Robert Blackwill. PHOTO: Samuel LaHoz/Intelligence Squared US
“Every Indian prime minister, since the attack on the parliament in Delhi 15 years ago, has seriously considered a military response to such incidents but stepped back,” Former US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill told reporters during a conference call organised by think-tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). “I believe sentiments inside India have changed substantially and I think the incumbent premier, Narendra Modi, is unlikely to step back.”
“If there is a major terror bid, links to which are found in Pakistan, I think the India prime minister is likely to use military force. It is not a certainty, though,” Blackwill said.
The former diplomat, who is also known to be a keen observer of South Asian affairs, said Modi’s predecessors have been briefed by the Indian military but never went forward on their advice. This, he said, may change given that Modi’s personality is different from previous Indian head of states and that the public opinion in the country has also changed.
Stephen Cohen, senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institute, agreed with the former diplomat that Prime Minister Modi’s response to a terrorist attack emanating from Pakistan would be different from his predecessors.
“If there was another Mumbai attack-like offensive, which I do not think is likely to happen, the Indian response may be different,” Cohen said.
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@Maqsood Ahmed Soomro:
There a huge question marks on who actually carried out Mumbai attack, Indian Parliament attack, and teh recent fishing boat sinking incident.
There are strong suspicions they were false flag ops by Indian intelligence to discredit Pakistan. so they can easily engineer another self inflicted wound.
In the event of any attack, I suspect Pakistan's response will be swift and very painful to the Indian armed forces.
It comes as no surprise at all.India was yearning to do it for a while and perhaps now they have the muscle to back thier claim.
UN Resolutions on Kashmir should be implemented.
India should stop supporting the TTP and BLA backed terror in Pakistan.
I think the Indians will get a rude surprise in the event of any stupid incursion into or attack on Pakistan.
Let them dream.
What an immature statement. As if we are sitting here with our hands tied to our backs. Obviously there will be strikes back on India and no one will win. Only destruction.
ET please publish I dont know why you keep blocking my comments.
@zara: You dont even feel an iota of shame in invoking the name of Allah ! Why would Allah make it difficult for India and not Pakistan that fosters terrorism?
Tell Modi its not the helpless people you killed. You better watch it! The Duranies, Ghaznawies, Suries, Yousafzais, Khattaks and so on are still their on the north west of Pakistan!
@raider : What the Senator meant is that Modi will go after your infrastructure - electricity, water, roads, etc.
By saying about all these imaginary and nonsense threats they only tempted both the countries to buy more arms from them. Lawmakers of both the countries should understand this.
Lolz...so funny
His Excellency, you should know that India does not have the physical capability right now to carry out a successful surgical strike let alone have the courage / will to do so.
Yes, India is trying very hard to increase the level of mobility of its forces, which is some time away (the massive purchase order of US Built Transport Helos / Craft, Lightweight Artillery etc ) but gordian-knot to all this is Pak is also systematically upgrading its capacity all be it on slow but steady pace.
So, at the end it will be a 'No Joy'
Oh, by the way your excellency, any other Samjhota like incident and your beloved 21st Century partner won't be in a position to 'pivot' you against China
regards,
And vice versa. Next attack on pakistan from Afghanistan soil will need a fix in India
What the diplomat is saying is widely known. India has three military options on it's horizon.
1) Local punitive action and withdrawl
2) Generalised attack with main thrust in Kashmir.
3) The horrible unthinkable---Nuclear option.
The much maligned President Musharraf was alive to all the above that is why he mentioned the 15 miles option of going nuclear if this limit was exeeded. Being a soldier he knew where Lahore is situated.
lol. india has been behind TTP all this long. We should nuke delhi if the Indians wish to act like bullies.
India plz check your weapons and have go through international reports about Pakistan s' weaponry and nuclear arsenal, also be conscious that Pakistan carrying nuclear weapons with full-fledged, ballistic and cruise missiles with a vibrant air force. Any naïve hitler agenda follower could help do this