Support for India is building up in Congress. After the successful visit of Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister to Washington a US senator of the Republican party Ted Poe has asked the US government to declare Pakistan, a state sponsor of terrorism.
In addition to this, last week, a bipartisan bill was tabled in the House by Democratic Congressman Rick Nolan and Republican Ted Poe asking the state Department to revoke the special status of Pakistan as a non-NATO ally. These are significant developments from India's point of view.
With Donald Trump the first president to declare in a Joint Statement that Pakistan should not to allow the use of its territory for terror attacks, the pendulum has swung in favor of India.
In a speech on the floor of the House, the Senator asked the Trump administration to cut off military aid to Pakistan and at the same time declare it as a" state sponsor of terrorism." The Times of India has reported this news.
Senator Poe slams Pakistan
The Senator has been quoted as having said on the floor of the House: "Quit giving them military aid. Stop giving them money. Designate them as a state sponsor of terrorism, and remove Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally to the US".
The senator pointed out that Pakistan must be held accountable for stating one thing and doing another. Poe asserted that since 1990 Pakistan terrorist groups like the Lashkar- e-Toiba and others are carrying out acts of terrorism in Kashmir.
The senator has also alleged that Pakistan is carrying out terrorist activity in Afghanistan and trying to destabilize the Afghan government.
Pakistan is playing the United States.
— Ted Poe (@JudgeTedPoe) June 26, 2017
➡Cut funding
➡Label State Sponsor of Terrorism
➡Revoke MNNA Statushttps://t.co/L7qwLQjGd9
State Department acts
Recently, just before Modi-Trump discussion was to start the State Department designated the Hizbul Mujahedin Chief Salahuddin as an "International Terrorist." This was on June 25, 2017.
Pakistan has protested this designation.
A parallel bipartisan bill has been moved by two senators who have asked that the MNNA (Major Non-NATO Ally) status which was conferred on Pakistan in 2004 by George Bush be revoked. The bill was moved in the House of Representatives.
Future
Modi will be happy at these developments. It remains to be seen how permanent they remain.
There is little doubt that the USA and India will carry forward the legacy of Obama, who had a close rapport with Modi.There is no choice as India is a power in Asia and the only counterpoise to China.
Modi has invited Trump and his family to India. The Hindustan Times has reported that this fall the daughter of Trump, Ivanka has accepted an invitation to travel to India for an entrepreneurship summit. Modi has said that he will welcome her.
