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With Indo-Pak tension not abating after Mumbai attacks; clouds of war are seen hovering over sub-continental horizon
Let Saner forces muster courage to defuse tension and goad both governments to resume composite dialogue and tackle terror jointly
By: Wajahat Ali
Srinagar: While turning pages of history, we notice that Indo-Pak relations have not been smooth since the day of partition of undivided India and as such contours on the canvas are quite uneven and undulating. It was Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India, who took an initiative from the soil of Kashmir and later traveled to Lahore by bus. However, with the change of guards in Pakistan, the spirit of the “Bus” did not die down and talks were resumed at Agra, which too failed to improve Indo-Pak relations. With the exit of Musharraf and Peoples Party occupying the seat of power, it was expected that Composite Dialogue Process would continue but Mumbai attacks have created a wedge and put the dialogue process on hold.
The war hysteria has gained momentum and the two Worlds’ largest armies have started mobilization at if the two mass up on the borders, possibility of a conflict cannot be ruled out. India wants Pakistan to act against terrorists on the basis of circumstantial and political evidence but the latter demands concrete proof against those involved in Mumbai terrorist attack. Even Ajmal Kasab’s request has been turned down by Pakistan, which shows that it has hardened its posture. Pakistan is already engaged in the North West, where it is fighting Islamic insurgents and suspects that Mumbai attack has been maneuvered by external forces to divert its attention.
Despite the Prime Minister of India having organized meetings with army Chiefs and conveyed India’s concern to different countries of the world, the cooler heads seem to be prevailing at least for the time being to avoid direct confrontation. There is no clear evidence that the Pakistani Government either knew or approved of the Mumbai attack besides there is no evidence available that Pakistani intelligence was involved. Had it been so then the Foreign Minister of Pakistan would not be present in India on the day and the time of Mumbai attack. Moreover, the strike on Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel preceded the attack on Mumbai. This shows that there is a common enemy that wants nuclear holocaust in this part of the globe.
The political analysts believe that India is not pushing Pakistan harder as it is well aware of how fragile its neighbour is. The collapse of Pakistani State into chaos would be an Indian and American nightmare. India is well aware of the fact that there have been constant insurgencies in Balochistan, tensions in Sindh and alienation among the Pashtuns of the Northwest Frontier Province. There is also lot of resentment against Punjabis and pak government has lost control of much of the border region with Afghanistan to Taliban.
It is unfortunate that Islam is being misrepresented and Pakistan is dubbed as epicenter of terrorism. As a matter of fact, Pakistan has lost its tall leader and many others in terrorist attacks. Hardly a day passes when there are no reports of terrorist attacks in one or the other part of that country. All expectations have proved wrong after the take over of Zardari as President of Pakistan. There is neither any perceptible improvement in security situation in Pakistan nor any forward movement in Indo-Pak relations.
In order to diffuse tension and dispel misgivings, the two countries of India and Pakistan must shun mistrust and put their heads together to go to the root cause of terrorist attacks in both the countries. The Mumbai attacks reinforce the need for inter-state cooperation and joint mechanism to tackle terror. Both the countries must work with full determination to develop an anti-terrorism mechanism to dismantle terror-network and demolish bases of terrorists in both the countries. Pakistan has to understand that a legalistic and technical response to the Mumbai attacks will not exonerate it completely. No cosmetic treatment will help in nipping the evil in the bud. The Pakistani Government must address the issues raised by India seriously and India must understand that basic issues needing political revolution can alone wipe out clouds of mistrust and ensure lasting peace in the region. Once the outstanding issues are addressed with a sense of sincerity and resolutions arrived at, the day shall not be far off when both the countries will emerge as big economic powers in South Asia.
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