Daily Times

The war of words between India and Pakistan risks pushing both sides towards the brink. What is therefore needed is restraint all round. Especially given that the annual UN General Assembly meeting is all set for this week. And it will do neither party any good to squander the opportunity of address by giving in to vitriol.

Of course, the timing of the attack on Indian security personnel in -held Kashmir could not have been worse. Coming, as it did, a mere day after Prime Minister Imran Khan extended an olive branch to New Delhi with a view to resetting the bilateral relationship. Yet the latter’s immediate response failed to even entertain the possibility that this was the work of militants who want nothing better than to scupper the chance of Indo-Pak peace. This is to say nothing of the Indian Army chief’s diatribe against Islamabad; in which he blatantly accused the Pakistani security establishment of having a dirty hand to play in the latest violence. All the while vowing a “befitting” blowback. This naturally prompted this side to remind its bigger and militarily more powerful neighbour that it is a nuclear power on a war-footing.

Regrettably for India, diplomacy is tilted in Pakistan’s favour. As the occupying power in — held Kashmir, New Delhi remains responsible for the territory’s security. Nevertheless, the world’s largest democracy stands accused of gross human rights violations there. An undeniable point that was highlighted by the world body’s first-ever probe into the disputed area that was conducted at the behest of Islamabad; even as the UN did not give this country an entirely clean chit. Thereby underscoring the moral bankruptcy of states that sponsor terrorism. New Delhi went on to categorically reject the findings.

The Indian side is adamant that terrorism and talks do not go together. Though from here, this position looks an awful lot like the politics of deflection. To once more rob the Kashmiri people of the right to even talk about               self-determination. It therefore it falls to the international community to put aside particular geo-strategic interests to ensure that Kashmir remains firmly under the spotlight. And that this translates into concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of a people that have endured occupation for some seven decades.

Towards this end, the US has proved itself as ineffective a broker on this front as it has on the Palestine question. Thus Pakistan must look towards newer regional alliances. And while China has positioned itself as a regional player that does not interfere in the internal affairs of its allies — Beijing has in recent times offered to play a constructive role in easing Indo-Pak tensions. Islamabad should make good use of such overtures; even while it continues to criticise China’s treatment of ethnic Muslims within its borders. Similarly, the Khan administration would do well to link strategic cooperation and security guarantees for Saudi Arabia to Riyadh using its influence within the Muslim world to not let Kashmir fade to grey once more.

In short, Pakistan’s commitment to parliamentary democracy and economic development mean that it is no longer regionally isolated. This is a ground reality that India must accept and work with. For South Asian peace and security.  *

Published in Daily Times, September 23^rd 2018.