Strategic Dialogue: A one way street

The US-Pak strategic dialogue concluded with a joint statement proclaiming a new day in the relations between the two countries. A photograph of Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Hilary Clinton symbolic of the warming relations after years of mistrust flashed across newspapers around the world.
Outcomes of the two day summit largely played on US interests in the region, to secure a safe exit from Afghanistan. Clearly, expectations were mismatched and it consequently has led to disappointment. The Pakistani delegation submitted a wish list document of 56 pages, hoping that the "strategic" ally would provide definite solutions to its problems.
US officials were careful in not mentioning that Islamabad must do more. Time and again, during the two days, they underscored the realization that this was a dialogue and that no solutions would be guaranteed. Pakistan, was hoping for the strategic component to be the highlight of the dialogue.
A paltry $125 million was promised in the form of energy assistance to develop thermal power. The US is well aware that energy deficits are running upwards of 5000 MW now. On the face of it, the Pakistani people were the focus of this dialogue. Their energy woes were definitely left unanswered. Moreover, this money will be diverted from the Kerry Lugar legislation which certainly cannot be termed a breakthrough or a fresh act of generosity.
Disbursement of the war costs already incurred by the Pakistani Army, were a key point of contention for General Kayani. The payment has been delayed nearly a year now which has limited Pakistans fiscal space. Loose timeframes were mentioned for when the money was going to be released as the audit procedures are said to be causing the bottleneck.
Unsurprisingly, a key outcome was delivery of military equipment that Pakistan had previously requested. Any economic benefits from this transfer are going to accrue to arms companies in the United States. In line with this development, Pakistans Air Chief announced on Saturday that the USA is sending 14 F-16 jets to Pakistan this year, as a gift.
General Kayani reportedly pointed out that his army could do without the equipment. He stressed the need for development of the economy, particularly energy.
It was agreed that broad based sectoral dialogues would be conducted in Islamabad in the near future, to establish problematic areas in the Pakistani economy. According to a commentator, it is truly amazing that the United States is unaware of the countrys stifling crises.
High on the agenda for Pakistan was progress on a civil nuclear program, relations with India and its unsettling presence in Afghanistan. US officials side stepped the nuclear agenda completely. On the issue of India, they held their non-intervention attitude.
Largely, issues addressed in the two day dialogue were centered on interests of the United States. The real and present dangers facing the people and the economy of Pakistan were sparsely addressed. So much for the over-hyped
ew day.

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THE FATE OF THE STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

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Issue                                       Outcome

Military Equipment                     Fast tracked

Monetary aid                 $125 million in Energy

Civil Nuclear                          Side stepped

GSP Plus                      No concrete statement

Water             Postponed until sectoral dialogue

Indian presence in Afghanistan        Not discussed

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Source: BR Research

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