Recently the US embassy in Islamabad went on a social media overdrive. In a series of tweets over three days, they highlighted the US ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome’s 2-4 October visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This was the second high-profile visit by any U.S. official since April. Despite knowing the sensitivities associated with PoK, Blome not only visited PoK but also kept calling it Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The controversy had not even died down when German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock added fuel to the fire by uttering — Germany has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation of Kashmir.
The $450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment program for Pakistan, as well as these utterances by various U.S. and Western officials, are not just plain provocations but a well-thought-out strategy to keep India off balance.
There is an anti-India pattern emerging. My (@InsightGL) in-depth analysis exploring the topic:
ST UnWoke! 
Thanks again, Commander.
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Thanks, ST.
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Great article! It does seem weird that the US doesn’t pay more attention. China isn’t ignoring India, after all.
Oh wait I reckon I just answered my own question. The Bidens are in thrall to China. And the Left loves ‘em too, cuz they’re communist. (Sorry , “socialist”, as we must call the communists until they complete their rise to world tyranny. After that it won’t matter what we call them: they’ll just erase us if they don’t like our language. )
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Thank you so much, Hypatia.
The United States and India are two countries that get bad press around the year. As if every evil thing happening across the globe is the American handiwork. In India, genocide is underway, and minorities are being lynched on the streets. The funny thing is that every individual given a chance still wants to go to the US, and the minorities (read Muslims) population in India has ballooned from 9.5% in 1950 to 14% in 2020. Unfortunately, just like in the US, in India, many forces act against the national interest. We have to work towards common goals despite them.
I somehow feel that India and the US have a shared destiny.
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In hushed whispers it is said the Chinese ended the actor Richard Gere’s career after his “free Tibet” comment at the Oscars (or some major and televised awards show) way back when.
The West needs to wake up and jump in bed with India at the same time.
Finally, please do not allow military-to-military Theater Security Cooperation activities such as Exercise SHATRUJEET to be shut down by the US State Department.
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Whatever SHATRUJEET is, I’m endorsing it on your say-so, Simon!
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Where is d’Nanda when I need her?
Cdr?
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Hyp, SHATRUJEET is a combined joint exercise involving all branches of the military from the US, India, and at least 3 partner nations. It’s one of ST’s projects – like the MELDEP program in Mongolia. (See ‘Winning the Peace” while we’re at it.) All designed to develop/maintain skills and keep the point of the spear sharp. The Commander could certainly add more – and let us know if it’s currently running.
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Hi, D’Nanda; lovely to connect after a long time. Plenty of bilateral exercises are happening between India, the US, Japan, Australia, France & the UK. It was going great; I suppose it will be good in the future too.
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Many thanks, Commander and friend. It’s lovely to be back. Hoping you had a wonderful Divali!
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Indeed, D’Nanda, I had a wonderful Diwali. Thank you so much. It’s so lovely to have you back.
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It’s wonderful to be back, Commander. This is where the action is. 🙂
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That’s true😁
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Thnx u D’
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My pleasure, ST!
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As ever, Commander and friend, an informative and balanced assessment of the current state of affairs; I have to say that the situation you’ve detailed for your readers is infuriating! I’m hoping that upcoming midterm elections in the US can help in restoring a valuable strategic partnership that seems quite frayed. Thank you for posting this here for us!
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