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| Pakistan follows Chinese strategy of unnerving neighbours | | | Early Times Special Correspondent
Jammu | May 20
Even the new civilian regime in Pakistan seemingly follows the Chinese policy of unnerving the neighbour for forcing it to negotiate on resolving bilateral disputes on the terms set by Beijing.This is what China has been doing with India since 1962 when it threw to winds Hindi Cheeni Bhai Bhai relationship by waging a war against India.
Whether under the military dictatorship or under the civilian rule Islamabad in general and the Pakistani Army in particular have been seen combining terrorism with peace process.It provides aid to militants by proxy and demonstrates its support for confidence
building measures with India directly.In fact the establishment in Pakistan has been encouraged in bleeding India,in many ways,by the ill conceived notion of the United States that in its fight against terrorism,especially ag ainst the Talibans and the men of the Al Qaeda,it could bank on Pakistan's support. During the last several years Islamabad has sided with the United States when the latter launched
operations against terrorists in Afghanistan and later in Iraq.Islamabad promised to the American President George Bush that it would launch operations against the Talibans and the Al Qaeda,camping in the Pak-Afghan border belt.However, these operations have
been merely cosmetic in order to ensure military and economic aid from America.
The new civilian Government in Islamabad had adopted a policy which was in vogue during the time Gen Parvez Musharraf headed the Government.How so ? The Pakistan Peoples Party led Government has,on one side,keeps on needling the Indian border with sporadic firing for facilitating infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir,on the other it has started buying peace with Al Qaeda and the Talibans.Those who blame Islamabad for trying to force Delhi to settle the Kashmir issue on the terms set by Pakistan argue that had it not been the case the Government across the border would have taken steps to ensure zero infiltration when it knew that the composite dialogue between the two sides
was to begin from May 20.Instead of doing it the Pakistani troops opened fire on the Indian forces at Samba,Poonch and Tangdhar.The purpose of this breezy violation of the ceasefire was aimed at aiding militants in infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir.
Not only this:terrorists aided and trained across the border carried out serial bomb blasts in Jaipur killing 80 people and wounding 200 others.If Pakistan was setting the stage for the composite dialogue at the level of foreign secretaries and ministers of the two sides it should have seen to it that its troops behaved properly on the border and it should have directed militants,operating in Jammu and Kashmir and in rest of India, to avoid vitiating the atmosphere which could cast its shadow on the upcoming talks. Even without accepting Gen. Parvez Musharraf's four-point proposal on Kashmir Delhi had already taken steps for having open border for promoting people to people contact.It had supported the demand for starting crossborder trade on the routes which have been opened for traffic.It has also been favouring opening of more routes for facilitating people on either side of the LOC to enjoy the benefits of a hassle free journey.
It has gone a step further by desisting from giving a free hand to the security forces for tackling the activities of militants.The Army strings have been tightened to the extent that the troops feel demoralised.With Delhi adopting defensive postures despite Islamabad being on the offensive security forces in the state had no other alternative but to be also on the defensive.Though the two sides may restart their deliberations on the need for controlling crossborder terrorism when the External Affairs Minister,Pranab Mukherjee,meets his counterpart,Shah Mahmood Qureshi,in Islamabad on Wednesday the results of this exercise may also prove depressing.And if Washington is sincere in ending terrorism it should lend full support to Delhi and tame Islamabad by
ordering economic squeeze. |
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