The writer is a former ambassador and currently the executive director of Center for International Strategic Studies
While minor violations across the LoC are, more often than not, the norm, it is also true that the ceasefire has remained operative for more than a decade now. During 2012 alone, there have been around 80 instances of minor technical violations by both sides. On no occasion has any such incident caused Pakistan-India tension to flare up. Therefore, the question that begs itself is, why has this happened now? The point to be taken note of is that tension along the LoC has the potential of aborting and disrupting the nascent peace process that has been developing between our two countries. In the present instance, it has already caused this damage, with Singh saying that there cannot be business as usual with Pakistan.
At this juncture, the point to ponder is: how do we ‘manage’ our relations with India to avoid such pitfalls? The knee-jerk reaction is to indulge in tit-for-tat behaviour, i.e., behave as badly as the other side. Many years ago, a diplomatic colleague of another country observed thus: “Both Indians and Pakistanis are nice people towards others, but it is incredible how nasty they can be to each other!”However, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s statement in the National Assembly on January 21 struck the right note, by reiterating Pakistan’s resolve to maintain the policy of non-escalation with India, despite the LoC flare-up. In this context, the minister also repeated Pakistan’s proposal for an impartial investigation of the recent violations by the designated UN observers’ group in the area, UNMOGIP. She said that “we will not fall prey” to any provocation from the other side. So it is, as they say, so far, so good.
Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, be it Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka. Faced with a larger and a contentious country next door, we would be ill-advised to take up cudgels all the time. Secondly, our historical experience teaches us that it does not produce results. Hence, a non-contentious and dignified response is a better option. In the fullness of time, the Indians will come round to resuming bilateral interaction and get back on the peace process track, as happened after the hiatus following Mumbai.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Ghaznavi:
We have not forgotten East Pakistan
Well, don't worry about it. If you have forgotten your Hindu/ Budhist ancestors, and your Ahmadi compatriots, some day you will forget Bengali East Pakistanis also. Just focus on your Arab/ Turkish/ Afghani/ Irani 'sires'.
@gp65.:
"“We have not forgotten East Pakistan” Good so hopefully you know that the equation of 1 Momin equals ten Hindus is not really true."
The equation is still true, but, lucky you are, we are no longer Momins. Wait a minute, that does not mean we are dead either or suffering with amnesia. You being bigger will never frighten us ever, and your dreams of unabated hegemony in the region will always be a dream.
@Ghaznavi:
Very well said. With demented mindset and twisted logic these Indian trolls are fooling none but only themselves.
the theory of friendship is almost impossible, we are thinking that we can remove the mountain of hurdles, both side aggressive elements would not allow this task, and friend ship with India is dream for at least current century; both nation may need to forget the issue of friendship, and for 20 years they first remove the corruption and poverty; then they can be able for friendship;
bilaleconomist@hotmail.com
To cure addiction acknowledgement of addiction is necessary. The same problem in this opinion as well.
Handover Mumbai fellows who are freely supported in PAK, if managing relations with India is a serious desire. It is an unfinished business and it is not going to go away-US is firmer on this than India.
The US has clearly drawn a line where it stands in India -Pak relations since Kargil. No PM of India or US President will ever visit PAK until Mumbai is resolved.
@ Author: China has problems with India, Vietnam and USSR (Russia) with whom she fought wars in the past; now it has problems with even those countries with whom it has no land border such as Japan, Philipines, Indonesia and South Korea and soon it will have problems with Burma (Mynmar) when the regime is taken over by democratic forces. That menas China has hostile relations with almost half of the humanily or half of the land mass of the planet. You can add USA as well in the list.
China has best relations with Pakistan (Military only) and No Korea and both countriesa are considered rogue nations by the civilized worlds.
Do you have courage to point your finger at China, the way you characterise India having problems with ALL of its neighbor without any basis?
Judging by the comments, Indians obsessed with Pakistan! This Pakistan-fixation is quite entertaining besides being a compliment considering the plethora of India's internal crises.
@Ghaznavi: Dude.. What are you smoking??
Apalled by the 'depth' ,or lack of, in the argument which can be summarised as - India is to be blamed for everything
@gp65 : well said
@Ghaznavi: "What you (Indian) people are unable to understand that unless there is closure for past events (i.e. Kashmir, 1965, East Pakistan 1971, Siachen, Brass tacks, Cold start, samjhota express, ayodha, gujrat, bombay massacres) all future reactions from Pakistan will be seen through this prism”
Interesting. SO let me tell you what any reasonable country would find as closure:
1) 1965: Pakistan attacked using regular soldiers but pretending that it was tribals attacking Inida. India defended. At the time of ceasefire India held far more of Pakistani land than viceversa. Yet both countries returned respective land.
2) 1971: 90,000 of your soldiers were protected from the wrath of Bengalis who were eager to get revenge for Operation Searchlight. They were treated honorably consistent with Genva conventions and freed without any quid pro quo.
3) Siachen: Per Simla agreement both countries had to stay on their respective side of LOC. The LOC was physically demarcated until NJ 9842 and it said thence North to the glaciers. By this definition Siachen was on Indian side of LOC. Liek Kargill, Pakistan tried to occupy it but unlike Kargill, Indians found out and occupied it prior to Pakistani forces reaching there. This is a fact that is confirmed by your own army personnel.
4) Operation Brass Tacks : Ever since end of Afghan jihad, Pakistan used to send non-state actors to infiltrate India and tens of thousands of Indian civilians were killed hundreds of thousands became homeless. Finally in December 2001, Pakistan facilitated attack on India's parliament and in response India brought its forces to LOC to send a clear signal that cross border infiltration had to end. An outcome of this was a mutually agreed ceasefire in 2003. India did not cross the line.
5) Samjhauta Express, Godhra, Bombay riots etc. have nothing to do with Pakistan. These happened in India and Indian government is sincere and serious in ensuring the guilty are punished.
6) Cold Start- Huh? This is supposedly a strategy of Indian army which has nt been implemented. What does it have to do with Pakkstan?
"We have not forgotten East Pakistan"
Good so hopefully you know that the equation of 1 Momin equals ten Hindus is not really true. Sadly this has not informed your army leadership which continues to try its tricks and contrinues to be surprised by the aggressive responsive from India.
@Ghaznavi: "What you (Indian) people are unable to understand that unless there is closure for past events (i.e. Kashmir, 1965, East Pakistan 1971, Siachen, Brass tacks, Cold start, samjhota express, ayodha, gujrat, bombay massacres) all future reactions from Pakistan will be seen through this prism” "
Interesting. SO let me tell you what any reasonable country would find as closure:
1) 1965: Pakistan attacked using regular soldiers but pretending that it was tribals attacking Inida. India defended. At the time of ceasefire India held far more of Pakistani land than viceversa. Yet both countries returned respective land.
2) 1971: 90,000 of your soldiers were protected from the wrath of Bengalis who were eager to get revenge for Operation Searchlight. They were treated honorably consistent with Genva conventions and freed without any quid pro quo.
3) Siachen: Per Simla agreement both countries had to stay on their respective side of LOC. The LOC was physically demarcated until NJ 9842 and it said thence North to the glaciers. By this definition Siachen was on Indian side of LOC. Liek Kargill, Pakistan tried to occupy it but unlike Kargill, Indians found out and occupied it prior to Pakistani forces reaching there. This is a fact that is confirmed by your own army personnel.
4) Operation Brass Tacks : Ever since end of Afghan jihad, Pakistan used to send non-state actors to infiltrate India and tens of thousands of Indian civilians were killed hundreds of thousands became homeless. Finally in December 2001, Pakistan facilitated attack on India's parliament and in response India brought its forces to LOC to send a clear signal that cross border infiltration had to end. An outcome of this was a mutually agreed ceasefire in 2003. India did not cross the line.
5) Samjhauta Express, Godhra, Bombay riots etc. have nothing to do with Pakistan. These happened in India and Indian government is sincere and serious in ensuring the guilty are punished.
6) Cold Start- Huh? This is supposedly a strategy of Indian army which has nt been implemented. What does it have to do with Pakkstan?
You perhaps have not been told the facts but this is what they are.
@pakiindi: we can't forget Mumbai! full stop!
@author: ” … Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, … “
Fortunately for the rest of world, Pakistan is a hub of international Islamic terrorism with a finger on nuclear button and that is a predicament that one fifth of of Human population shares with the rest of the humanity.
Even the usually taciturn army chief of Pakistan has lamented,
“Disillusionment, desperation, religious bigotry, political disharmony and discord seem to permeate our lives.”
@ Gratgy
Let me rephrase your comment with little changes:
"What you (Indian) people are unable to understand that unless there is closure for past events (i.e. Kashmir, 1965, East Pakistan 1971, Siachen, Brass tacks, Cold start, samjhota express, ayodha, gujrat, bombay massacres) all future reactions from Pakistan will be seen through this prism"
Keep living in the past and continue the denials. We have not forgotten East Pakistan when India armed, financed and infiltrated into Pakistan to conduct a genocide, we will never forget just like you will not forget Bombay!! First get down to your knees and apologize for your role in East Pakistan.
"Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, be it Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka."
The above sentence aptly sums up the sentiments of a large majority of Pakistanis. Indian leadership need to realize this while formulating policies towards its smaller neighbors.
@author. India has no interest in resuming talks with pakistan, after what happened in mumbai. one opportunity was offered in 5 years, and pakistan blew it up again. No country in the world wants any relationship with pakistan, because it encourages terrorism as state policy, and is a rogue state with a rogue army.
@Author
” … Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour....."
How true! This is the best piece on the subject to have ever appeared in ET.
Fortunately for Hindu India, it could never have wished for a more congenial and friendly neighbour than Pakistan. If India had the basic intelligence to recognize this divine fact, all our problems would have been solved decades ago to our entire satisfaction. Kashmir would have continued to remain the heaven-on-earth that it was, and as peaceful as us.
I have no doubt India will ignore the sage advice contained in this wonderful article. Bad luck for all Indians, but what can we do?
Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, be it Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka.
India has good relations with all three countries. In fact we have free trade agreements with all of them which has greatly benefitted their economies. We have preferential visa agreements as well.
This is more than what one can say of Pakistan's relations with other countries both near and far.
As for the "knee jerk" reactions, What you people are unable to understand that unless there is closure for past events (i.e. Mumbai) all future reactions from India will be seen through the prism of the immediate previous event. The reaction to the next provocation from Pakistan will be even more hostile.
Provocations such as Mumbai might get old but they wont be forgotten
Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, be it Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka. And yet you have worse relations with India than them all put together - I wonder why?
@author: " ... Unfortunately for us, India is a difficult neighbour and this is a predicament that we share with all its other smaller neighbours, ... "
It is for a reason that Pakistan got called an "international migraine".