Dear Senthil

 

The external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee is taking a rather bellicose stand with regard to Pakistan. This has been a very common approach by most Indian statesman with regard to this neighbour. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan a nation created (14th August 1947) and having imbibed within themselves a bundle of misconceptions, misunderstandings, skepticism and negativity. A 'Political Aberration' as had been referred to by Jawaharlal Nehru or a result of Muslim Sub-nationalism Pakistan has never been accepted by the Indian leadership with grace. The attitude of this nation towards India too has been negative and bellicose as a matter of 'State Policy' wherein the dispute of Kashmir has further aggravated the situation. The dismemberment of Pakistan with the creation of Bangladesh out of East Pakistan in 1971 and the support given by the Government of India to the 'MUKTI BAHINI' an organization that had spear headed the insurgency operations in East Pakistan against the West Pakistan political establishment.  India has always considered this support they had rendered to the 'MUKTI BAHINI' as support to justice and human rights on the pretext of the influx of refugees coming to India. The problem that had been largely an internal matter of Pakistan was used by the then Government of India; against World Opinion; to carve out an independent nation which they did successfully. The debacle of 1971 created a deeper sense of insecurity in the Pakistani mind and as a retaliatory gesture they supported the Khalistan Movement in Punjab, continue to support the Separatists in Jammu and Kashmir that they claim to be a 'Freedom Struggle' of the Kashmiri people and even the insurgency movements in the North Eastern Part of India. It is only now that the approach of the Government of Pakistan had turned over to a new leaf that has suddenly been closed because of the Terrorist Attack in Mumbai.  The Indian media has turned hostile towards Pakistan and so have the 'hawks' in the Indian political circles to be reciprocated by the 'Pakistani hawks' that may ultimately end up with the Indo-Pak boundaries getting heated up. There can be another way of perceiving this problem by viewing it as an opportunity in disguise. India can take the initiative of now building up the confidence level of Pakistan and instead of only accusing their neighbour and slanderous attacks come to the negotiation table and sort out the complete issue without considering a military strike option.  The general passions are no doubt running high but sanity lies in sorting out the issue and converting this environment to one where Pakistan themselves fight the Talibans along with the US support and the tension on the Indo-Pak boundary reduces to its lowest.

Manoj Joshi

C-603, Goodwill Garden CHS

Plot 15-16, Kharghar

Sector 8, Navi Mumbai - 410210