STUMPED BY TRUMP

India, like many other countries, is still trying to make sense of the mercurial US president. But the ongoing geopolitical upheavals indicate that New Delhi might have to recalibrate its foreign policy options after a decade of pronounced pro-US shift

- BY SANJIB KR BARUAH

The first course featured a delicate goat cheese gateau. The highlight of the main course was a rack of spring lamb. The dessert on offer was a nectarine tart with creamy ice cream. The White House luncheon on June 18 was as lavish as any state banquet. But for the two men seated across the table, the menu may have been the least memorable part of the afternoon.

The guest was Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief. The host, President Donald Trump, was savouring a carefully staged diplomatic play. Quietly, Munir may have let himself indulge in a bit of smug self-satisfaction. After more than a decade in Washington's cold storage, Pakistan was being welcomed back into the fold. The high-profile visit was a victory for Munir at home as well, burnishing his image after the four-day military face-off with India in May. His message of defiance against New Delhi had played well domestically. A White House reception was the cherry on top.

Still, there were concerns. What would China make of this sudden thaw between Islamabad and Washington? Pakistan's military performance against India in May was bolstered by Chinese military hardware, including JF-17 and J-10 fighter jets, PL-15 missiles, Wing Loong drones, HQ-9 air defence systems, and even INDIA, US & THE WORLD near real-time battlefield intelligence. For years, Beijing had been Pakistan’s principal defence partner.

A senior Indian military official told THE WEEK, “At least 80 per cent of Pakistan’s war effort against India in the recent conflict can be attributed to China. For weapons and equipment, Pakistan has become truly and totally dependent on China. After all, who will be supplying the spare parts for the war platforms, the ammunition and the missiles in the times to come?”