Indian Defence Review

At recent meeting in Russia [UFA] PM Narendra Modi of India and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan reached an agreement for peace talks on bi-lateral issues. Dust had hardly settled down on the announcement that Pakistan started going back on its words. Firstly cease-fire violations along Loc and International border intensified, secondly it expressed serious concerns about 26/11 main accused Zakir-ul-rehman Lakhvi voice sample, thirdly Pak high commissioner who had earlier cancelled Iftar party with separatists decided to call them for Eid and Pakistan army shot their own made in China drone and blamed India for sending it in their air space. They resorted to heavy firing and shelling across international border and Loc resulting in civilian causalities and lastly they made a statement that there can be no peace talks without Kashmir on agenda. There have been 7 cease-fire violations in last 6 days.These irresponsible acts create serious doubts about their intentions.

Firstly about Kashmir, before 1947 there was no Pakistan hence the contention that Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan is wrong and historically untenable. Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir signed certificate of accession that he wants to accede to India. Pakistan with the help of Razakars and kabailis annexed portion known as POK. We will not discuss historical mistake of taking Kashmir issue to U.N.

A word about internal situation of Pakistan, it is critical. They do not control 1/3 of their territory.  Baluchistan, North Waziristan, NWFP and entire tribal area to give an example. Law and Order situation is pathetic, there is terrorism everywhere, fratricidal war is order of the day and all known terror groups of the world are present. Every second day there is terror strike. Pakistan is ripe and ready for balkanization and disintegration and it is matter before it happens.

About military situation in Pakistan it is a known fact that Pakistan army is more or less independent they do not care much or listen much too democratically elected government. They are authority by themselves. They always try and create tension on the border so that their importance remains intact. They are recruiting, training and financing terrorists for sending into India. ISI is involved in large scale drug trafficking as Pakistan is situated in Golden Triangle. Bulk of the terror money comes from it. They in league with tribal chieftains control bulk of the smuggling. Thus Pakistan’s armed forces including ISI are more or less independent. Pakistani armed forces would never like that there is peace with India as it will hamper their cottage industry of terror in the sub-continent.

About political situation in Pakistan lesser said better it is. There are serious allegations of large scale rigging in elections. If last year’s protests are some indication the present government does not enjoy wholehearted majority as claimed. People are utterly disgusted with politicians. Nepotism and corruption are order of the day.

Pakistan’s economy is in shambles. Manufacturing industries are a thing of the past. Trade is sluggish, markets are dormant. The only reason why it has not economically collapsed so far is that it receives large quantity of aid from America. Now it has found a new ally in China on whom he can depend for aids and economic survival. They are getting very huge aid from Saudi-Arabia in lieu of promoting  Haqqani  net work in Pakistan and adjoining countries.

Having discussed the prevailing political, military and economic situation let us now discuss peace talks with Pakistan. Firstly we have to remember that we are negotiating with a weak government whose armed forces do not fully listen to them. Other than armed forces other pressure group having considerable say are various terror groups and their godfathers. It is in interest of both that they do not let the peace process succeed lest they lose their position, sheen and employment.

People of Pakistan on their own are peace loving and would like to have friendly and cordial neighborly relations but these vested interest will always try and sabotage the peace process. India has been trying to establish peaceful and cordial relations unilaterally despite provocations.  Now China has also entered the picture and in the garb of friendship will try and create misunderstanding and distrust in our relations with Pakistan. China will always try that India and Pakistan should be daggers drawn as it is to their advantage. Pakistani armed forces and government will always project danger from India and terror to divert the attention of the world and get massive military and economic aid from America, China and Saudi Arabia. If there is peace in sub-continent it’s economy will collapse.

As can be seen peace process and talks with Pakistan is a very complex process and there are players within and outside Pakistan who will try and ensure that it does not succeed. Indian authorities can sit down for talks but outcome will depend whether certain vested interests will let it come to a peaceful conclusion. It will be in the interest of both India and Pakistan if peaceful and cordial relations between both neighbors are established and peace returns to the sub-continent. The outcome of talks thus depends upon attitude of Pakistani counterparts, what kind of pressure is exerted by this anti-peace lobby and how they withstand it and how much super powers are able to convince Pakistani‘s to find an amicable solution to all bilateral issues. We the people of India should hope and pray that Pakistan does not disintegrate because it is better to have one big strong neighbor rather than many weak feuding neighbors. India is trying it’s level best that despite all provocations the peace talks should go on bu twe should hope and pray that they don’t come to the ultimate conclusion that Pakistan will only understand the language of ‘B’— Boot, Bayonet and Bullet.

We can only hope and pray that there are peace talks in near future and they are successful and ultimately peace returns to the sub-continent after 67 years.