Mohammad Jamil
AS a result of Modi government’s dangerous policies in domestic and foreign affairs realms, analysts reckon that India and Pakistan edging closer to war. Apart from violations at the Line of Control, India has upped the ante by asking Pakistan to reduce the staff strength of Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by 50 per cent. Pakistan reciprocated in kind and asked India to reduce the strength of its diplomatic mission in Islamabad by 50%. It all started on May 31, when India declared two staffers of the Pakistani Mission persona non grata after accusing them of espionage and maintaining contacts with terrorist organizations. However, Pakistan strongly dismissed Indian claims and instead accused New Delhi for violating Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Recently, India withdrew two of its staff members who were briefly detained by Islamabad in a hit and run accident.
Contrary to Pakistan version, the Indian Government claimed two officials were not involved in hit-and-run case but were abducted at gunpoint. “Their severe ill-treatment underlines the extent to which Pakistan has gone in that direction,” the Indian handout claimed. In fact, the tense situation escalated when on the 5th of August 2019 the Government of India revoked the special status, or limited autonomy, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution to Jammu & Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute among India and Pakistan. In December 2019, Indian Parliament passed a Bill namely Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which offered amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighboring countries – Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said this would give sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution. Critics say the Bill is part of a BJP agenda to marginalize Muslims.
But the problem for Modi Government is that Indian economy has tanked; Coronavirus cases and deaths have increased enormously; Nepal has released a new map which has been passed by the Nepali Parliament; people of Kashmir have rejected the revocation of Article 370 and people of other states are up against the amendment to CAB; and India is being condemned left, right and centre. In order to divert attention of domestic audience and to mislead international community, India is reportedly planning a false flag operation. Indian troops have faced humiliation at the hands of Chinese soldiers, and critics are reminding Indian civil and military leaders’ boasting in the past that India could take on China and Pakistan at the same time.
Javed Naqvi in his article titled ‘Is China telling Modi something’ quoted that veteran TV anchor Karan Thapar of TheWire news portal asked former diplomat Nirupama Rao ‘could there be a military flare-up as had happened with Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack?’ She said: “China is not Pakistan. We have to embrace that reality. It is a direct message the Chinese are sending to Prime Minister Modi. They’ve thrown the gauntlet. They’re looking to see what our response will be.” Javed Naqvi while quoting Indian politician and columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni stated that “after thousands of lives lost with Pakistan, soldiers and civilian together, in so many years we couldn’t take an inch from them, how do you see India taking Aksai Chin back?” This statement is a clear manifestation of flawed military strategy of India, which shows the incompetence and professional weaknesses of their huge military apparatus.
The then Army Chief and later Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) General Deepak Kapoor’s statement on 23rd November 2009 had confirmed the hegemonic thrust of India’s nuclear doctrine, who had indicated that India was setting the stage for a limited war against Pakistan since long. Anti-Pakistan statements with provocative themes and jargons by Indian civil and military leadership are deplorable. Pakistan’s elected and military leaderships have shown tolerance and cool attitude, while the enemy is yelling for a possible confrontation. Indian politicians and top Generals must understand the implications of war-mongering, provocative statements and warnings to peaceful neighbor, who is equally equipped to respond effectively. According to newspaper’s report in December 2009, Indian Army was revising its five-year-old doctrine to effectively meet the challenges of war with China and Pakistan, deal with asymmetric and fourth-generation warfare, and enhance strategic reach.
The head of the then command Lt. General A.S. Lamba went so far as to say that a massive thrust in Rawalpindi could quiet Pakistanis within 48 hours of the start of the assault. According to him Cold Start Doctrine was an Exclusively Offensive, Blitzkrieg inspired military strategy, reportedly developed by the Indian Military Command (IMC), specifically for Pakistan to replace the outdated ‘Sundarji Doctrine’ which miserably failed during 2001-2002 standoff with Pakistan. Indian leadership should not exacerbate tension in Asia and should understand the consequences of sabre-rattling and ultimate war between two atomic states. India should remember Pakistan’s response to her adventurism in February last year, and that Pakistan’s defence forces have the ability, capability and will to frustrate designs of warmongers and enemies of peace, as they are combat hardened in war on terror during last 15 years.
Over more than a decade, Pakistan’s civil and military leaderships have shown restraint in the wake of provocative statements by Indian civil and military leaders. India has always balked at the negotiations to resolve the disputes between the two countries including the core issue of Kashmir. Indian political and military leadership resorted to jingoism and continued hurling threats. It is a matter of record that Pakistan has been talking peace while Indian leaders continue to stir tension one way or another.
—The writer is a senior journalist based in Lahore.
