Goodnight Islamabad

Looking at one of the benefits of a post-Pakistan relationship:

The extent of Pakistani cooperation in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden is still unclear, but because the al Qaeda leader was found just 35 miles north of the country’s capital, the killing will be symbolic of Pakistan’s reluctant and tense political and military relationship with America. In fact, investors said, it may put an end to this relationship, turning the focus on the U.S. to build further political and economic ties with India.

“It exposes Pakistan as not a true ally and gives them very few chips left to bargain with America,” said Alec Levine, a managing director at WallachBeth Capital, in New York. “India is the big winner here.”

The U.S. has been dependant on Pakistan for intelligence in hunting terrorists within the country and Afghanistan, which covers most of its western border. In return, the U.S. has provided aid, and at times, diplomatic support, drawing the ire of India, whose relation with Pakistan has been tense over the last 50 years.

“India had snubbed the U.S. in the past because of the political side of things,” said Ron Shah, a Jina Ventures managing director. “The political side will now turn to India and trade alliances will keep getting stronger. You keep hearing about bigger cross-border contracts to come.”

It would seem that a better relationship with India is somewhat overdue. Meanwhile, here's another reason to encourage better relations with the world's largest democracy: