It has been more than 15 days since the traumatizing attacks on Mumbai. India, so far, hasn’t really reacted except for building up the diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. The intellectuals’, masses and the media are wondering why our government is taking so much time to retaliate. What are India’s options? Let us consider the options that are routinely discussed in the media. They are:
a. Attack Pakistan b. Attack the Terrorist camps in the area along the Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. (Limited strikes)
c. Severe economic ties with Pakistan.
d. Engage Pakistan in a dialogue.
e. Urge world leaders and UN to pressurise Pakistan on taking action against terrorist camps in Pakistan.
I only wish the answers to this question were so simple.
a. Attack Pakistan b. Attack the Terrorist camps in the area along the Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. (Limited strikes)
c. Severe economic ties with Pakistan.
d. Engage Pakistan in a dialogue.
e. Urge world leaders and UN to pressurise Pakistan on taking action against terrorist camps in Pakistan.
I only wish the answers to this question were so simple.
Unprecedented economic crisis engulfing the world, complex priorities and needs of our country & the long-term goals of being a super-power are some of the issues that need to be tackled before deciding on the course of action. Let us understand what India’s challenges are.
The world economy is reeling under the economic crisis, and since India is not decoupled from the world economy, it is only a matter of time when Indian economy starts feeling the heat. If at all India goes to war with Pakistan, Pakistan has nothing much to lose but can India afford a war at this point of time when we are nursing the ambitions of becoming a super-power? The war-mongers want the eradication of Pakistan from the world map. Think for a moment, whether this can be realistic?
It is imperative for us to have peaceful borders with Pakistan which only a stable, democratic (even if dummy) government in Pakistan can ensure. The implications of war with Pakistan are scary. Deep economic crisis and vacuum in the government will help the fundamentalists seize the powers in Pakistan & the refugees will exert tremendous burden on the Indian state (as happened during 1971 war). Are we prepared for this double whammy? Obviously not, and hence India, while pressurizing Pakistan to act, will have to ensure that the prevalent political system there doesn’t break down. Believe me; this is going to be a tight rope walk for our government.
The world economy is reeling under the economic crisis, and since India is not decoupled from the world economy, it is only a matter of time when Indian economy starts feeling the heat. If at all India goes to war with Pakistan, Pakistan has nothing much to lose but can India afford a war at this point of time when we are nursing the ambitions of becoming a super-power? The war-mongers want the eradication of Pakistan from the world map. Think for a moment, whether this can be realistic?
It is imperative for us to have peaceful borders with Pakistan which only a stable, democratic (even if dummy) government in Pakistan can ensure. The implications of war with Pakistan are scary. Deep economic crisis and vacuum in the government will help the fundamentalists seize the powers in Pakistan & the refugees will exert tremendous burden on the Indian state (as happened during 1971 war). Are we prepared for this double whammy? Obviously not, and hence India, while pressurizing Pakistan to act, will have to ensure that the prevalent political system there doesn’t break down. Believe me; this is going to be a tight rope walk for our government.
As our economy is growing, our energy needs are going to multiply exponentially and while the energy sources are becoming scarce by the day, Iran-India gas pipe line through Pakistan can be a feasible option. Not only would Pakistan benefit from Iranian natural gas exports, but also Pakistani territory would be used as a transit route to export natural gas to India, for which Pakistan shall get paid by India. The potential for economic and developmental gain from natural gas will force India, Iran, and Pakistan to reassess their roles and policies in regional conflicts, like Kashmir, Afghanistan, and national security issues.
There’s also a talk about severing our economic ties with Pakistan. Our current trade balance with Pakistan no doubt is in surplus but I doubt whether severing economic ties will help. If India doesn’t supply, some other country will. So, if the war or limited war or the option of severing economic ties is ruled out, what can India do at this point in time? First & foremost, tighten internal security. A lot of issues relating to the co-ordination between various governmental security agencies, equipment to police have surfaced. These issues need immediate attention & resolution. Candles and human chains are fine & they do build pressure on government but these security lapses need to be followed up and media can play a very important role by following up regularly. Only time will tell us how serious the media is about national security. If the media forgets its duties, we as responsible citizens should remind the government of its promises. There are various ways through which this can be done. We may use this media, discussion groups or form pressure groups. Secondly, India will have to continue building up pressure on Pakistan. There are bright chances that the world will take notice of what we have to say this time. The failed US economy, growing threat of attacks on the USA, change in the US government and the reduced importance the USA places on Pakistan in its geopolitical strategies in Asia will ensure India gets more attention. The USA foresees a strong China as the impending super-power, & since it desperately needs to curb Chinese influence in Asia & the world, it is increasingly collaborating with India. We must take enough advantage of this fact. Already our diplomatic strategies are showing results with most world leaders openly admitting Pakistan’s role in the attacks. Latest in the list is the British P.M. Gordon Brown. Thirdly, we must not forget that however beleaguered the relationship between India & Pakistan is, we must continue a dialogue. A dialogue ensures a working relationship which can be used even to exert pressure in challenging times.
Let us remember that only the strong are respected in the world politics and no relationships are lasting.
There’s also a talk about severing our economic ties with Pakistan. Our current trade balance with Pakistan no doubt is in surplus but I doubt whether severing economic ties will help. If India doesn’t supply, some other country will. So, if the war or limited war or the option of severing economic ties is ruled out, what can India do at this point in time? First & foremost, tighten internal security. A lot of issues relating to the co-ordination between various governmental security agencies, equipment to police have surfaced. These issues need immediate attention & resolution. Candles and human chains are fine & they do build pressure on government but these security lapses need to be followed up and media can play a very important role by following up regularly. Only time will tell us how serious the media is about national security. If the media forgets its duties, we as responsible citizens should remind the government of its promises. There are various ways through which this can be done. We may use this media, discussion groups or form pressure groups. Secondly, India will have to continue building up pressure on Pakistan. There are bright chances that the world will take notice of what we have to say this time. The failed US economy, growing threat of attacks on the USA, change in the US government and the reduced importance the USA places on Pakistan in its geopolitical strategies in Asia will ensure India gets more attention. The USA foresees a strong China as the impending super-power, & since it desperately needs to curb Chinese influence in Asia & the world, it is increasingly collaborating with India. We must take enough advantage of this fact. Already our diplomatic strategies are showing results with most world leaders openly admitting Pakistan’s role in the attacks. Latest in the list is the British P.M. Gordon Brown. Thirdly, we must not forget that however beleaguered the relationship between India & Pakistan is, we must continue a dialogue. A dialogue ensures a working relationship which can be used even to exert pressure in challenging times.
Let us remember that only the strong are respected in the world politics and no relationships are lasting.
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