Trump’s F-35 to India More About US Influence and Modi’s Fear Than Indian Need

On the great chessboard of international diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to sell F-35 fighter planes to India stands as a strategic move maybe inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim to deepen relations with the United States. Examining more feasible alternatives that fit India’s indigenous development goals and regional security needs, this article explores the several ramifications of such a deal, stressing the significant financial load of the F-35s, and questions their necessity for India’s defense strategy.

We are one country By Justice Katju

Justice Markandey Katju envisions a future where India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh reunite as one nation, emphasizing their shared culture, history, and language. He argues that Hindustani, spoken widely across the subcontinent, unites these regions culturally. Katju views the 1947 Partition as a tragic British conspiracy exploiting the divisive two-nation theory, with Gandhi and Jinnah as unwitting agents. Highlighting Mughal Emperor Akbar as the true unifier of the Indian subcontinent, he critiques Partition’s lasting impact. Katju advocates for reconciliation and secular leadership to achieve reunification, urging citizens to embrace their shared identity and reject hostility towards their neighbors.

Akbar Ahmed’s ‘intellectualism’ By Justice Katju

Akbar Ahmed is a former Pakistani diplomat, having served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK. After retirement he joined academia, and is presently Professor of International Relations at the American University, School of International Service, Washington DC. He had earlier taught in Princeton University and has held several academic posts

Have ‘achche din’ come in Pakistan ?

But there are 435 members in the US House of Representatives and 100 in the Senate, making a total of 535 Congressmen. 60 of 535 is only a little over 10%. What effect can they have on US policy ? Moreover, Biden is only a lame duck President

Pakistan’s Enabling Act

This reminds one of the Enabling Act passed by the German Reichstag on  23rd March 1933, which enabled Hitler, who had become Chancellor of Germany on 30th January 1933, to pass decrees inconsistent with the Weimar Constitution, and this was used by Hitler to impose a fascist dictatorship in Germany.

What is happening in Pakistan ?

However, the situation has changed with the emergence of China as a super power in the world. Now China has penetrated deeply into the Pakistan economy, and the US government must be very worried that the Chinese may soon penetrate into the political echelons of power in Pakistan too, which though still under US grip till today, may not so remain if the Chinese presence in Pakistan keeps expanding. 

Why I am an optimist about the situation in Pakistan

In Pakistan the real rulers are the army. After the events of 9th May, 2023 ( which many people say were stage managed ), a fascist reign of terror was unleashed by the Pakistan army, and about 14,000 people arrested on trumped up and concocted charges, many beaten and tortured, and then incarcerated in jail where they are still living in inhuman conditions. Some have even ‘disappeared’. The judiciary, headed by that shameless, sold out, toady of the Pakistan Establishment, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, has become totally servile, and does nothing to protect the liberties of the people, which was its solemn Constitutional duty, and the media has been largely silenced.

Long live the lawyers of Pakistan ! By Justice Katju

Being basically a lawyer myself ( I became a Judge much later, and have at heart always remained a lawyer ), I was heartened to see on youtube my Pakistani professional colleagues rise to the occasion, and challenge that sold out, shameless, unabashed and unprincipled toady of the Pakistan Establishment, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, whom I have compared to the ‘hanging judge’ Judge Jeffreys of England, who was a henchman of the tyrant King James II, and the Nazi Judge Roland Freisler who got opponents of Hitler hanged on a piano wire.