View: The West’s geopolitical agenda and deep state priorities diverge on India
India in a murder case of a globally wanted criminal. But his worryingly cavalier ways have thrown the spotlight on the faulty instincts within the ‘Five Eyes’ (FVEY) to target India at a time when it’s a partner in every other folder on the table.
The problem stems from a constant effort from within the Western intelligence community to create leverage that can be used to throw India off-balance when needed — like attempting to resurrect the Khalistan ghost on the back of organised crime. But why have such a goal when the US, and much of the West, eventually finds itself on India’s side on most other issues?
It comes down to trust, amplified by the fact that the constant suspicion and targeting of India by the Western intelligence community has yielded little.
In fact, FVEY — the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand —and others have often taken the wrong bet on India. It’s usually the politics of situation that has prompted leaderships to alter the deep state approach, if not revise it.
Pakistan is a prime example of taking a wrong bet with India.
The entire equation built through the 1960s and 1970s with Pakistan’s military leadership and the ISI was one big intelligence exercise, worked upon by Western intelligence agencies under the Cold War’s shadow. It started trying to get the better of the Soviet Union, but continued well and beyond, resulting in turning a blind eye to the rise of Islamic terror.
The balancing act on Kashmir, prompted largely by its understanding of British intelligence, was a significant by product of this mis-assessment.
It took something of the magnitude of 9/11 for this ‘wrong call’ to be bared. Eventually, the US course-corrected and launched a strategic partnership with India.
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