Daily Times

The recent statement of Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat aimed to appease Indian nationalists. BJP hardliners, including Modi have been giving harsh statements against Pakistan throughout their election campaigns. War will not favour either India or Pakistan because any conflict has the potential to transform into an apocalyptic nuclear war.

India will never plunge into a direct war with Pakistan, because it knows there are other methods to cause havoc in Pakistan. One of these methods is promoting ethnic and religious violence. It is obvious that it supports proxies in Balochistan. Kulbushan Yadhav, who was operating a terrorist network in the province, is an imperative case in this regard. No one can deny the fact that he was there to promote violence and terrorism.

Recent incidents of shelling along the LOC that have caused much damage in Pakistan have made matters worse. Civilians along the LOC are suffering a lot. Just recently, unprovoked firing from India caused the martyrdom of four troops that were busy in maintenance activities. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, from the beginning of 2018 till today, there have been more than 100 ceasefire violations by India on the LOC and the Working Boundary. These violations are directly related with the Indian army chief’s ambitions to start a small-scale war with Pakistan.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, from the beginning of 2018 till today, there have been more than 100 ceasefire violations by India on the LOC and the Working Boundary. These violations are directly related with the Indian army chief’s ambitions to start a small-scale war with Pakistan

Pakistan would never like to start a war when it has a number of internal challenges to deal with. Interestingly, from Pakistani side, no flaring statements are being given except those that are deemed necessary and are issued considering the Indian threats. Militarily, a rational approach is being adopted. Politically, it is time to realize the significance of tackling the Indian threats. American pressure is also on the rise. Although so many sacrifices have been made for Afghanistan, it does not seem to be aligned with Pakistan.

India, with the support of US wants to have an upper hand in South Asia. The most recent visit of the Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu to India is part of the campaign to make India a superior player in the region. In a nutshell, India is on cloud nine and really feels itself blessed to have strapping financial and nuclear powers to be on its side. On the other side, Pakistan is being assisted mainly by China and Turkey that will provide it patronage in case India plunges into war with it.

Indeed, the scope of the war will not be limited. It is obvious that if war breaks out between the two nuclear arch-rivals, their allies will undeniably support them and this will not be a small-scale war as presumed by Indian generals.

On the other side, Americans are more focused on their own interests. They support one country to counter the influence of another one. At present, they are supporting India to tackle the influence of China which is trying to snatch American hegemony and solidify its position in Asia and Africa. Once their purpose is served, they will be done with India.

Lastly, India should know that Pakistan, in spite of giving so many sacrifices and paying a huge price in the US war on terror, could not gain Americans’ trust. India with the US support should avoid threatening its neighbours. It is time that it realises the significance of having good relations with them especially with Pakistan. Instead of attempting to pressurize it through various means, it should solve long-standing issues. Peace is what the people of Pakistan and India need, not war.

The writer is a professional writer and political commentator. He can be contacted @junaidalimalik1 or junaidalimalik3@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, January 24^th 2018.