Daily Times

Political and strategic activities of the South Asian region have been on a high for the past week or so. The region faced a very unfortunate incident on February 14, 2019 when 40 Indian soldiers were killed in an attack in Pulwama, India. The already torn region of Kashmir faced yet another blow and has been in turmoil since the attack. The February 14 attack somehow translated into more violence against the innocent civilians of Kashmir. Hate crimes against Muslims have now spread beyond Kashmir into other Indian cities, particularly hate crimes against Kashmiri students. BBC news reported the violence against students from Kashmir in various universities across the country. The crimes included incidents of Kashmiri students being forced from their homes.

The attack has been condemned by all alike, however, the Indian nation has assumed Pakistan is behind the attack. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has given his two cents on the matter, and his words seem to be clearly motivated by his desire to cash in on this unfortunate incident for a win in the upcoming Indian general elections. India’s highest Diplomat in Pakistan has also been called back, and the action has been reciprocated by Pakistan. As we break down the current rush of hostilities between the two nuclear neighbours, there are mainly two theories revolving around. The Indian theory is short and bitter. It claims Pakistan is responsible for the attack because it is an irresponsible state that provides safe havens to terrorists. The group linked to this attack has also been declared close to Pakistan’s agencies on many occasions. The theory is evidently childish and sounds like it is being repeated for the hundredth time with no solid proof or credible information yet again. These allegations have done no good, but unfortunately India’s elite are set on fuelling this 71-year old fire for their petty gains.

Now MBS is set to land in India, where it is expected that peace between India and Pakistan would be suggested as a key desire

We have a theory from Pakistan’s side as well. Although it is not an official position, it is nonetheless doing the rounds in policy circles. It claims Indian officials themselves were involved in not only the Pulwama attack but the recent attacks on Iran as well. Both the attacks were significantly close to Pakistan’s Eastern and Western borders. This is something the state of Pakistan would not bring upon itself at such a crucial time when the security situation of the state needed to be at its best for the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The visit was not only a remarkably significant diplomatic achievement for Pakistan, but was also very significant for the South Asian region and Muslim countries around the globe. In times like this, when the state of Pakistan was consumed in making preparations for the arrival of the Prince, it would be a rather redundant strategic move to involve itself in something like an attack on India. However, some believe Indian officials planned this to create unrest in the region in an attempt to halt the Prince’s visit.

The visit, however, took place anyway and was rather successful. Not only were multiple MoU’s signed, but mechanisms to implement the MoU’s were also chalked out. The spontaneous release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners from Saudi prisons on the request of PM Imran Khan clearly showed that Saudi-Pak relations were booming. The step not only took the friendship and trust between the two nations to new heights but created a new sense of love and respect for the Prince amongst the general public of Pakistan. The Prince being awarded the highest civil award of Pakistan marks the utmost success of the visit, which did not settle well with many of the self-proclaimed key players of the region.

Now MBS is set to land in India, where it is expected that peace between India and Pakistan would be suggested as a key desire. It can also be expected that India’s leadership would take this opportunity to trade peace in return of other favours from the Saudi delegation. Regardless of the absurd reaction from the neighboring country, Pakistan has remained calm and acted with utmost maturity during the ongoing blame game. Regardless of knowing very well how capable the Pakistani army is, the state has made no loose remarks and has also recorded its reservations against India’s escalating remarks in a letter penned down by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan to the General Secretary of the United Nations. Pakistan always has, still does and always will promote peace and prosperity in the region.

The writer can be contacted at uzgesaleem@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 20^th 2019.