Daily Times

It seems that India has successfully jeopardised the joyous momentum of cash-starved Pakistan that was built up by the hyped two-day visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS). Though the Saudi visit was merely a bunch of MoUs for Pakistan, it disturbed the cunning Indian government that has secured even more MoUs than Pakistan. Despite brotherly relations with Pakistan, the Saudi government believes in more market driven initiatives.

Still, New Delhi should not forget MBS’s advice about behaving more responsibly, as India will be emerging as the world’s third largest economy by the year 2030. Apparently, the Pulwama ‘attack’ seems to be a staged one if not indigenously orchestrated. The possibility of a staged drama cannot be refuted because of the timing of the tragic incident.

Experts believe that the ongoing Indian war phobia will phase-out gradually in the days to come. New Delhi knows very well how long their soldiers can fight on the borders. On the other hand, they also know the technical capacity of Pakistan, which has doubled with the high moral and passion of its soldiers, along with political will and the devotion of the Pakistanis to defend their land and frontiers.

The firm decision of the otherwise lame Pakistan government to take on any Indian misadventure is being fully supported by all the political and social elements. The extremely-hyped war noise could not shatter the confidence and faith of the people of Pakistan. India and their allies should rest assured that all of Pakistan is united against India’s mala fide intentions despite all the political, religious and social segregations and divides within.

Only the Indian people can vote to push the hardliners back to their dens in the forthcoming general elections

Not only are all the segments of society are standing behind the Pakistan Army, the friendly and neighbouring countries are also supporting the Pakistan’s stance. Even the facts of the Pulwama incident go against the Indian version. The irrational allegations against Pakistan cannot hide the actual face of India. The international community may remain silent on the Indian cruelties and violence against the unarmed civilians in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) for some political and economic reasons, but no one can deny the loss of human lives and properties, heinous rapes, arrests, and killings of young Kashmiris in the custody of the Indian army.

While Pakistanis sympathise with the families of the victims of the Pulwama attack, we cannot remain silent regarding the Indian brutalities in IOK. We believe that the majority at large in India is not socially violent or religiously extremist. But, the majority is somehow ruled over by the violent and extremist elements that want to stay in power even after the forthcoming elections in India. If the Indians want to see their children live prosperously, they have to say no to the extremist elements within their country. The general public in India shall also have to raise their voices against atrocities in IOK.

After decades of war in Afghanistan, the US and NATO have finally realised the importance of negotiations even with the Taliban for peace in the region. History proves that negotiations are the final and ultimate solution to all conflicts. India needs to learn this.

Conflicts are excessive baggage a country cannot afford in the bumpy long journey of economic prosperity, social coherence and political integrity. Large economies have realised this now and the aspirants are taking measures accordingly. While the world is presuming that India would be the third largest economy in 2030, it has to shed this excessive baggage. Among its conflicts with neighbouring countries, Kashmir is the biggest one and it should be on top of the list for India. Now or after the big loss, India has to opt for negotiations to resolve its transboundary conflicts which are certainly flaring up conflicts within its boundaries too.

Only the Indian people can vote to push the hardliners back to their dens in the forthcoming general elections. A stable and moderate government in India can help its citizens live in a peaceful environment, but only if they respect the peaceful co-existence of different religious and social segments on their land and in the neighbourhood. It is presumed that fortunately, the Indian military establishment doesn’t go beyond the scope of framework mandated by their government.

We Pakistanis believe that the Indian government would not further politicise the escalating situation. It may increase their vote bank for the time being but would further endanger the region’s peace and harmony. There are also many positive ways to win the elections. One could be ensuring peace and prosperity through vigorous measures for the sake of the Indian people.

The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert

Published in Daily Times, February 26^th 2019.