The wooing game

Chandigarh, Monday, October 28, 1974

As part of its political strategy for the Indian subcontinent, the Soviet Union has been shrewdly striving for a permanent foothold in Pakistan. It has already secured India’s lasting goodwill through generous economic assistance and the military commitments in the Indo-Soviet Treaty of August 1971. It is now devoting much time and attention to Pakistan, mainly to counter the growing Chinese and American influence. Mr Bhutto, on his part, has been trying to exploit the Soviet susceptibilities and using his reinforced political leverage to extort maximum gains. He has reiterated that the Soviet friendship “does not affect, in any way whatsoever, Pakistan’s friendship with China.” In fact, another Chinese friendship delegation is reaching Pakistan this week. Mr Bhutto is a past master in the art of playing one power against another whenever feasible. With the rapport he has now established with the Soviet Union, he commands the unique distinction of having the best of three worlds, instead of the proverbial two. The summit-level talks he had with Soviet leaders in Moscow last week were the first since he assumed office after the Bangladesh debacle. The mutual differences on some vital issues have not been allowed to hinder overt and covert understandings in many fields. The search for the greatest common factor is evident from the joint communique issued after the Moscow summit. The stress throughout is on peace, security and stability. Any ambiguous reference to India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh (with all of whom the Soviet Union has cordial relations) has been scrupulously avoided.