WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR INDIA AND PAKISTAN

War is painful, so is peace, and keeping the peace can be excruciating in times like these. India and Pakistan are at the crossroads of their already fraught relationship as tensions ratchet with the ‘preemptive strike’ by Indian fighter jets early on Tuesday. Reports said the aircraft crossed over to the other side and struck a “terrorist” training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistani territory. New Delhi said members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group responsible for the suicide attack on an Indian paratroopers’ convoy two weeks ago, were killed. Islamabad denied it had any role in the bombing then. On Tuesday, it denied that Indian jets had caused any deaths on its territory. The Pakistani leadership under Prime Minister Imran Khan went into a huddle and said they would retaliate. Through all these denials, claims and counter-claims by both sides, one thing is clear — the two neighbours are closer to war and much will depend on their civilian and military leaderships to avert a deadly crisis. China has rightly called for ‘restraint’ as it knows a full-blown war would imperil the entire region.

Besides, both sides have nuclear weapons and other countries could get involved if war breaks out. Tempting though as it may sound to gain the upperhand, a desperate move by either side would lead to the devastation of not just Asia but also the Middle East. But that’s the worst-case scenario and both New Delhi and Islamabad would be wise to avoid further provocations to reach this stage. A Pakistani military response would mean certain conflict and, once begun no one can predict which way it will go. Both sides must realise non-state actors have exploited souring ties to further their agenda. Pakistan PM Khan and Indian PM Modi must get on the phone line and talk to temper down tensions — which is easier said than done. Peace can be excruciatingly painful in times like these but India and Pakistan can fight through this pain by restarting the process of dialogue. If they fall into the war trap laid by terror outfits like Jaish, they would be courting doom.

a desperate move by either side would cause devastation