Mr. Aziz very hesitatingly admitting that Pakistan is 'trying' to sell small arms to the Saudi is a matter which needs little bit probing.  To start with, one wonders what type of state-of-the-art armaments Pakistan is able to manufacture which Saudi will be looking for?  Yes, due to strained relationship between the Saudi and the USA, the former is seeking to purchase military hardware from other sources to be able to compete with its neighbors in case of any eventuality.  As we all know, the immediate security threat to the Saudis is from Iran which is armed to the teeth with its indigenous as well as Russian and Chinese hardware.  Is Mr. Aziz insinuating that the hardware being supplied to the Saudi is competitive to what Iran has in its possession?  Definitely not.  We also know that it is the infusion of cash from the Saudis exchequer which is keeping Pakistan float so far.  With the help of Saudis' fund, Pakistan was able to develop its nuclear technology and possess nuclear arsenal.  Now one wonders If Mr. Aziz's statement has anything to do to pass on some nuclear arsenal to the Saudis to pay off the debt.  Is it possible - may be?  If so, Is Saudi Arabia gearing up to become a nuclear possessed state in the Middle East?  If Pakistan is found to be doing what this writer is assuming, it will definitely strengthen the hands of Iranian government to develop nuclear bomb at the earliest because they will not like to get caught off hand in any military scuffle with the Saudis.  Therefore, before it happens, it is the responsibility of the western nations, especially the USA, to apply pressure on Pakistan not to be conducive in the proliferation of nuclear stuff and stop this supply of arsenal to the Saudis.

The US government is trying to find a country which is willing to take control of used equipment sitting in Afghanistan. Since it will be expensive for them to bring these items back to the USA, it is cost effective for the US to dispose them of in Afghanistan. I have seen and read lot of contradictory statements emanating from the offices of various pentagon officials saying that the US government is intending to hand over these items to the Pakistani government which I don't think is in the interest of India. Before Pakistan grabs this opportunity, I feel that the Indian leaders should pick and chose and get these items exported to India from Afghanistan. I am sure that many of these equipment will carry a state-of-the-art technology which India can use in case of any future scuffle with the neighbors.

I could not agree more what Ambassador Alexander is saying about terrorism being supported, financed and encouraged by Pakistan. I fully agree with his notion to have a united front to confront Pakistan on this topic. Terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan is not only conducive to chaotic situation in Afghanistan, it is being exported to other countries where radical Muslims are playing a major role in creating a turmoil for innocent civilians. Every day, hundreds of innocent lives are being lost due to terrorism. Everybody knows that the civilian government in Islamabad is incapable of handling the radical element in Pakistan due to a covert support provided to the so-called non-state actors by the nexus of ISI/military. Unless a leader with a strong spine is put on the Islamabad throne, the activities of this nexus can't be over-powered, which means that this problem is going to remain with us. The only way to eradicate or reduce terrorism from the face of this earth is to either openly attack Pakistan and get rid of these so-called non-state actors and streamline the organizational chart of Pakistani government or just to isolate Pakistan altogether from the world forum. In either case, it needs a solid joint united front to initiate this action. The longer the western nations delay this decision, higher the price this civilized society will pay on a global basis.

By exchanging dialogues with other nations - NATO and non-NATO, the US government is trying to drum up support against Russia for its isolation.  One wonders if this attempt of isolating Russia is a seriously thought-out foreign policy or just a face saving attempt on the part of the US government.  Yes, it is unfortunate what has happened in Ukraine, but by levying sanctions against Russia and isolating it will have lot of global economic drawbacks.  Lot of global corporations have investment, business dealings, contractual agreements and financial arrangement with the Russian corporations and its banks.  Just imagine, if all these transactions came to a grinding halt.  One can easily visualize the magnitude of unemployment, unrest and civil commotion across all nations.  Is that what the State Government is looking and waiting for?  Based on a sour Sino-USA relationship, this writer wonders as to how can USA expect China to go against Russia especially when there is no love lost between these two countries?  On the same footing, one should not ignore the flow of cold vibes generated by the diplomatic hassle in New York between India and USA either.  Also, the proximity of Russia to China and India and their inter-business dealings will prohibit them to vote openly against Russia.  Reviewing the overall scenario, it appears the aftermath of US government's attempt to isolate Russia will have more global negative impact.

It is very encouraging  to see Mr. Rouhani of Iran visiting Afghanistan with the intention to improve relationship with the latter by accelerating business and cultural relationships.  It is equally important and helpful to note his stand against violence and extremism in the region.  His efforts to build healthy relationship between these two countries should be conducive for the peace to prevail in that part of the world especially when the US and NATO forces leave Afghanistan.  It is an opportune time for Pakistan also to encourage these type of visits and efforts to reconcile its relationship with the neighbors viz-a-viz India and Afghanistan.  One should not underestimate the magnitude of turmoil one may see emanating from the quarters of outlaw non-state militant actors after the US and NATO forces leave Afghanistan.  If Afghanistan, Iran, India and Pakistan have sincere and honest good working business relationship, the joint forces of these nations will be capable of thwarting any threat coming from the militant groups.  Hence, there will be a long lasting peace in the region.  CAN PAKISTAN THINK ON THESE LINES AND FORGET ITS MYOPIC FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS INDIA?

The Pakistani government has postponed an idea of declaring India as the most-favored-nation as far as its economic and business relationship with India is concerned.  It has been done on the pretext of impending Lok Sabha election next month.  But this should not surprise the Indian leadership in New Delhi.  This topic has surfaced many a times in the past also with no fruitful results.  The basic cause of this failure on the part of Pakistani government is the pressure mounted on Islamabad by the nexus of ISI/Military as well the unlawful non-state militant actors in Pakistan.  It is true that healthy business relationship between countries brings prosperity for the people of those nations.  However, it is also true to allocate resources towards achieving this goal without understanding the crux of the problem is a waste of time, energy and resources.  We all know that the civilian government in Islamabad, even though democratically elected, has no say in making foreign policy decisions towards India without a nod emanating from the nexus of ISI/Military/militant non-state actors in Pakistan.  Yes, Mr. Sharif made lot of promises during his election campaign to improve relations with India, but he underestimated the pressure which the above nexus can thrust upon him to defeat his objective.  One hoped that Mr. Sharif, while making those wild promises during his election campaign, had  learnt some lessons from his failed policies of 1999 viz-a-viz dealing with the above nexus.  Unfortunately, not.  The nexus is still powerful and running the show in Pakistan.  In my opinion, India should not hold its breath and continue on the path of progress while opening up the markets to the whole world, bring new technology, improving educational standards, exploring new fields of energy and most importantly keep the basic needs of people at affordable prices.  NOT GETTING A MOST FAVORED NATION DECLARATION IS A LOSS TO PAKISTAN AND NOT TO INDIA.

Dharam Bahl (USA) 22 hrs ago

Mr. Yi's comments are very contradictory as far as occupation of other's territory is concerned. Mr. Yi's assertion that Japan has been occupying Senkaku island illegally and his government will do everything to extricate it from the Japanese clutches. He also seems to abhor anyone to occupy other's land. China's recent veiled comments about Russia being in Crimea ( part of Ukrain) is a live example. However, Mr. Yi's government has been occupying thousands of miles of an Indian territory in the north since 1962, his government violated the sovereignty of Tibet and has taken over the whole country since 1959, and also the daily encroachment in the Arunachal Pradesh (part of India) of Chinese soldiers is of no less significance. These are just a few contradictory examples which do not run parallel to what Mr. Yi is attributing in this article. Ironically, Mr. Yi also is insinuating that China wants to de-nuclearize that part of the world whereas his government is extending all sorts of financial assistance to North Korea to develop nuclear weapons. He also talks about 'no confrontation' model of relationship with his neighbors to have a 'win-win' situation whereas his comments to extricate the Island from under Japanese authorities with all Chinese might insinuate something else, and he further says that there is no compromise on this issue - how ironical it is? So the question now in front of the whole world is how to read the mind and acts of Chinese authorities as far as their occupation of others' territory is concerned. This writer has been left with no other conclusion than to say that China picks and choses what is suiting their needs first irrespective of what the whole world thinks and says. Having 'no confrontation', 'win-win' situation, as well as non-occupation of 'others' territory are just the political slogans to fool the world. THE BALL IS IN THE COURT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM TO JUDGE THE SINCERITY OF CHINESE DESIGNS.