India is a responsible country. But it is caught in a bind. The people are seething with anger and a vast majority wants to avenge the killings. The situation has been made doubly difficult by fringe elements of Pakistan, including its ministers. What can India do in such a situation?
By Devsagar Singh
There is nothing more heinous than killing of innocent people. The Pahalgam massacre of 26 tourists selectively has rightly aroused anger and condemnation around the world. It has put India and Pakistan on the edge, virtually creating a situation of eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation.
Does a war take the two nations anywhere other than the path of misery and destruction? Pakistan has been a rogue state for long and is suffering on this account. Most western countries , including once-upon-a -time ally the US, have pronounced their aversion for Pakistan and the international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF have downgraded its status. As a result, its economy is in shambles . The country , indeed, is on the edge of a precipice. Any confrontation will bring disaster to the nation.
India is a responsible country. But it is caught in a bind. The people are seething with anger and a vast majority wants to avenge the killings. The situation has been made doubly difficult by fringe elements of Pakistan, including its ministers. What can India do in such a situation?
The Prime Minister, according to reports, has left it to the three service chiefs to respond to Pakistan as they deem fit. A wise decision, but in a democracy like India nothing can move without a political green signal. Obviously, the two together will have to take a call.
It is worth recalling that after the Pulwama attack in which 45 security personnel died, the security forces launched a successful surgical strike on Pakistan. India felt vindicated . Will the present act in Pahalgam be avenged in a similar manner?
India has the support of most countries in the world in terms of condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. But it would be misleading to aver that the support is for military action as well.
The need is to crack down on terror structure of Pakistan. If India can elicit open support from some friendly nations, the task would be less risky. It is doubtful, however, if western nations would respond positively. Even President Trump has said let the two countries sort it out among themselves. It is an indication that none will come upfront to support a military action. However, there will be moral support for the country, and that is very crucial.
The government cannot be seen to be allowing the country to bleed unchecked. Diplomatic actions have been initiated in right earnest. By suspending the Indus water treaty, apart from other actions, India has sent a stern message to Pakistan that it means business. This has shaken the country’s political and military establishment which have pronounced the move as an act of war. Any military action has the potential to ignite a warlike situation.
On the other hand, a delay in action could prove to be counter –productive for the ruling party. Torn between the two situations, the Government is likely to take the less risky route—a limited but decisive action against Pakistani terrorists, whatever the consequences. A group of people from the two countries have taken the initiative to avert a confrontation by urging for lowering the temperature on both sides. But the die seems cast.
Devsagar Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi