Addressing a rally at Kozhikode, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the sacrifice of 18 jawans at Uri but refused to rush to precipitate action. Instead he said, India will do its best to isolate Pakistan globally and its state-sponsored terrorism. He however drew a line between the Pakistani establishment and the people of the country. It is a much wiser approach than attacking everything connected with Pakistan. The US has realised that its pro-Pakistan policy has run into serious obstacles. It is common knowledge that without billions of dollars in US aid pouring into Islamabad, the country will be on the rocks. It is folly to fund the country which has facilitated terror killing over 3600 soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan. New Delhi should stress the fact that there is no logic in pouring billions of dollars into Pakistan with the result that it loses more than it did on 9/11. What is more, if the Taliban win the war in Afghanistan, a repeat of 9/11 is not unlikely. It should be impressed upon the US that its aid to Pakistan should be replaced by sanctions by hitting out at the Pakistan army and the ISI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already launched the diplomatic offensive at the G20 meeting. It is true that the powerful moves made by India may not achieve instant success. The recent Russia-Pakistan military joint action should logically undermine the traditional US-Pakistan ties. The cold war tensions between the US and Soviet Russia may be revived as a result of Pakistan getting close to Russia in the military area and be to India’s advantage. It should be so even if the anti-Indian Donald Trump finally walks into the Oval room and starts his xenophobic jihad. Delhi and Kabul are Washington’s real friends as should be conveyed by India to the US. And this alliance should extend to the EU, the UK, China and the Gulf countries. India itself can initiate sanctions by identifying an extensive list of enterprises doing business with the Pakistan military and its ISI and refusing to have anything to do with them. India should also try to exclude Pakistan from SAARC. Of course Pakistan may retaliate with terror attacks but India can take it.
