F-16s and pipelines<\/p>\n
Condoleezza Rice is employing a characteristic carrot-and-
\nstick policy with New Delhi. First, she dangles the bait of
\nsupplying F-16s as well as joint production of the fighter jet.
\nThe next moment Rice makes disapproving noises on the proposed
\nIndia-Iran gas pipeline.<\/p>\n
Indeed it is a win-win situation for the U.S. If the F-16 deal
\ncomes through then the U.S. defense industry would receive a
\nmuch-needed boost.<\/p>\n
Next, if the U.S. manages to scuttle the Iran pipeline, then
\nTehran remains economically isolated and India's energy
\nrequirements remain unmet. Rice has offered to compensate India
\nby providing American technology for nuclear power. But this
\nwould ensure that India is dependent on US's whims and fancies.<\/p>\n
New Delhi needs to respond to Washington's realpolitik
\nunambiguously: We must look to our interests first. And that
\nentails going ahead with the Iran pipeline, which represents a
\nhost of advantages for India, even if it means losing out on
\nfancy toys like the F-16s.
\n-- The Times of India, New Delhi<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/f-16s-and-pipelines-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}