Another barbaric heinous attack in Kabul by the militants needs to be condemned by the civilized nations.  It is disgraceful what these non-state actors with the help of Pakistani government do to the innocent civilians.  They have no respect, love and affection for humanity.  Killing one human being is more than many, but these fanatics kill thousands and thousands without any remorse at all.  India has graciously offered its assistance to the Afghan government at this juncture of grief.  Looking from a security standpoint, I am puzzled that the US government has been training the local Afghan forces to protect themselves from these types of attacks for the last 15 years, and still these Afghans are not capable of defending themselves.  I am wondering how long it will take before they stop relying on external forces for self-defense.  I also wonder if it is due to lack of interest in  being trained to defend themselves or is there something wrong with the training modes or is it something religious or may be it is relating to politics?  I do not know the answer, but it is worth probing.

Both parties - Republican and Democrats - are in a handicapped situation.  Republicans do not have the votes required to pass the budget and democrats' hands are tied behind their back by the pressure from the lobbying of activists of illegal aliens.  In order to over this on-going budgetary tug-of-war, Republicans should give assurance to the democrats that all immigration and security issues will be discussed including some type of way for the 'dreamers' to stay in the United States as soon as budget is passed for the full year.  Those dreamers can stay in the United states who have no criminal record against them, know English language, have paid their taxes etc.  This stay is subject to compliance of all these requirements and will be under the radar for let's say 10 years from the date of this notification and approval of a legislation, failing which they will be deported.  As far as security issue is concerned, as the President said, this country will have wall/fence etc. on the southern border fully funded by the legislative authorities along with eliminating lottery system and chain migration.

Pakistani government has banned 72 militant groups in Pakistan and also announced to freeze their assets along with a punishable offence to contribute any financial contribution to their charities.  They may have done it fearing retribution from the US government.  Whatever the triggering factor may be, at least it is a step in the right direction.  However, this announcement sounds incomplete because it does not spell out the punishment if these non-state actors do get involved in their usual nefarious activities which is anti-India slogans, sending their warriors across LoC etc.  Secondly, what about the crimes they have already committed against India?  Would they be punished?  Lastly, is this order permanent to stop any of the terrorist act or is it just a respite to wait for the dust to settle down - USA's pressure?

President Trump has temporarily cut off defense aid to Pakistan because his administration has finally realized a dual face Pakistan has been projected to the USA.  In spite of repeated warnings from this government and the previous US governments, Pakistan has not stopped aiding, abetting and sheltering  non-State militant actors and allowing them to operate from its territory against the US forces and others deployed in Afghanistan.It does not make sense for America to provide this aid to Pakistan which in turn Pakistan uses to have US forces killed in Afghanistan through its proxies of various non-State militant groups.  However, this temporary blockade of aid is only applicable to defense area and not to the civilian sector.  Firstly, even the cut off aid in the defense area is predicated on the behavior of Pakistani government.  It can be lifted if Pakistani government stops aiding, abetting and sheltering the militant groups operating from its territory.  Secondly, to get this aid is not the right of Pakistani government, it is the generosity of the US government to help Pakistan to defray some expenses for the wellness of Pakistan.  Demonstrating in the streets of Pakistan against the cut off of aid with the help of little children, burning flags and implied support of these demonstrations etc. shows ungratefulness, misuse of youths and illiteracy on the part of Pakistan's citizens.  It also shows that Pakistan is used to get freebies from wherever it  can get and may be is not capable of running their country without hand-outs.  Pakistan has been doing it since its birth.  How shameful?  Now, there is a new sheriff in town and Pakistan has to change its tune.  Double-faced dealing will not work.

Pakistan's so-called all-weather friend China is further flexing its tentacles into Pakistan by expanding its territorial ambitions via further development of Gwadar port for deploying its warships. Pakistan has no friends left in the world and, hence, it has no choice but to put all its eggs in one basket - China. This is neither good for Pakistan nor for India. It is bad for Pakistan in the sense that slowly and slowly China is going to occupy Pakistani territory, or should I say a territory of Balochistan occupied by Pakistan. Also, this CPEC investment is a bait which Pakistan has accepted and it will not be possible for Pakistan to repay this high interest rate loan. What it means is that Pakistan eventually has to accept subservience of China. China will dictate Pakistan what to do and what not to do. Chinese culture, language and influence will grow exponentially, and Pakistani Muslims will become second class citizens in their own country. As far as India is concerned, it is not a good news either because by developing gwadar port, China will be able to deploy its war ships closer to the Indian territory and in the event of a war, Indian forces will be more vulnerable to the Chinese attack. The only way to tackle this problem for India is to become more pro-active in helping Balochs to obtain separation from the clutches of Pakistan. Once Balochistan becomes a separate nation again, then Balochs should help India and stop Chinese intrusion and mitigate security concern of India.

Mr. Bajwa's statement is a step in the right direction to ameliorate relations with India.  It definitely proves two things, one being that they never supported this before but now they are yielding to this idea, and secondly, the military establishment of Pakistan has realized that they do not have any other choice but to work towards improving relationship with India to co-exist.  However, in my opinion, this gesture is not enough to achieve this goal.  This objective can be achieved only when they block and eliminate militant activities of the non-state actors in Pakistan, Military shows a sincere effort to stop abetting, financing and encouraging these lawless entities to attack on India through their proxy players across the border.  Actually, these non-state actors ought to be in the jail if they show any kind of anti-India demonstration.

Mr. Abdullah's comments about PoK is shameful, disgusting and disappointing.  It proves an adage 'grapes are sour'.  Three generations of his family ruled J & K and could not find a solution to the PoK riddle which shows lack of vision and governance.  Situation became bad to worse. Instead of pushing forward a genuine cause of India to claim the whole territory of J & K as part of India, his statement is encouraging the claim of an enemy country.  His three generations have been living in India and enjoying the prosperity of India, but has no shame in going against India's legitimate interest of this territorial dispute.  People of Kashmir should keep the inner anti-India sentiments of the Abdullah family in mind and show their rejection at the ballot box in the future elections.