The gathering storm

Indian authorities continue to take an aggressive stance which has become even more evident in wake of the Uri attack


Editorial September 21, 2016
Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces on Eidul Azha during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

The UN General Assembly and attack on the Indian military base which left 17 personnel dead have precipitated matters in the deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and India. Both countries have been engaged in a war of words which they had threatened to escalate during their respective visits to the UN General Assembly. Lobbying on both sides is now being reflected in statements issued by various countries that have begun to take sides on the Kashmir issue. Most recently, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has urged India to stop its hostile activities in Kashmir that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries over the past couple of months. The OIC has reflected Pakistan’s stance on the matter which focuses more on the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and the need to resolve this issue peacefully.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities continue to take an aggressive stance which has become even more evident in the wake of the Uri attack. No longer content with issuing threats to Pakistan, the Indian government now intends to gather evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the attack in order to isolate the country from its international allies. In the immediate aftermath of the Uri attack there was talk of cross border retaliation, however, according to sources the Indian government now plans to use other options to pin the blame on Pakistan and exact retribution. The effects of this policy are already being felt. On September 21, two US lawmakers who are well known to be Indian lobbyists have moved a bill to declare Pakistan a “state sponsor of terrorism”. There is now an immediate need for both countries to make significant efforts to reopen diplomatic channels before this situation escalates any further. For the good of the Kashmiri people who are having to live through one of the worst periods of violence in recent times and for the collective good of both countries, diplomacy must be the only way forward. The international community too, must play its part in helping to improve relations between both countries rather than fuelling the fire over the coming few critical weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2016.

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COMMENTS (5)

ahmed41 | 7 years ago | Reply Thought for the day All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal. — John Steinbeck
Toticalling | 7 years ago | Reply Thank you for a very sensible assessment of the situation. Pakistan has an image problem which does not inspire even liberal people in the West to talk against the oppressors of Kashmiris. There are more than 600000 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir and in spite of that the situation is out of control. I am sure India will not be able to win the hearts of Kashmiris in another 100 years. India cleverly turns the blame on Pakistan for all the troubles. There was a time when Sikhs wanted freedom and India blamed Pakistan. It appears India has won over more Sikhs on their side and one may ask if Pakistan was involved, how come Punjab is quiet? But it should in Pakistan's interest to make sure that no terror acts are done by anybody from Pakistan.
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