Thaw on knife-edge

Future of Pak-India

Clearly signs of a Pak-India thaw were not welcomed by all. Some will still fight, and indeed die, to preserve the confrontation. The usual Indian reaction to incidents like the air base and consulate attacks is immediate finger-pointing at Pakistan – with detailed, albeit without proof, signs of ISI involvement – and putting whatever talks might be on the table into deep freeze for an indefinite period. And this time too the Indian media has spewing venom non-stop on Pakistan. Yet there is also a slight difference. A number of analysts have cautioned against accusing Pakistan without evidence, and look also into possible facilitators of the terrorists inside India before a formal statement is made.

According to media reports so far, Indian authorities believe the group that hit the airbase had come from Pakistan. Islamabad, on the other hand, has openly boasted restraining militant activity since Zarb-e-Azb took off. The army chief has gone to the extent of promising elimination of all terrorists before the new year runs out. Should the group really turn out to be from this side of the border, there will be no end to the embarrassment that will come Pakistan’s way. Therefore, it is important to undertake a thorough internal investigation so our position is clear.

India must also realise the enormity of the moment. Delhi has long had a habit of placing the blame for what goes wrong inside India’s borders on Pakistan. Unless it has credible, actionable evidence, it must abandon this approach immediately. The most prudent way forward would be Pakistan and India conducting a joint investigation – that ends when those really behind the attack, wherever they may be from, are brought to justice. Unfairly blaming Islamabad only plays into the hands of the terrorists who not only take lives, disrupt states, but also take control of the cross-border diplomatic narrative. The future of Pak-India now lies in the Indian leadership displaying sense and prudence in what is clearly a very difficult time for the government.