Hostile language

Indian defence minister's remarks reflect a basic lack of understanding of the situation in Indian Kashmir

The potential dangers involved in having a hardline government, known to be hostile to Pakistan, had been the subject of intense debate in our country last year as it became clear the BJP government would be sweeping to power in New Delhi. We are now beginning to see in real terms the outcome of this, with India’s Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, taking both hostility, and it would seem a lack of good sense, to new heights. Mr Parrikar, who a few days ago had stated that terrorists should be used to tackle terrorists, has now said in an interview to a major Indian newspaper that in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir ,“targeted killings” of “terrorists” were being carried out. Mr Parrikar stated: “Many terrorists are drawn into terrorism because of financial allurements ... they are paid money for it. If such people are there, why not use them? What is the harm is using terrorists against terrorists?”

Mr Parrikar’s remarks and attitude in the first place reflect a basic lack of understanding of the situation in the portion of Kashmir his country controls. Years of abuses of basic rights by the Indian security forces have created the intense sense of injustice and turmoil that exists in the Valley. It can be resolved by addressing the problems faced by the people, granting them their democratic rights and addressing the sense of alienation that many Kashmiris feel towards the Indian state.

Mr Parrikar’s blinkered vision is terrifying. His comments about using terrorists against terrorists strongly suggest, as senior Pakistani members of government have already pointed out, that India has acknowledged it is using terrorists in Pakistan. While this may or may not be true, this is nevertheless a highly unfortunate development in the context of ties between the two countries and also for the region as a whole which would benefit immensely from better ties between India and Pakistan. Mr Parrikar seems to be bent on attempting to work against this and thereby worsening the situation for all.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th,  2015.

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