All I can tell you is that at this moment most Indians are miffed. US credibility is down to the dumps and bigtime.
So you discount the contention that the limited quantities of F-16's provided are for continuing operations against the Talaban and Al-Queda forces hidden in the mountains? (which, by the way, have been very effective at pin-point accurate attacks.) Or that the assumption that these aircraft would be deployed against India would require the Pac's to be suicidal? If both sides have nukes, and the means of delivering them already, how do aircraft make this situation more deadly?
I'm just asking the question. I believe the Administration is trying to develop a new strategy in the region that incorporates all who share the same interests. I think it's more productive for India and Pakistan to join in the common defense rather than either side expecting the U.S. to favor one over the other. Wouldn't you agree?
I would think the interest for India would be to help Pakistan and Musarrif(sp) shed the radicalism of the past and continue to democratize as India has shown so well. Just my opinion.
And rightly so. Pakistan has no business with the F16 technology. But beyond that, India should realize a plane without spare parts will soon become a grounded monument, and a plane without a properly trained pilot is soon to become an oversized lawn dart..
This is global strategy; it breaks down to checking the real monster... CHINA. Don't forget what they (Chicoms) said a couple weeks ago about Taiwan see [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1516755,00.html ]. Paki's are 'tough' and threatening versus the vegan 'outsourcing' Indians. This is a tough game, but Bush decided the complaints from the Indians are less then the heat he wants to put on the Chicoms.
I agree with you. I think that the US has managed to poke itself in the eye again with respect to India. While reading the article though, I couldn't help but notice that it was essentially dripping with anti-American sentiment.
"suck up to the us, desperately crave its goodwill, allow its odious conversion machine to dictate terms to you, and get slapped on the face"
"If they choose to be charmed by the Americans, then India might as well say goodbye to its sovereign identity"
Also, the articles final sentence (before the "hot dog" statement) ended with the words "American Empire". I know that India is not happy about the F-16 deal, but the article's author sounds like any anti-American liberal, trying to whip up hatred of the US. Obviously, his negative sentiments towards the US run deeper than what could have been caused by the sale of F-16s to Pakistan. Do you think that the majority if Indians hold the author's views?
On a lighter note, I just have to ask...what is an "odious conversion machine"?
Big deal. Most Americans aren't really happy with India either. Maybe you guys should try winning us over rather than expecting us to win you over.
Perhaps they should protest by refusing to accept further outsourcing as well as surrendering those 7-11 franchises. :-)
We cannot play both sides against the middle and expect either country to have respect for us.
India is a constantly growing nation on the world stage.They are and can be a good friend of the US.Dumb move on our part.