Kashmir – How US Supported Pakistan Subversion
Patrick French’s recent tweets are interesting footnotes to India’s tortured foreign policy, lurching between Nehru-Eisenhower friendship, to the US-Western support for Pakistan’s anti-India activities.
MT @PatrickFrench2: In '61, US army trained Pak soldiers in guerrilla warfare. Soldiers then got 6-month paid leave to cross Kashmir border.—
(@dmsouthasia) August 24, 2011
@dmsouthasia @PatrickFrench2 Any URL on source, publication on how US trained Pak guerrillas – who were paid to go to Kashmir?—
St. PT Barnum (@StPTBarnum) August 24, 2011
@StPTBarnum See context of original tweet.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
Heading for Edinburgh at high-speed for the book festival. Lots of Indo-Pak writers there this year.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 23, 2011
Sparky event at Edinburgh book festival. Met a man during signing who had been at army staff college in Quetta in 1961. Told me…—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
US special forces were training Pak soldiers in guerrilla warfare. Soldiers then given 6-month paid leave to cross Kashmir border.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
Please read the context of earlier tweet about Kashmir. This was in 1961, not 2011. Source was a former World Bank employee.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
Would be interested to hear more from historians who have studied US involvement in Pak. Witness certainly seemed credible.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
@harikunzru 1961. Source was a World Bank employee turned academic.—
Patrick French (@PatrickFrench2) August 24, 2011
An Englishman named French
Patrick French has written two successful books on India – and is seen as another well-intentioned Indo-phile. His rather patronizing view of Indian leadership (refers to Indian MPs as HMPs – hereditary MPs) has become rather famous in Indian media. Unfortunately his view of Indian MPs as HMPs – hereditary MPs) displays a singular lack in understanding of Western demographics – and Indian society.
But then, he can be equally good, when he is mocking Michael Heseltine’s daughter, too!
Behind the bizarre policies of the Pakistani State are the dollars and mal-intentions of Pax Americana. (Cartoon by Ajit Ninan; on 15th April, 2011; source and courtesy - timesofindia.com). Click for source image.
Soldiers of fortune
Such as his ‘understanding’ is, he has been smart enough to hitch his career to Rising India than Empty-Shell Britain, his native country.
Much like his other British colleague, William Dalrymple. Or British ‘traders’ who came to India to make a living – and later, looted, instead.
India’s new religion
The Dalrymples and the Frenchs receive a rather warm welcome in India due to their soft-push of liberal-progressive ideas. The same ideas that are behind India’s new religion – Westernization.
So enamored with the new religion of ‘Westernization’ are Indians, that no criticism is accepted or tolerated.
The ‘progressive liberal’ establishment of the West is viewed benignly in India – and seen as ‘well wishers’ of India. Many such ideas are welcomed in India without analysis, as the source of such initiatives is seen as well-intentioned. A ‘tolerant’ and ‘open’ society like India can be a complacent victim to Trojan horses.
After the dust settles
Much like how Marathas continued to ‘accept’ Mughal position of rulers of India, long after the claim had expired. Modern India too, accepts Western ‘achievements’. Compared to the ‘co-operation’ with the Islāmic plunderers our ‘collaboration’ with the West is in no way less damaging or in any way less culpable.
In this context, French’s report of this conversation is a rather interesting and independent confirmation of rather malignant (OK, unfriendly, if you will) Western intentions regarding India.
Related articles
- Rights group asks India to probe Kashmir graves (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- ‘India: A Portrait’: Patrick French’s new history of India since 1947 (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Call for Kashmir graves’ inquiry (bbc.co.uk)
- Kashmir Mass Grave Found: Reported Burial Sites May Contain Thousands Of Bodies (huffingtonpost.com)
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