An idea that has received little media attention in Britain, but is giving Foreign Office diplomats sleepless nights, is David Miliband’s push for a “regional stabilisation council” involving Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, to be unveiled at the international conference scheduled for January 28. The idea is seen as an innovate way to bring the three countries together, while at the same time allowing the Foreign Secretary, who will formally host the conference, to show leadership and initiative. The pretender to the post-election Labour throne needs something to get rid of his “Banana Boy” epithet.
So far, however, the idea is not meeting with local support. Pakistan, in particular, is opposed to giving any role to what it calls “extra-regional powers” and has even said India might use the council for “subversive activities in Pakistan”. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani personally conveyed Pakistan’s concerns to Britain’s top diplomat.
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