The Indian allegations

Should not be taken lightly

The relations between Pakistan and India can best be explained by an analogy of sibling rivalry: they get jealous of each other, get into fights and usually miss no chance at verbal fights. But unlike simple sibling rivalry, things here can get serious and statements made in the heat of the moment can have huge implications. Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s allegations on the ISI being involved in pressuring Sikh militant leaders to target Indian Punjab and other parts of India is disturbing, to say the least and needs to be taken seriously, both by India and Pakistan.

Relations between the two nuclear neighbours were looking up with a new government in Pakistan. However manhandling of a Pakistani diplomat a few days ago in India threw it off track. Some are even saying that the Indian home minister’s statement was a way to balance out the criticism on India after the diplomat incident, but what makes the statement a serious one is the forum at which it was stated: during a speech to state chief ministers gathered in New Delhi for an annual conference on internal security. Still, though, such statements should not be made without conclusive proof, and even then a sense of propriety calls for discussing the issue behind the curtains with those who are being accused, instead of making a situation ripe to create public chaos. Both countries should realise that they cannot afford to have this powder keg of a situation explode, but it is statements like these that threaten to put everything on fire. But as it happens, if proven true, these allegations pose a greater threat than anything else.

The government of Pakistan should look into these allegations seriously, and at the earliest. If there is any truth in these claims, they should be dealt with immediacy and in a way to deter rogue elements from trying to take advantage of a situation. Pakistan is already facing so many challenges; an exacerbating relation with a neighbouring economic giant would not do well for its prospects of having peace and moving on on the road to progress. India, on its part, also needs to be mindful of falling prey to public theatrics, inciting anger and hatred. It should utilise official avenues before going public and making a mess out of things that can be better handled in professional manner.

Sure both countries have grievances against each other but there is a grown-up way of tackling these issues: through discussion. Instead of calling for each other’s blood, they should call for a meeting at ministerial level and sort out ways to end this sibling rivalry and turn it into mutual cooperation to improve relations and thrash out impediments in creating an environment of peace.