Author: Our Political Bureau
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: May 4, 2011
URL: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-05-04/news/29509009_1_bin-yousuf-raza-gilani-pakistan
India's diplomatic narrative on Pakistan seems
to be returning to the pre-Thimpu phase with external affairs minister SM
Krishna saying that Pakistan has a lot to explain in the aftermath of the
killing of Osama bin Laden on its soil. "I think Pakistan has a lot to
explain on that score," Krishna told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. He was
reacting to Pakistan's claim that it was not aware of the whereabouts of bin
Laden.
The "Pakistan as terrorist safe haven"
sub text of Krishna's assertion is dictated by the latest revelations about
Islamabad's role in fuelling jihadi terror. Under pressure from the global
community , the government had reopened channels of communications with Pakistan
early this year at Thimpu . This was followed up with foreign secretary as
well as home secretary-level talks.
The engagement got a further boost after
Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit to Mohali to watch the Indo-Pak cricket encounter
in March. The Congress backing for the government's efforts gave Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh the confidence to go ahead with his plans on Pakistan. But
with the Opposition mounting pressure to undertake a reality check following
revelation of Pakistan's role in sheltering bin Laden, Congress may not share
the enthusiasm it displayed a month ago. Experts maintain that India should
not rush into dialogue with Pakistan.
"This meandering approach should end.
The bin Laden episode has established the role of Pakistani security establishment
in shielding him. Pakistan is now the Ground Zero of global terrorism. There
is no room for a weakkneed approach," said strategic affairs expert Brahma
Chellaney.
