this month. This is for the first time a Republican administration in Washington has made almost a U-turn from Pakistan. History shows that the Republican Party in the United States somehow or other has favoured Pakistan since Pakistan and India became two states after the partition of British India in 1947. All these years as a matter of fact India either remained non-aligned or titled towards the Soviet Union. With the end of cold war era, China is growing economically and militarily while the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991 and the United States emerged as the only superpower in the world.

Eisenhower administration's tilting towards Pakistan can be seen from the trend of influence of communism in the region. America wanted to contain the sphere of influence of communism. Nehru's non-aligned policy also contributed toward distancing from America. This trend in fact favoured Pakistan to become an ally of the United States by joining South Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). Pakistan's alliance with SEATO and CENTO elevated it to receive US military assistance.

In 1959, bilateral agreement between Pakistan and the United States provided protection umbrella for Pakistan, which stated: "In case of aggression against Pakistan, the government of the United States of America, in accordance with the constitution of the United States of America, will take such appropriate action, including use of armed forces, as may be mutually agreed upon and as envisaged in the joint Resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, in order to assist the government of Pakistan at its request". This agreement, however, was meant to protect Pakistan from communist attack, not from India.

Dramatic shift of policy was noted after change of administration in the United States in 1961. Secret commitment was made by the United States in 1962 to come to Pakistan's protection against Indian aggression. Apart from verbal assurances from the United States for protection, military hardware was supplied to both Pakistan and India. During the period of Nixon administration, Henry Kissinger, National Security Adviser to President Nixon, played ping-pong diplomacy to establish relations with China. Offering corridor to Nixon administration to reach out to China Pakistan enjoyed unequivocal support, both financial and military, from Nixon administration. During the Bangladesh liberation war, Nixon administration sided with Pakistan.

In the 80's the United States again showed deep interest in Pakistan because of the involvement in Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. Through the help of Pakistan the United States achieved success to drive out the Soviet Union from Afghanistan. With withdrawal of Soviet troops Pakistan's relations with the United States remained cool, and the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan significantly altered the scenario in South Asia.

President Musharraf has been enjoying US favour since Sept.11, 2001 when he joined President Bush's war on terror project. The Bush administration gave salami for that in the form of writing off Pakistani debt. Bush administration made promise in 2005 for 3 billion in aid over five years and selling another $ one billion worth of weapons, apart from committing to sale dozens of high performance F-16 war planes. President Bush's war on terror drew Pakistan into much more active role in 2001 which gave it a new status as most active non-NATO member.

But US air strike on January 13 this year in Bajaur near Afghan border is the reflection of a growing discontent against Musharraf regime which failed to contain the influence of Taliban and Al-Qaeda network. With Taliban nowhere near elimination in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Osama and his Al-Qaeda network still in operation, Bush administration is perhaps looking for a new guy in Islamabad to contain these elements as these were the main reasons to bank on Pakistan.

The signing of document on sharing nuclear technology with India has caused concerns to US hard core ally Pakistan. The US President did not comply with Pakistan's request for signing such agreement. Pakistan's track record of exporting nuclear weapons technology to the declared rouge states by its scientist did not qualify it for such demand. Therefore, it appears that Pakistan's relations with the United States are not as static. May be Pakistan is used as spawn on the chess board.

There is no doubt that balance of power in South Asia will favour India with the signing of the agreement with the US and the proposed sale of advanced fighter planes to India. This represents a major shift in decade long policy for the United States, which

had criticised India after its debut in nuclear arena in 1974 when she conducted first nuclear test and imposed sanctions in 1998 following more tests. Now under the agreement, India would receive nuclear technologies including uranium, fuel while India would separate its civilian and military nuclear programmes and place it under international inspections. The fact remains that India did not sign nuclear non-proliferation treaty as yet despite pressure.

Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit from July 18-20 last year to the United States was seen very important to dispel any misunderstandings with Bush administration and to strengthen the existing relations that have been characterised as significant transformation in the recent past following the dismantling of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The agreement between the US President and Indian Premier needs approval of the Congress of the United States. In the Congress the agreement may not have a smooth sailing since the Congress is very vocal against North Korea and Iran on the issue of nuclear weapons. But the pressure from Jewish lawmakers in the Congress would manage to pass the pro-India bill.

China's rising as a global power prompted Bush administration to go ahead with this agreement as a counterweight to China. As apart of the strategy Bush administration

places India on the trump card and has been pursuing to bolster India's position in the region. The agreement can also be seen against recent warning by a Chinese General to hit the United States if Bush administration interferes in the matters relating to Beijing and Taipei.

The sudden growing relations between US and India can be seen from yet another perspective, which relates to dominant role of Israeli administration through the good office of America-Israel Public Affairs Committee in the US and Jewish members in the Congress. AIPAC is regarded as the guardian of Israel in the United States, which weighs influence in formulating foreign policy of America as can be seen from the uniform policy of both US and Israel with regard to the issue of Palestinians.

It is a fact that bilateral relations between India and the United States have markedly improved since the visit of Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Indian Premier, to the US in 2000, who built up relations with Israel following recognition of the country by Narashima Rao government in 1992. The visit of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, to India in September, 2003 evolved a triad or a core alliance of India-Israel and US which India's National Security Adviser Brajesh Misra spelled out in May, 2003 in an address to the American-Jewish Congress in Washington. Brajesh Misra made the following observations: i) India-US-Israel have some fundamental similarities ii) Strong India-US and India-Israel relations have a natural logic.

Possibly this alliance primarily begins operation against terrorism and to contain China's influence in the region and beyond.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a former diplomat resides in Virginia.