there will be little deviation from the positions staked out by his two immediate predecessors - Shinzo Abe
and Yoshihide Suga.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment