While this left the Taliban to fend for itself, it also marked a turning point in the relationship between Pakistan and Taliban. Suspicion began to grow in the minds of Taliban about the Pakistani support for its cause. In response, the Taliban and other militant organisations like the Al Qaeda decided to expand operations in Pakistan, including attacks on Musharraf.

With Musharraf gone now, the present civil government finds itself in a helpless situation. Pakistan is no longer being treated as a trusted partner of the US in its fight against Taliban and the Al Qaeda.

The American and Indian interests of neutralising the Taliban and other outfits in the region have started to clash with Pakistan’s security concerns against India. The recent peace treaty in the Swat Valley is to be viewed from this perspective. No meaningful results will be achieved until relations between India and Pakistan are normalised.

At this critical juncture, when Zardari and his political team do not possess the requisite political authority, the Army is again emerging as a potent force in Pakistan. General Ashfaq Kayani has, therefore, been invited to visit Washington DC for talks. India’s emergence on the economic front is another issue, especially when India’s relations with the US are slowly warming up.

China is viewing this as a policy of containment by the US and while they are interested in putting a check on terrorist activities in their own region, they will not let Pakistan grow weak on account of US policies in the region.

China is, therefore, unlikely to oppose Taliban.