The government of India has directed the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to cancel the scheduled cricket series with Pakistan, following the 26/11 terrorist’s attack on Bombay. ‘We the people’ of India understand that decision considering the security conditions in Pakistan. Obviously Imran Khan, the former captain of Pakistan Cricket team, does not understand the gravity of the situation and the state of Indo-Pak relations. Imran is trying to peddle the discredited political line of Pakistan, “give us the evidence and we will take action”. Unfortunately, no one is buying this argument anywhere around the world. Pakistan and its people are the only species on this earth who have any faith in statements coming out of their government!
Listen to Imran Khan in conversation with Fareed Zakaria on GPS (Global Public Square) on CNN. He and the likes of him look and sound pretty normal and articulate discussing their country quite candidly. But then just mention the word ‘India’ and they all (without exception) loose their marbles. They stop using their head and rattle off their deep-ingrained hatred for India. It is absolutely fascinating to watch a Pakistani talk about India. The most sophisticated class in Pakistan talks like idiots. The amazing part is that they all know in their hearts that what ever they say about India and Indians is not correct. Then why do they go through it? Probably it is their inferiority complex. They would rather go to the United States with a ‘tin cup’ every few years than accept financial help from India. This is beyond me!
What Mexico is to the United States, Pakistan is to India! Mexico has no love lost for America. Similarly, Pakistan would have to learn to live with India. If not, then Pakistan would split into 3 or more states. It is a matter of time before NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) secedes from Pakistan. Only India could have helped Pakistan maintain its national integrity. Why would India do that? It is in India’s national interest to see a stable and financially viable Pakistan. Imran talks about Joe Biden’s proposal to give $1.5 billion a year civilian aid to Pakistan. What he fails to mention is the price that America would extract in return! On the other hand, India could provide $2 billion a year aid to Pakistan without batting an eyelid. Besides, India could provide $100 billion bilateral trade to Pakistan latest by 2020.
Pakistan is playing a very dangerous game with India. I hope there is a section of opinion in Pakistan that understands the consequences of their actions! If Pakistan feels secure and a match for India with their 60 nuclear weapons, I have some bad news for them. India considers Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal as old ‘Diwali Ke Patake’, never to be actually used. On the flip side, India is a $1 trillion economy growing at 7% a year. There are 20 million Indians living overseas with an estimated wealth that is twice the size of Pakistan’s total economy. There are close to 3 million non-resident Indians in the United States of America with totally disproportionate influence on American administration. India and Indians overseas could choke Pakistan diplomatically and financially. Pakistan needs to THINK about it!
Imran Khan Speaks With Fareed Zakaria(CNN)
Filed under: Cricket, Indo-Pak relations Tagged: | 'Diwali Ke Patake', 'We the people' of India, 20 million Indians living overseas, 26/11 terrorist's attack on Bombay, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), civilian aid to Pakistan, cricket series with Pakistan, Fareed Zakaria, former captain of Pakistan Cricket team, GPS (Global Public Square), Imran Khan, Indo-Pak relations, Joe Biden's proposal, NWFP (North-West Frontier Province), security conditions in Pakistan, The government of India
