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| Closer understanding Between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan Needed | | | Balraj Puri | 6/14/2011 8:47:45 PM |
| ISI chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha warned India that any Abbotabad like attack by it would invite a befitting response from Pakistan as targets inside the country had already been identified and rehearsal carried out. Pasha’s warning came as he addressed the in incamera joint session of the senate and National Assembly on May 13.
He repeated the warning the of Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, who was the first senior official of his country to speak to a news conference on the killing of al-Queda chief Osama bin Laden, who had said any country that attempts to mimic the unilateral act of the US would find “it has made a basic miscalculation and is indulging in misadventure.”
Both were reacting to the remarks by Indian Army Chief General VK Singh that Indian forces had the capability to mount raids like the pre-dawn assault on the mansion in garrison town near army cantonment in Abbotabad that resulted in killing of Ossama bin Laden. He reflected rising anti-Pakistan sentiment in India as many find it a rare opportunity to avenge 26/11 Mumbai attack and target terrorist leaders like Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed and Zikiur Rehman Lakhvi whose addresses are known to every body unlike Osama who was living in cognitio.
Potentiality of Indian forces is not in doubt. But before undertaking any such adventure, the differences between the roles of America and India and alternatives best suited to the national interest should be considered. The operation is estimated to have cost America three trillion dollars. Moreover, its forces and intelligence agencies were operating in Pakistan for over a decade with the consent of the government. There is admittedly visible resentment that may have been caused among the people in Pakistan over the secret action of America, in violationing its sovereignty and without the knowledge of its government. But the government is trying to offer explanation about its inefficiency or incapability for not knowing the whereabouts of Ossama and not keeping America informed. Its Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani announced on May 9 an inquiry into intelligence failure. Whatever differences might exist between the two countries, both are keen to maintain their strategic alliance against terrorism. Pak premier attached high importance to relations with America.
India cannot compare itself with the only super power of the world. Nor it has its net work as entrenched in Pakistan as America had. Any overt or covert action by India within Pakistan will only help its government to convert anti-America sentiment of its people into anti-India sentiment. Even America would not approve of such action. Its State Department has already pointed out the vast difference between 9/11, which took a toll of 3000 human lives, and 26/11 in which casualty was 166. Moreover, war against terrorism has yet to be won within Afghanistan. Any action by India would only force Pakistan to divert its forces from Western to Eastern front. Already it has sounded high alert not only along LoC, in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh but along the entire Indian border. Indo-Pak tension will also push Pakistan closer to China, where its Prime Minister was assured of China’s friendship and offered joint manufacture of 50 Jets fighter when he visited China recently.
No doubt India cannot afford to be complacent about threat of terrorism. So is it to Pakistan only in a much greater degree. Where according to Pakistan Prime Minister, 39,000 persons have been killed by terrorists. It is therefore, also, in the interest of Pakistan to seek India’s support to fight the common menace. Even America has supported India’s claim for extradition of Pakistan based terrorist leaders, responsible for Mumbai attack.
India has a stake in the current fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. It has made investments in many constructive and welfare enterprises. The main indigenous terrorist force there is that of Taliban which has Pushtoon ethnic base, on both sides of the Durand line which divides it from Pakistan. Al Quade has no local ethnic base. It was imported to Afghanistan by USA to provide ideological support to Taliban to fight against Soviet occupation in 1980’s.
Al Quade believes in Salfi Islam, the most radical brand of Islam which Saudi Arabia is exporting to many countries, including Pakistan while Talibans believes in Deobandi Islam which is of Indian origin. It was al Queda which was inspiring most of the terrorist groups in the rest of Pakistan which are posing threat to India. As governments of Pakistan and America might succeed in weakening al Quade with its symbol and source of inspiration gone, it should be easier to deal with Talibans. It has not only to be dealt with through arms but also through political means to satisfy their ethnic urges.
Their legendary leader Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was a close colleagues of Mahatma Gandhi and was along with him a leader of the non-violent movement for India’s independence and opposed formation of Pakistan. The key to Pushtoon sentiment is provided in a statement of his son Wali Mohammad Khan in which he said, “I am a Pakistani for 50 years, a Muslim for 1400 years and a Pushtoon for 5000 Years.” Mere religious appeal of al Quade was not enough to satisfy their aspirations.
First step in that direction should be to reorganise Afghanistan on some sort of federal system where Pushtoon and other ethnic communities should have some measure of autonomy. As far Pushtoon in North West of Pakistan are concerned, they should have an easy access to their counterparts in Afghanistan by making Durand line soft. Greatest injustice to Pakistani province of Pushtoons was being done by calling their province as NWFP which only denoted a sense of direction where it lay. Only recently it has been named Khyber Pushtoonwah. As India has better experience of dealing with ethnic diversities, its involvement in evolving an Afghanistan policy should be welcome by America and Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister has done well in visiting Afghanistan at earliest opportunity where he received very warm welcome. He emphasized thousand of years old common civilisational link between the two countries and offered to increase economic aid to it by $500 millions.
It would be in the interest of Pakistan to seek India’s help in resolving problems in Afghanistan instead of accusing it for fomenting trouble there. A peaceful and contented Pakistan should be welcome to India also.
Rightly governments of the two countries have reiterated their resolve to resume dialogue to which the two Prime Ministers had committed at Mohali, notwithstanding some sabre rattling at lower and non-official levels. Any steps we are able to take towards friendly relations between India and Pakistan, would not only be of mutual benefit but would be a source of strength to the entire region and be welcome to the wider world. Manmohan Singh has righty assured Pakistan of India’s best wishes for Pakistan from Kabul as well Delhi. Saner voices also been raised in Pakistan where tallest opposition leader Nawaz Sharief had warned has country against considering India as their main enemy.
A closer understanding between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan is the need of the hour and in the best interest of all of them. As a bigger power in the region, it is the responsibility of India to take a lead in that direction.
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