Malik M Ashraf
IN the backdrop of the failure of the Indian adventure at Balakot, downing of two Indian planes and capture of one Indian pilot, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed” The events of last week, which saw skirmishes between the Indian and Pakistani air forces and an Indian pilot being captured and returned, would have turned out differently if India already had Rafale fighter jets in its arsenal. Today, the lack of Rafale is being felt. The country is saying in one voice that had we had the Rafale fighter jets now, what all could have happened? Putting self-interest and politics before Rafale has seriously hurt the nation.”
He was lamenting inordinate delay in the acquisition of high precision French made Rafael planes as well the stiff resistance by the opposition to the revised deal that he had signed. Congress government had initiated the process to acquire the fighter jets in 2007 when it sent out initial tender in this regard but it could not finalize the deal by 2014, when Modi came to power. In 2015 he signed a new deal with France to buy 36 Rafale jets under completely different terms, rather than 126 that the tender in 2007 had envisioned. The first batch of the planes as per the deal was supposed to be delivered to India by the end of 2015 but the process was delayed because the opposition kept questioning the terms of his highly unusual deal—which involved repudiating the manner in which the Indian government was trying to acquire them.
Nevertheless all the obstacles have been cleared and finally India has got the first batch of five Rafael jets which were inducted in the Indian air force at Ambala airport on September 10. What the Indian Defence Minister Raj said on the occasion is indeed worrying for the countries of the region, particularly Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion Raj Nath said “Rafael aircraft was very significant given the security situation at India’s borders. In addition to stand off at Ladakh region, Indian troops regularly clash with Pakistani soldiers along the line of control.”
Indian desire to establish her hegemony in the region is a well established fact. It is corroborated by the fact that it has disputes with almost all its neighbours. It had a military confrontation with China in 1962 and currently again is involved in a military stand-off at Ladakh. It supported Tamil insurgency in Sri Lanka and has territorial disputes with Nepal. It has fought three wars with Pakistan and currently is pursuing a path of confrontation with her by keeping the LoC hot on a daily basis. Sending her planes to attack the imaginary terrorist camp at Balakot also indicated its aggressive streak which backfired because of the restraint shown by Pakistan and the befitting answer to the aggression in the shape of downing two Indian planes and capture of one of the pilots. To fulfil her hegemonic ambitions Indian not only went nuclear but also has been piling up arms to increase the threat level to her neighbours, particularly Pakistan. According to a report published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute India was the second largest importer of major arms between 2014 and 2018 which accounted for 9.5% of the global total.
It is regrettable that the trio of USA, France and UK are helping and encouraging India to fulfil her hegemonic designs in return for the role that the latter is playing in achieving objectives of ‘ contain China’ policy as their strategic partner. Actually it was due to their support and nod that Modi scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution ending special status of the State and followed by its annexation to the Indian Union as well as the promulgation of the new domicile law to change the demographic realities in the State. According to a report published in the Los Angeles Times the Indian government did take President Trump into confidence before going ahead with its move to scrap Article 370 and its annexation to the Indian Union.
Their strategic partnership is very ominous for Pakistan as well as the greatest hurdle in the resolution of the Kashmir issue in the foreseeable future. Their lukewarm response to the illegal Indian actions in India-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in violation of UNSC resolutions and the persecution of Kashmiris is enough to corroborate and reinforce this view. Signing of civil nuclear technology deal by US with India in violation of NPT and the efforts to make her permanent member of UNSC, also provide ranting testimony to their hypocrisy. UNSC in spite of acknowledging the need for resolution of the Kashmir issue in conformity with principles of the UN Charter and the relevant resolution is also helpless in regards to having its resolutions implemented. India and USA are also trying to sabotage CPEC and they mince no words about it.
It is indeed a very worrying and frustrating situation for Pakistan. However, it is satisfying to note that by acquiring nuclear capability and effective response to Indian ‘ cold start’ doctrine and maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrent Pakistan has eliminated the chances of India ever daring to attack her or engage her in a full-fledged war. Our battled hardened armed forces are prepared and ready to thwart aggressive designs of the enemy, which they proved in February 2019 and continue to do so in response to Indian firing along the LoC. Pakistan is indeed confronted with grave challenges. Besides her preparedness to ward off these challenges militarily it also needs strong economy and an impregnable national unity. Therefore all stakeholders need to give serious thought to this proposition. Country needs stability. Politicking can wait for better times.
— The writer is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
