Blame it on Pakistan
So what is new about New Delhi blaming almost all of its problems, especially security related, on Pakistan? If their home minister, Rajnath Singh, had his way, he would have attributed their first confirmed IS case to be a Pakistan backed conspiracy as well. But while an Islamabad link in a Mumbai resident waging jihad alongside Gulf Arabs fighting in the Levant might be a little far-fetched even for ministers assembled from the BJP’s far-right, the home minister still sees a very visible hand of Pakistani “state actors” attempting to “destabilise India”.
That Singh did “not hesitate” in naming Pakistan is hardly surprising. Far from hopes of goodwill – generated when Nawaz flew to Delhi for Modi’s inauguration – the Indian side has clearly followed through on its anti-Pakistan election campaign rhetoric. First, it was the PM himself, visiting Kashmir, especially Kargil, and making provocative speeches with very important symbolism. Then it was their army chief, who promised nothing less than teaching Pakistan a lesson, in no less provocative terms. And now, having generated the right kind of media energy, the home ministry has also stepped in.
Yet despite the apparent bravado, it is not clear what India might hope to achieve with such a strategy. Its uproar over the Hurriyet incident, for example, is in striking contrast to New Delhi’s own long-standing stance. Not only has the Indian government accepted regular Pakistani contacts with Hurriyet leaders – including the Vajpayee administration – it has at times also facilitated the interaction. Nawaz showed flexibility by not meeting them in Delhi (for the inauguration). But it seems the Indians read the goodwill gesture the wrong way. They knew Islamabad would not bend to its diktat of folding the Hurriyet card forever simply because Modi had come to power in India. And their repeated violations of the LoC and working boundary, too, are deliberate belligerent steps meant to rub Pakistan the wrong way. New Delhi is advised to revise this policy before it creates more friction, and draws the neighbours further away when both should invest their energies in overcoming hostilities in favour of friendlier political and trade ties.