NEW DELHI -- In recent days, new evidence has surfaced that China and Pakistan have stepped up their clandestine nuclear and missile collaboration as part of their joint rivalry with India. It is clear that the Sino-Pakistani nexus is getting stronger, putting India's security under increased pressure. Media reports and leaks from U.S. intelligence briefings to Congress have unveiled new Sino-Pakistani activities that authorities in both Washington and New Delhi are reluctant to talk about.
Left to face the music essentially on its own, India has only one real ally: the American press, which every so often uncovers details of the Sino-Pakistani collaboration that the U.S. administration wants to suppress in order not to invoke sanctions laws. Often, the particulars disclosed are already known to the Indian government. Sometimes, however, information gets revealed that is new to Indian authorities. In either case, ordinary Indians learn about the goings-on from U.S. media revelations.
The latest activities discovered , however, are so serious that they were the focus of talks that a high-ranking U.S. delegation led by John Holum had in Beijing last weekend. As usual, the Chinese were inflexible on Pakistan but willing to be flexible on other issues. The concern over Sino-Pakistani assistance flow was discussed at length during the talks but, as Holum said, "the issue remains unresolved."