THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK-
Ramesh Chander –
The writer, Ambassador Ramesh Chander is a Retired Career Diplomat.
With the Pahalgam terrorist attack and massacre, India and Pakistan are once again facing each other with a worrisome and dangerous intent. Pakistan has willfully created this mess to address its internal geo-political situation – Baluchistan issue, Relations with Afghanistan and Iran, Integration of J&K with India, Deteriorating situation in POK and fast dwindling socio-economic standing resulting in loosening of army control on the overall administration of the country. With this, obviously, Pakistan has increasing become a hot potato for the international community. There is a saying in Punjabi ‘Majh Dudh Na Deve Tan Katte Dian Lattan Bhano – If buffalo does not allow milking, punish the Katta (child of Buffalo)’. The armed forces of Pakistan are in a hurry to retrieve their stronghold on Pakistan in one way or the other – either by escalating tensions with India, their traditional foe or preparing for over-throwing of the so-called democratic government like General Zia-ul-Haq and General Parvez Musharaf, the predecessors of General Asif Munir.
With this background, the unfortunate but high provocative happenings of Pahalgam are nothing new but are only a natural corollary of things to come. Obviously, India cannot and will not be oblivious of the emerging scenario to defend and ensure her security and dignity as a responsible country not only towards the 140 crore people of India but also to the world at large. Let us examine and see but could be done to show Pakistan its place – What next? Our aim and objective should be to teach a lesson to the hostile neighbor to end these day to day provocations avoiding the ‘outright war’. It is easy to say than done as we are to deal with a ‘rogue state’ called Pakistan. Pakistani rulers say Pak Army intends to divert Pak public opinion about the problems of Pakistan both internal and external and also their deteriorating economic situation. India comes handy to carry forward their nefarious designs. On the other hand, India is a democratic 
country with a clear agenda of development and welfare of its huge population. How shall we deal with this hostile neighbor? It is difficult proposition. India is a peace loving country of Gautama the Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. PM Narendra Modi’s government has been made to do a tight rope walk. But there is no way out. We need to respond not only to save and defend our security and sovereignty but also to address the pent up anger of the people of India. India has enough strength and capacity to defeat Pakistan in a conventional war on ground and a sound diplomatic machinery to face them in the international arena. The only thing which is required today is political will and leadership. The armed forces and the people are in a hurry to do the job and show the enemy its place. No half-hearted approach would work, it seems. It has to be a well planned and executed ‘Aar-Paar Ki Ladai’ to put it in PM Atal Behari’s words. The GOI is fully mandated to take decision in this regard to teach a lesson to the hostile neighbor. We have full faith in PM Narendra Modi’s government. As of now, GOI has given a clear order and authority to its armed forces and other security agencies to take whatever necessary actions are needed to give a befitting response to Pakistan’s proxy war against India.
What could be our response? Let us see and discuss –
ii) Naval blockade of Pakistan – The maritime interests of Pakistan should be hit by tightening the noose in the Arabian Sea. It is needed to hit Pakistan not only economically (trade etc.) but also its energy needs (gas and oil).
iii) Support liberation and independence of Baluchistan, the only unfinished agenda of partition of 1947. India may engage with Iran and Afghanistan in the surgical strike as both Iran and Afghanistan are equally fed up of the Pakistani hegemony in Baluchistan.
All said and done, there cannot be two opinions on the fact that the situation is grim and difficult. India as a peace loving country does not intend to escalate the tensions but India has to defend and guard its security and sovereignty at all costs. One thing is clear and the GOI and ‘We the people of India’ must understand that nobody would help us and we are to do and defend ourselves on our own. Everybody is busy and interested in watching and ensuring one’s own interest. All big and small powers would cry from the roof tops to ‘exercise constraint’. Pakistan is a past master in exploiting the situation and would tend to conveniently walk away. India should not permit it happen, come what may. Pakistan has no capacity and guts to pass the nuclear threshold, if still it opts for self-destruction, let it be. Pakistan shall not be permitted to resort to ‘nuclear blackmail’ and get away. Pakistani bluff has to be called off to live in peace.
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है
वक़्त आने दे दिखा देंगे तुझे ऐ आसमाँ
हम अभी से क्यूँ बताएँ क्या हमारे दिल में है
