Good for both India and Pakistan
Setting aside provocative statements by the Indian government leaders, the COAS has said that Pakistan is capable of giving a befitting response to any aggression and therefore there is no need to worry about anything India says. With both Pakistan and India possessing nuclear weapons, there is little chance of an all out war. India also knows that major powers would oppose any adventurism in South Asia as its repercussions will not remain confined to the region alone.
The ongoing tension is however leading to consequences that are painful for both countries. Border clashes along the LoC and Working Boundary have escalated during the last two years. These have led to the killing of several innocent civilians and troops. Unless there is a reduction in tension, unnecessary and sometime heart rending casualties will continue to take place.
The government has blamed RAW for promoting terrorism in Pakistan. Patronage of terrorism by any state becomes a highly dangerous game for it invariably leads to a reciprocal activity. Both Pakistan and India have areas infected with militancy. It is in the interest of both to resolve their outstanding disputes through talks instead of resorting to proxy war. Even while terrorist activities are gradually on the decline in Pakistan, they are still doing enough harm to national economy. According to the latest Economic Survey, the losses caused by terrorism during the first nine months of the current fiscal year amounted to Rs457.93 billion. The sooner the sources of encouragement and support for the terrorist activities dry up, the better. This explains why Nawaz Sharif struck a conciliatory note saying he wanted to establish good relations with India.
There is a need on the part of India to realise that peaceful resolution of the outstanding disputes would provide a win-win situation to both India and Pakistan. Unless this happens both the countries would fail to bring into play the full potential of their economies needed to improve the livelihood of their people.
It took Pakistani elite sixty odd years to realise the need for peace. Better late than never.
Comments are closed.