Former President Pervez Musharraf�€™s admission that Pakistan has been using US military aid intended for the �€˜war on terror�€™ to strengthen defences against India, is a candid reinforcement by a Pakistani leader of a fact which should come as no surprise to the Indian establishment. From the most recent allegations that Islamabad modified US made Harpoon missiles and P-3C Orion maritime aircraft, to previous instances of nuclear proliferation �€“ Pakistan�€™s Army has been involved in the business of deceit for several decades. New Delhi�€™s repeated calls for greater accountability of weapons procurement and military aid to Islamabad have not been heeded, with the Obama administration choosing to allay India�€™s concerns through hollow assurances, all the while assisting Pakistan in its military buildup. In a region where cross-border relations have been marred by partition, wars, terrorism and mutual distrust �€“ the slightest conflagration could shatter the fragile peace between the two neighbours. 

President Obama entered the White House amidst much expectation that his policies would fundamentally differ from that of his predecessor, George W Bush. The new President had made all the right moves �€“ talking tough with regards to Pakistan and calling for accountability and action on the ground. Yet, nine months in, there is very little to differentiate between the two administrations vis-à-vis Pakistan. The Obama Administration is pushing for USD 5 billion in military aid to Islamabad, in addition to the USD 1.5 billion currently awaiting Congress approval. Furthermore, there is a blueprint to provide Pakistan with USD 3 billion over the next 5 years to train and equip the military in counter-insurgency �€“ not to mention that the Kerry-Lugar Bill proposes USD 2 billion over the same period. Despite the fact that each bill carries a clause assuring New Delhi that the funds will not be utilized for purposes other than to fight terrorism, one can appreciate India�€™s cautious response. 

Pentagon reports state that approximately USD 10 billion of military funds were wasted under Musharraf�€™s presidency �€“ with a large proportion of the money going towards building Pakistan�€™s defences against India. More recently, when questioned by the US Congress, Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen admitted that there was evidence of Pakistan siphoning US aid to expand its nuclear weapons �€“ posing a direct threat to India. Choosing to ignore the facts, Washington has insisted that Pakistan�€™s new democratic leadership and military chiefs are sincere in their efforts to tackle terrorism and, that misappropriations of the past are being systematically rooted out. The Obama administration cannot be faulted for its optimism of a re-modeled ISI and military, they do, after all, also believe in raising the level of discourse capable by the Republicans in Congress, in remaining allies with Israel while they try to befriend Iran and, in solving Afghanistan�€™s problems by holding a �€˜kebab summit�€™ with the moderate or less extreme elements of the Taliban. 

The Obama administration, as with previous US administrations is content with maintaining the status quo, while choosing to ignore Islamabad�€™s transgressions, just as long as there is visible progress against terrorist elements. General Kayani and the establishment are unlikely to tinker with a formula which has historically provided dividends. Pakistan�€™s Army and the ISI seek legitimacy in the eyes of the populace. However, with the Gallup survey suggesting that only 18 percent of the public consider India the greatest threat, and the Pew survey showing that two thirds of participants favour an improvement in relations with India, the establishment stands to lose its grip on the country �€“ more so given President Zardari�€™s support for �€˜good�€™ ties with New Delhi. Since the days of partition, Pakistan�€™s army has viewed itself against the backdrop of Kashmir and India �€“ seeing its role as a protector of Kashmiris �€œ�€�in line with the aspirations of the Pakistani nation�€. A change in public attitude threatens to derail the clout of the military �€“ an outcome General Kayani and ISI chief General Pasha can ill-afford. 

The notion of viewing oneself vis-à-vis a perceived threat from India has, and will continue to drive, Pakistan�€™s military ambitions. As recent months have shown, cross-border infiltration bids have been occurring systematically, coupled with occasional border skirmishes �€“ the most recent of which involved rocket firing in Punjab. As winter approaches, the coming months are likely to register several more instances of Pakistani adventurism. The modification of US weapons is an integral aspect to the army�€™s credibility and plan �€“ providing high-tech weaponry, while closing the gap in conventional terms. Washington�€™s failure to clamp down on repeated Pakistani violations of the �€˜Arms Control Export Act�€™ could have far reaching consequences for the sub-continent �€“ particularly as India�€™s patience with regards to investigations into the Mumbai 2008 terrorist strikes wears thin. 

The Pakistani military�€™s insistence on viewing itself in opposition to India has in several ways stifled the development of the nation. Meanwhile, America�€™s decision to ignore proliferation and modification of US weapons technology has allowed the establishment to reaffirm its position in the country, while posing a direct threat to India. The procurement of conventional weapons unsuited to the fight against terrorism, suggests that Pakistan�€™s military has ulterior motives. The �€˜old guard�€™ of the armed forces has taken a calculated risk by supporting America�€™s fight against terrorism - thereby assuring themselves of access to new technology. As Pakistan�€™s military prepares for the long haul, tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbours could rise in the near future �€“ ending the uneasy peace which has defined the region in recent years.