Pakistan is at it again – and at its heinous worst. The martyrdom of over 40 Jawans in Pulwama is provocation of a very serious nature and the Modi government must respond to this with ingenious dexterity rather than vacillating over such attacks in the past, which cost the nation dearly. The covert ties between the Jaish militant network and the Pakistani military’s ISI are well-known. They often act in unison. This must hence be seen as a war-like scenario.
To our mind, the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status is a vain exercise; its impact too little. Or, take the other threat held out by India after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met, that India would use all its diplomatic influence to isolate Pakistan at the global fora. This is no more than wishful thinking. With able support from China, and to an extent from the US too, Pakistan gets what it wants from the UN etc. India does not get much backing in such situations from the US, in real terms, as Americans are friends with Pakistan to keep the balance in the sub-continent and offset China’s ambitions. India’s failure to take strong diplomatic positions is to our disadvantage.
India’s weak responses to grave provocations from Pakistan in the past have, prima facie, brought things to such an unfortunate pass. In dealing with Pakistan, the Modi government proved to be no better than that of its predecessor, the UPA II led by Manmohan Singh. India faced major hits, including attacks on its military establishments in Uri and Pathankot in recent years. The Jaish, which took responsibility for the Pulwama attack, is nurtured in Pakistani soil and it enjoys the goodwill of the political establishment there. It’s leaders are roaming around freely there.
Closer home, the Governor of J&K has admitted to an intelligence failure There should have been high alert after a kin of a Jaish leader was killed in Kashmir. Also, Governor Satyapal Malik would need to explain why he reduced security drills at check posts.
The Modi government is at the doorsteps of fresh parliament polls. It either needs to act in a firm manner or invite retribution from voters. Promises of tough responses from the Prime Minister, no longer carry much weight. Such talks were made in the past by the PM and his former defence minister Manohar Parrikar. Nothing much happened on the ground. The nation today is angry and pained.