Despite all the talks of cooperation against terror, the US has removed certifiable action against the Lashkar-e-Taiba—responsible for several attacks in India—as a precondition for Pakistan receiving American ‘reimbursements’ for help in the war against terror. Pakistan has been allocated $700 million from America’s $700 billion defence budget as per the US National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) 2018. Fifty per cent of this, however, is subject to the Secretary of Defence certifying that Pakistan is taking adequate action to disrupt the Haqqani network in Pakistan.
While the US Senate Bill had included the LeT along with the Haqqani network, the House version did not. They then agreed that the LeT should dropped from the Bill’s final version, to ensure the Pakistan Army does not have any inhibitions over targeting the Haqqani network. In other words, only terrorists hurting American interests need tackling.
This is a shot in the arm for the Laskhar’s master, Pakistan’s ISI, which can plot more strikes against India without worrying about US sanctions. The case against the LeT leadership for its involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks will gather more dust in the Pakistani courts. India has to quickly formulate its own plans to counter the LeT and other jihadi scum trained by the Pakistanis, without hoping for US support.
In another significant development likely to cause celebrations in Islamabad, a UN General Assembly panel last week unanimously passed a Pakistan-sponsored draft resolution, co-sponsored by 75 nations, reaffirming that the universal realisation of the right of peoples to self-determination was a fundamental human right.
Washington, however, pointed out that the draft resolution contained many misstatements of international law and was inconsistent with current state practice. It is unlikely to be endorsed by the General Assembly next month. But just like American support against terror, New Delhi should not take that as a given, and plan accordingly.