It’s time to take on Pakistan
It took nearly seven decades for India to say the obvious; feeble attempt after the 1954 resolution on the subject notwithstanding. The Prime Minister’s declaration from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 in regard to PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan and in particular Baluchistan was a bold attempt to caution Pakistan what lay ahead. Pakistan has continued to bleed India with impunity and destabilise the state of J&K. But India did not take any advantage of the adverse situation prevailing in these Pak-held territories due to human rights violations.
Terrorism is central to Pakistan in its attempt to weaken India internally. What is happening currently in the Valley is near repetition of the 1965 Operation Gibraltar launched by Pakistan, which failed because of local population’s disenchantment. That unfortunately is not the case at present. It’s the third-generation-alienated Kashmiri youth who is presently fighting in the streets. He is disgruntled and perhaps has elders who are willing to look over the shoulders. This is a new factor in battle for Kashmir and a challenge for the security forces.
PASSIVE, SO FAR
A senior member of the Parliament recently referred to the Pak-sponsored crossborder terrorism as a ‘constant factor’ in Indo-Pak relations, a surprising admission of vulnerability and helplessness in getting Pakistan to mend its ways. Pakistan has been following its ‘thousand cuts’ policy for nearly two-and-a-half decades with total impunity, starting with Punjab and following it up with J&K. Some of these attempts were indeed daring and no less than aggression and violation of India’s sovereignty. And yet India’s response was passive and over cautious. Indian proclivity for sabre rattling and to avoid conflict situations encourages Pakistan all the more. How many Indians have been killed during these decades doesn’t seem to matter for the powers that be. Equally unrealised is the fact that stability in J&K will elude as long as Pakistan’s intrusiveness continues.
So far India has failed to evolve any proactive strategy at political or military level. These long years have only shown that reactive or defensive strategies are not the answer. India’s options for punitive action are indeed limited due to Pakistan’s threat of nuclear response. But could Pakistan military be that rash as to ignore the consequences that are extremely grave to say the least. Notwithstanding, Pakistan’s nuclear threat deterred India from crossing the border during Operation Parakram. Somehow India has fallen prey to Pakistan’s flaunting of its nuclear weapons. Late Lt Gen Hamid Gul, former ISI chief, once said the possession of nuclear weapons by both sides has led to a “balance of terror” that made them “weapons of peace”.
Perhaps, a ‘declaration’ by India of its intent may be helpful. Any infiltration from across the border of Mumbai, Kargil or Pathankot type would be construed as a violation of India’s sovereignty and an act of aggression against the Indian state which would invite suitable response. This may perhaps inhibit Pakistan to some extent.
THE BALOCHISTAN SURPRISE
India has obviously decided not only to lay its claim on PoK and Gilgit explicitly but also render political and moral support to the citizens. However, bringing in Balochistan along with these Pakistan held areas was a big surprise. Obviously, the Prime Minister was sounding the deep state in Pakistan that things would not be same any more. India is within its right to express concern about human rights violations in Balochistan. At no stage did the Prime Minister talk about ‘liberation’ or said anything that was provocative or was tantamount to interference in the affairs of another country. As a regional power, India has a right to express its views about such issues in its neighbourhood.
PERHAPS, A ‘DECLARATION’ BY INDIA OF ITS INTENT MAY BE HELPFUL. ANY INFILTRATION FROM ACROSS THE BORDER WOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A VIOLATION OF INDIA’S SOVEREIGNTY AND AN ACT OF AGGRESSION, WHICH WOULD INVITE SUITABLE RESPONSE.