Mobilize international support to pressurise Pakistan

Some called India timid, some called lack of political will, some said India is extra patient, some more asked for 100 heads and few others abused the government and slept. Ultimately nothing promising has come out. Once we define our motto, we will have to keep our act align with it. Then only goals can be achieved and accomplished. Just because our neighbour throws garbage into our compound, we should not do the same in return. That doesn’t mean that we should keep quiet and wait for God to give punishment or to give him a sound mind which directs him not to throw garbage into other’s compound. Instead we should take the best action to stop the neighbour from resorting to lawless cowardly actions. Wisdom always says physical punishment is not long lasting but rebounding. Show of military strength has rarely deterred the opponents. Therefore, there is a need for considering some alternative through strategic deterrence. 

Economic and Strategic importance of India:

In the recent past, India is being treated as an important nation by the countries both in the east and the west of the globe. India has very good ties with most of the developed countries like USA, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Ukraine and so on. There may be some conflict between the interest of India and these countries. But positive side weighs much more than the negative. Blooming pharmacy and IT industries have given a major thrust for India to have greater ties with these countries. India, being a major market for most of the goods produced in the manufacturing economies, has been befriended by them for their survival and betterment. In return they provided market for Indian goods too. Similar reasons along with common interests and common goals have made India a friend of many developing economies like Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Ghana etc. Other underdeveloped countries of the world seek India’s assistance for upward movement in various sectors like health, science and technology, defence, agriculture etc. 

It is not just economic interests which determine the importance of India among world countries but strategic interests too. In the recent past, the pivot has been shifted towards east with foreign policy of USA ‘Pivot towards Asia’ and ‘Trans Pacific Partnership’, Japan’s ‘Arch of Freedom and Prosperity’, China’s ‘String of Pearls’ and India’s ‘Pan Indian Ocean Network’. India being placed strategically in Indian Ocean, which is a major route where 50% of the world trade is carried out, has given an extra edge to us. USA, despite having differences in Iran issue, is improving very good relations with India in order to accomplish its interest in Myanmar. For Japan, India is an old friend tied with cultural connections, becomes important to counter the rise of China in Asia. India has gained importance in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with its aid to anti-terrorism initiatives in the Afghanistan region with the provision of Zaranj – Delaram road and Farkhor airbase in Tajikistan. India with its martial action plan has become a strategic partner of Afghanistan too. Considerably good relations have been maintained with Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives though there were some bitter moments with Sri Lanka with regard to unilateral sanction and with Maldives over Male’s Ibrahim Nasir airport contract for GMR. The increased role of China in Indian Ocean region has been a cause of concern for India. Though India has good relations with China with respect to economic relations, the border issues have caused bitterness in Indo-China relations. With special interest of our Prime Minister there has been increase in the ties with ASEAN very recently. This is definitely a positive step for India to achieve its naval doctrine ‘Blue Water Navy in Indian Ocean’. 

How to go about?

            Recently in 2012 India has entered into economic cooperation with Pakistan. It had granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan in 1996 itself though Pak granted MFN status to India in 2012 only. Other issues like Indus river water sharing, Sir Creek are partially resolved and Siachen glacier issue and terrorism have not been resolved yet. Pakistan was reluctant to act against terrorism even after repeated appeal of India after 26/11. There have been violations of cease fire at the Indo – Pak border. Since bilateral talks have not resulted in expected outcomes, India should appeal for the support of well wisher world countries to put a pressure on Pakistan to take strict action on terrorism and to oblige with the border decided according to the earlier treaties, it will have to agree. Except China, no major country is helping Pakistan. Ukraine had supplied defence equipments to Pakistan earlier but it can’t give importance to Pakistan vis-a-vis India. Earlier big brother was helping Pakistan but not any more. So Pakistan would be in a helpless situation if all other countries join together in favour of India. We must convert this situation into an opportunity by mobilizing an international pressure on Pakistan. This would be a better strategy of solving the problem instead having war with Pakistan to bring it into terms. As a well known proverb says, “In a War, Winner will lose and loser will die”. War is not a solution at all. It will hamper growth of both the countries and world as well.