China by flexing its muscles is showing the extent of its frustration about the newly purchased property by the Japanese government.  China sent a few ships with the military might to monitor the territory.  This sounds like a baseless and futile exercise on the part of China.  Japanese now own these islands and it is up to them as to how to manage this newly acquired property and China, accordingly, has no business to enter into the now owned Japanese waters.  Even though the neighboring as well as western countries are trying to convince China to avoid this unnecessary interference and scuffle, but it seems like China is playing deaf and dumb.  It simply evinces China's hegemonic posture in order to quench its thirst for territorial expansion.  Knowing the military might China possesses, the neighboring countries on their own are no match to face China militarily.  Hence, China is so aggressive in its attitude in that part of the world.  Unless China is stopped behaving like this, it can lead to catastrophic situation.  If that happens, one can see that it will flare up to not only the neighboring countries of China, but will engulf adjacent countries into it as well.  The question now in front of rest of the world is to find a solution -military or political - to stop this uncontrollable monster before it is too late.  THE BURDEN IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE USA, EUROPE, SOVIET UNION AND MAY BE INDIA TOO TO INITIATE STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE PEACEFULLY.

The trilateral dialogue being discussed among China, India and Pakistan on the issue of Afghanistan is a step in the right direction to stabilize the region.  However, the way Chinese are investing in Afghanistan needs a detailed scrutiny for various reasons.  Chinese are signing contract with the Afghanistan government for natural resources which they need badly for their economy whereas India is aiding Afghanistan in building roads, hospitals and schools which has very less long term contribution to India's economic growth.  China's investment in the Afghanistan's resources will provide them a strong foothold in that country. After the NATO/USA forces are withdrawn in 2014, India will be left alone to handle its interest in Afghanistan especially after knowing that China has very close military ties with Pakistan.  The roads India is building today will be used by China and Pakistan to serve their interest.  Therefore, even though the arrangement of the trilateral dialogues is a positive step, but it seems that it is part of Chinese long term strategy to encircle India and eventually reduce India's influence in the region.  INDIA NEEDS TO BE PROACTIVE AND VERY VIGILANT WHILE DEALING WITH THE CHINESE.

The agreement or implied understanding formalized between India and China during the visit of Chinese Defense Minister sounds like putting a band aid on a wound which is profusely bleeding. This non-curable wound relates to what happened in 1962. One is not sure about the preamble of this agreement which refers to the intent that India and China will work together to maintain peace in the South Pacific region. What does it actually mean? Does it mean that Indian ONGC can continue to drill in the South China Sea unfettered and its naval forces can move with impunity? Or does it mean that China has become the best friend of India and is willing to show the same type of cooperation and understanding in other regions which are under dispute with China? India ought not to forget that China works on a long range vision and their international policy is predicated on 'pick and chose' basis. China has realized that its relationships with the neighboring countries around the South China Sea are deteriorating, it has become a thorn in the eyes of the USA and the close proximity of India to the USA make China feels segregated. Hence, China is endeavoring to show some friendly gestures to India. But be aware that these maneuvers are like chess-game moves which usually are very opaque. Like in chess-game, unless you are thinking a step ahead of your opponent, you are bound to lose the game. Therefore, India needs to be very vigilant and before getting into any Chinese trap, a thorough probe of Chinese moves is warranted. INDIA SHOULD NOT FORGET WHAT HAPPENED IN 1962 - AN ATTACK BY THE CHINESE FORCES AFTER EMPHASIZING THE SLOGAN OF 'HINDI-CHINI BHAI BHAI

The meeting being arranged between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan is another futile attempt to solve unsolvable issues between India and Pakistan. Ms. Khar, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, states that India should forget terrorism because it is in the past and India should move ahead thinking on the issue of terrorism 'realistically'. I am not sure what 'realistically' here means. Does it mean that India should forget the innocent lives lost in the Mumbai attack or should India not worry about the support of the Pakistani government to the militants in Pakistan who were responsible to plan, arrange, finance and orchestrate the 26/11 attack or should India ignore the inaction of the Pakistani government to bring the known and proven culprits to books. What does it mean - may be Ms. Khar can elaborate on it? Exchange of dialogues is a good way between two parties to resolve their outstanding issues. But the solutions to problems can be found only if there is a sincere seriousness on both sides. Since, for selfish reasons. the militant groups who are controlling the government in Islamabad do not want any improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, how can Ms. Khar or for that matter any other officials come to the negotiating table with 'no authority' to achieve this goal- impossible. All the time, the basic ingredients - authority and seriousness - have been lacking on the part of Pakistani delegation. Hence, no solutions to common problems have been found since 1947. Is it not a waste of time, effort and resources? INDIA OUGHT TO SWITCH GEAR AND CONCENTRATE ON OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUES INSTEAD.

It is true that the Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947.  It is also true that since then lot of summit meetings have taken place to find a viable solution to this riddle, but of no concrete outcome.  One wonders as to how many more efforts have to be made and how many more resources have to be devoted to this convoluted issue.  I compare this issue with what Jews and Palestine people have between themselves - a built-in ill will and hatred for each other- an issue whose roots have been poisoned with a heavy doze of pesticides.  Hence, one ought not to expect any fruitful results from these diplomatic meetings - these meetings are just an eye wash.  I also don't think Pakistan really wants to solve this issue.  Pakistan just wants to keep this issue alive so that a chaotic situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir prevails all the time.  The reason being that, in addition to other headaches in the country, Pakistan is not in a position to manage this additional territory fiscally and militarily.  Pakistan, in 1971, lost half the country, now Bangladesh, it is on the verge of losing Balochistan, Karachi is burning everyday and the whole Panjab situation is beyond government control.  Therefore, in my opinion, further discussion on this topic is a futile exercise and wastage of energy and resources.  However, there are two ways to solve the Kashmir enigma; one both parties accept the LOC as an international border and the other one is with a full fledged war and the winner take all.  INDIAN GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO PUT KASHMIR ISSUE ON THE BACK BURNER.

The Pakistani text books used in the schools of Panjab and Sindh Provinces consist of hatred contents towards non-Muslims - Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.  It is sad to know that the respective governments in these Provinces have no objection to this type of teachings in the schools.  Since there is no voice aired against the syllabus of these books by the leaders in Islamabad, one can conclude that it has their blessings also.  It also shows that the militants and misguided people in Pakistan are running the show and the government at the center is just a puppet government.  Under these circumstances, one cann't expect any secular treatment to non-Muslims in Pakistan.  The moderate and educated community in Pakistan is also mute on this issue.  The only choice the victims have is to either stand up against the wrong propaganda and  ill treatment or go to some other places where they are treated like human beings.  CIVILIZED WORLD NEEDS TO PRESSURE PAKISTAN TO MEND ITS BEHAVIOR SOONER THAN LATER.

This story is another example of how stoop Muslims can go to tarnish the image of non-Muslims in Pakistan.  A teenager non-Muslim girl who is medically declared as incapable of doing such things was charged with a crime of burning the Koran in Pakistan.  She was arrested and put behind bar.  As luck would have it, the cleric who actually placed the Koran pages in the fire to frame this girl and get rid of Christians in his neighborhood was caught doing this heinous act by his friend who came forward and got this mischievous cleric arrested.  First of all, in my opinion, this cleric has no spiritual knowledge of Islam or any other religion.  Islam, like other religions,  teaches love and affection for others.  Those who have even an iota of spiritual background would not dare to do such an act.  This incident also proves that there is something wrong with the criterion of selecting these clerics.  When these clerics themselves are misguided how can one expect them to impart spiritual discourses predicated on true Islam.  Secondly, the world did not hear any voice from the Muslim countries, including Pakistan, against this insane act.  One wonders where are the Mullahs, Imams and the rest of the moderate Muslim community?  Are they playing deaf and dumb?  Their silence on this subject conveys only one message to the civilized society and i.e. that this act has their blessings too.  What a shame?  One also wonders had there been a Muslim girl treated the same way by either Christians, Hindus or Jews priest, what type of hue and cry the whole civilized world would have witnessed - not to talk of destruction of public property.  One can easily conclude that the Muslim community is leading a double-faced life and now it is up to the non-Muslims to act accordingly.  IS THE CIVILIZED NON-MUSLIM WORLD LISTENING?