The Hindu : dated December 12, 1953: India, Pakistan, and the U.S.

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Friday, Dec 12, 2003

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dated December 12, 1953: India, Pakistan, and the U.S.

Varied comment appeared in the international Press over the prospect of Pakistan's allying itself militarily with the United States, and India's concern over that likely development. The Times of London editorialized, "There are ominous signs of a Press campaign in India against the supposed negotiations between Pakistan and the United States about military aid. It may be that Pakistan is seeking American aid particularly in armour and transport, to make good the shortcomings of which she has long been complaining because of slow delivery from other countries. But this is a slender basis for the concern which both Mr. Nehru and the Congress Working Committee have strongly expressed. The Indian attitude is based partly on fear lest Pakistan become stronger in armaments and oblige India to increase her own defence expenditure to the prejudice of development projects. But a more powerful motive seems to be the belief that any closer tie-up between Pakistan and the U.S. may endanger the neutral stance of the sub-continent — which is the corner-stone of Indian foreign policy, and is the practical expression of a determination to resist revival of Western domination in Asian countries. The power and wealth of the United States and its position as the mainstay of the anti-Communist bloc cause all its moves in Asia to be scrutinized carefully in Delhi, lest Indian interests should become involved in foreign entanglements."

The New York Times said, "That there should be anxiety in India over any proposals to add to the military strength of her closest neighbour is natural. But abundant assurance can be given to India that our military assistance to Pakistan would be for Pakistan's defence needs only."

The Washington Post said, "U.S. military aid to Pakistan might not be wise in view of the unrest its prospect has caused in India. Rumours about proposed American military bases in Pakistan continue to cause tension in the sub-continent. We question whether this sort of American effort would be wise."

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