Re: Bush meet Mush on Pak soil (merged)
And so are we on the India side, atleast those of us that don't partake on the koolaid.
Bush and Condi promising nuclear pact is all great but I think it is a master stroke on their side - to say that they really wanted to make the deal but Congress shot it down. It's part of the eat the cake and have it too strategy. And why do they need to do this? So that they know the limits to which India can be pushed. It is just my view but I think they had the Vajpayee govt pegged down quite a bit but did not have have a clue how the Manmohan team thought and operated. Now I think they know a bit more. The Vajpayee gang was more passionate and idealistic but the Manmohan team is more practical and professional. The vision remains the same I think.
As to Pakistan, my view for what it's worth, is that this is the beginning of succession planning. As you know, the Bush-Mush personal compatibility has been a big factor in how things worked out but how much longer can that sustain relationship between 2 countries? This is a very key conccern for us Indians too. Does not mean Mush is under any threat (amazing how great a general he has been quite frankly) but the world needs some visibility to who else and who will succeed. Without that, any deal meaking becomes invalid and impractical. The banker is not the answer atleast as of now - the difference between great manager and leader