Author: D Suba Chandran
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: June 8, 2011
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/344205/India-must-stand-up-as-a-nation.html
Have we learned any lessons from the Headley
disclosures of Pakistani involvement in the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai?
Are we now more determined than before to take on Pakistan? Or are we still
dependent on others to plead our case and send bogus dossiers to Pakistan?
The world will take note of India if New Delhi sends out a firm message: Thus
far and no farther. That calls for political courage
Finally, the much-awaited disclosures by David
Coleman Headley are in the public domain. Yes, they nail down the involvement
of ISI handlers and the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba in the Mumbai terrorist attack.
So? Is there anything new in this 'revelation'? What should be the primary
focus in India? To tell the international community "we told you so"
or to devise a strategy vis-à-vis Pakistan?
The hard reality in India is, even if the
ISI chief goes public announcing the involvement of some of his officials
in the Mumbai attack or with the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, what can New Delhi do
about the same? Demand the extradition of those officers and submit another
nonsense dossier and make ourselves a laughing stock at the international
level?
Either we learn from the Americans or devise
our own strategy to deal with Pakistan's involvement, instead of expecting
the international community (read the US) to act on behalf of us. Our primary
strategy vis-à-vis Pakistan in terms of dealing with terrorism seems
to be on the following lines: First and foremost, we want international understanding
and support for our 'principled stand' against Islamabad and want Pakistan
to be declared a terrorist state. Second, we will prepare a dossier and submit
it to Pakistan, demanding the extradition of individuals. Third, we will make
statements, organise conferences and discuss amongst ourselves.
What has the US done? It works with Pakistan
where necessary. It violates Pakistan's sovereignty if there is a need by
operating drones and flying SEALs all the way up to Abbottabad, kills the
most wanted man and get them back to their base. Powerful nations in the world
make a statement by their actions, and not by talking to media and compiling
dossiers.
The primary focus for New Delhi should be
in terms of devising a comprehensive strategy towards Pakistan, to prevent
not only another terrorist attack, but also inform them that the use of terrorism
as a tool against India is unacceptable. In fact, the Indian nation has been
giving a wrong signal by stating "another attack of the Mumbai scale
is unacceptable". Does that mean another attack on the Indian soil of
Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bangalore is acceptable?
Any comprehensive strategy vis-à-vis
Pakistan in terms of preventing any future terrorist attacks should involve
political, military and diplomatic responses. At the political level, India's
responses so far have been based more on emotions and rhetoric than any realistic
approach based on realpolitic. The Government needs to evolve a common political
strategy both inside Parliament and outside, in terms of building a consensus.
Once there is a consensus on what needs to be done, if there is a terrorist
attack, it will be easier for the Government to pursue a strategy. In fact,
if there is a consensus on what is likely to be the follow-up, Pakistan may
even consider twice before approving any terrorist attack.
Such a political strategy should have a strong
military component. If there is a militant attack led by the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba
anywhere in India, on any scale, what could be a political response with a
military component? An attack on the Lashkar headquarters in Punjab, either
by the Air Force or through missiles, with a strong political back-up, come
what may, the Government will be willing to face the consequence.
This is where India's military will have to
do its homework in terms of preparing for a punitive attack and take on any
follow-up military action by Pakistan. What will be Pakistan's response, if
India targets the Lashkar headquarters? Will they get ready for an all out
war with India? Will they immediately use a nuclear weapon against India?
Will they unleash more militant attacks on India?
The political establishment in India seems
to have been caught by the Pakistan bluff: If there is any limited Indian
military response to Pakistan's involvement in terrorist activity, it will
result in a conventional war, leading to the use of nuclear weapons. It appears,
nuclear weapons have deterred India from protecting its national security!
Can India call Pakistan's bluff? Is Pakistan
so sure of waging a conventional war or use nuclear weapons against India?
Or, does Pakistan believe such a posturing will enable the international community
to pressurise India from not pursuing any military strategy?
This is where the third component of India's
response to Pakistani militant attacks needs to evolve: A comprehensive diplomatic
offensive both vis-à-vis Pakistan and the international community.
Both should be delivered a clear message that any militant activity on the
soil of India will be responded with military action, and India will be ready
to face whatever the fallouts are. Certainly, whatever may follow India's
strong political and military response cannot be worse than the situation
that we are already in.
What is needed today is not to tap our shoulders,
with a smirk and a "we told you so" in terms of Pakistan's complicity
vis-à-vis supporting militant activities on Indian soil. Rather what
we need is an articulation of a coherent strategy and political support to
pursue such a course, come what may. In the comity of nations, we will be
taken seriously, only if we take ourselves seriously and stand up as a nation.
- The writer is the Director, Institute of
Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi & Visiting Professor, Jamia Millia
Islamia.
