INDIA has once again hurled threats on Pakistan with its Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claiming his country may resume Operation Sindoor, saying it has only been paused and could be restarted depending on Pakistan’s conduct. Speaking during an interaction with the Indian community in Morocco on Monday, he boasted India targeted ‘militant hideouts’ hundred kilometers inside Pakistani territory following the Pahalgam attack and resumption of the operation depends on their (Pakistan) conduct, adding “If they indulge in terrorist activities, they will get a reply”.
A similar statement was earlier made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the operation was not concluded but merely halted but some analysts argued the Indian leadership was indulging in mere face-saving in the backdrop of a clear defeat at the hands of Pakistan defence forces. They believed such statements were churned out by some leaders in New Delhi to boost morale of their people, which was at the lowest and also to support the eroding popularity of PM Modi. However, coming from most relevant persons, these threats should not be taken lightly as they are indicative of no change in aggressive designs of India against Pakistan. Such statements are highly regrettable as Pakistani leadership has repeatedly offered substantive talks to India on all issues including Jammu and Kashmir, water and terrorism as reiterated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his address to the Pakistani community in London. Pakistan has demonstrated its capability to defend itself but despite that it wants peaceful engagement with India to address all issues and concerns but India is still banking on use of force and blackmail tactics as highlighted by suspension of Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Given perennial malice of India towards Pakistan, there is every reason to remain vigilant to respond to any misadventure in future on any pretext. Our policy and decision makers should listen to the warning of one of the finest foreign policy experts Munir Akram who said India will surely try to target Pakistan once again to restore its falling image in the comity of nations. India must know that people of Pakistan are willing to go to any extent to defend their sovereignty and any misadventure will deepen scars of defeat that Indian leaders are trying to hide. If India can enact Part-II of Sindoor then Pakistan is also ready to go for Part-II of Bunyan al Marsoos.
