US must respect Pakistan's views

The US administration has put an unnecessary spin on the talks between the chiefs of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington.

While the meeting has been termed as ‘productive', both parties have failed to resolve the key dispute namely, the ISI's wish to have greater control over US spy operations on Pakistani soil. Washington's high-handedness in dismissing this request is alarming and suggests that the Obama administration views itself as having unlimited immunity in every alliance.

The stakes are high and mutual cooperation is essential for the security of both nations, more importantly for Pakistan, which is combating the twin threats of extremism — Al Qaida and Taliban — inside the country as well as on the border with Afghanistan.

If Islamabad has asked for more visibility in some issues, after all the concessions that it has made, then it is its right to do so. Furthermore, if the US agrees, the association between the countries can expand further. Current collaborations have revealed apprehension, recrimination and anger from both sides. Recent breakdowns — like the Raymond Davis affair — only highlight the symptoms of this fracture though not the cause. Washington must therefore respect Pakistan's sovereignty and modify its asymmetric stance.