WASHINGTON: South Asia will present a serious challenge to American diplomacy in the years ahead, a Congressional Sub-Committee reported today [Aug 4]. In a report, Chairman Lee H. Hamilton … said strong forces are pressing the US to “disengage from the enormous problems … of the frightfully poor countries of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka”. The Sub-Committee on Near East and South Asia … [h]e said … believes that the national interest of the US will best be served if the US remains concerned with stability and development of the South Asian nations and exerts … good sense in seeking mature relationship with them. …
The Defence Department said it is cautiously optimistic that after … open warfare between India and Pakistan, discussions between the two … will bear fruit on a peaceful solution… . The issues include the future of Kashmir and the state of 90,000 Pakistan prisoners of war in Indian prison camps. The Defence Department appraisal … declared that India’s military establishment, with the largest Army in the non-Communist world, is capable of … defence against any attack … China might be able to launch. — News agencies
Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2023
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