Riding The Tide
The US endorsement of Pakistan's position on Kashmir bolsters Musharraf's fortunes even as anti-American outrage gathers steam.

Powell And Patience
President Bush's invitation to Vajpayee for a one-on-one in Washington next month makes up for the disappointment in New Delhi in the wake of Colin Powell's visit.

Autumn Of Turmoil
The Northern Alliance waits and watches the US moves in anticipation of a post-US-attack power struggle with the Taliban.
A look at the mood and the ground realities in Kabul.

COVER STORY: MOOD IN PAKISTAN

Critical Juncture

Sympathy has only matched the economic and military assistance that has come Pakistan's way. US President George W. Bush has ordered the release of a $50-million grant for Pakistan — citing it as vital to the security interests of Washington. This has raised the total bilateral aid to $100 million, crucial for the country's ailing economy. According to a senior State Department official, Powell has also promised Musharraf another $500 million. Besides, the US is willing to expand its military ties with Pakistan, ranging from arms sales to personnel exchanges.

	HOTSEAT: Powell's remarks have provided some respite for a beleaguered Musharraf

The US largesse has marginally bolstered a Musharraf bogged down at home by the Kashmir imbroglio. For while publicly no official had been willing to comment, high-ranking military officers had admitted that without logistical backing and strategic retreats the uprising in Kashmir would be seriously affected. At the same time, officials had also admitted that Pakistan had no choice but to support the global consensus against Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaida network.

It was, perhaps, this unease that triggered a flurry of condemnation of Musharraf's decision to provide intelligence and logistical support to the US, by religious groups like the Jamaat-e-Islami which overtly support jehad in Kashmir. Unlike the hardline Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, which shares a close relationship with the Taliban, the Jamaat does not have much influence in Afghanistan. Its prime area of concern is the effect of the new war on the uprising in Kashmir. Other jehadi religious parties also see in the Government's stance not only a betrayal of the Taliban but also of the Kashmiri movement. Recognising this perception, Musharraf, in his first address to the nation after the attacks in the US, sought to play upon the Kashmir issue to justify his support to the US. Turning the equation on its head, he appealed to the extremists to support the Government at the "critical juncture". Otherwise, he said, "national interests" such as Kashmir would be adversely affected. The religious groups, of course, refused to buy the argument. In an apparent bid to support Musharraf, Powell's comments have now sought to soothe ruffled feathers.

Whether the US position is opportunistic-it needs Pakistan's help in taming the Taliban-is a matter of conjecture. But there is optimism in Pakistan that, at least for the moment, it can rely on the US support to ward off Indian action along its eastern border. Having the Kashmir issue back on the international agenda is, of course, the most Musharraf could have hoped for in the current circumstances.

—with Riju D. Mehta in Delhi

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Kolkata Restaurant: Tangerine

Delhi Yoga: Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute

Delhi Cultural Festival : Qutab Festival