Officers of the Border Security Force and the Desert Rangers of Pakistan held their third flag meeting along the international border that has witnessed relentless ceasefire violations in the past month and a half. Sources told that while the BSF complained about regular ceasefire violations, the Pakistani Rangers denied the charge and drew attention to the loss of life and property in BSF shelling. After weeks of intense shelling between India and Pakistan along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, the two countries held a flag meeting to discuss ceasefire violations along the border. Pakistan refused to accept any blame and said they had only responded to firing from the Indian side. Though, there was no breakthrough at the meeting, it broke the ice and hopefully will deter them from violating the ceasefire again.
When Narendra Modi took the control of the government in his hands, all was well with Pakistan, particularly when the two leaders rubbed their shoulders with a kind of warmth. It appeared that achche din of Indo-Pak relation was coming. The welcome move was further sweetened by the exchange of shawl and sarees between the heads of the two nations. It was undigested by the anti peace elements. They were in look out for chances to turn positive changes into enmity. Some wrong steps by Pakistani regime are also responsible for tension building between the two sides. Pakistan did mistake of not taking the central government into confidence before talking to the Hurriyat leaders on Kashmir issue. No sovereign nation will allow such interference in its internal affairs. As a result of Pakistan’s this emboldened move, India cancelled the secretary level talks which was due to be held this month. This will be seen as a triumph by the separatists. So, India should initiate the dialogue. Whoever is at the power at the helm of affairs in Pakistan, the situation on the ground emerged does not change. With no stopping of firing, is it that our reply shall always be talks, more talks, further talks and talk’s and queasiness? Can’t that be read as our weakness (and not tolerance, as they never understand the language of peace) and thus abet them to maintain the same refrain forever?
This daily exchange of fire across the Line of Control (LoC) is not on boarder dispute. Pak interferes in internal politics of Kashmir and it is the main cause of firing. If India is breaking dialogue with Pakistan, it means it is also breaking dialogues with Kashmir issue. It will only benefit Pakistan on Kashmir issue. The border (LoC) is not “No men’s Land” like LAC. It is correct that we should also consider the life and safety of villagers. India must resume talks at the earliest possible. According to our army spokespersons, our army is fittingly retaliating Pakistan’s aggression across the border. That means we are also snubbing out their soldiers’–even though not their civilians’ — lives. How long this tit-for-tat will go on. Talks are only the option we both countries have to resolve whole issues amicably considering that both are nuclear armed states.
First, India should be clear with whom it should have talks in Pakistan, whether it is elected civilian Government, Army or Judiciary. Unless there is a Civilian Government with some stability in Pakistan, it is not possible for India to do anything. It is also not wrong to say that, Pakistan Army is the one that is creating trouble for India and not Pakistan’s citizens, after all we are from different branches of same tree. Befitting reply to the atrocious violations by Pakistan is the need of the hour. It is unfortunate that we keep hearing of response of ‘equal calibre’ all this while when it is necessary to respond in a punitive way and teach Pakistan a lesson to remember.
Pakistan wants India to conduct self determination poll, so that the younger generation Kashmiris see themselves as Muslims and forget the invasion and atrocities by Pakistan and vote for joining Pakistan.
By talking with Pakistan, we may have to forego the right to administer Kashmir at least on the foreign and security aspects. However, history is that Kashmir is the land of Hindus, Buddhists. The Turkmenistan Muslims, Mughals occupied by force and unleashed mass conversions or killings. Secondly, by foregoing Kashmir, Pakistan will not stop sending its citizens to India for terrorism as its Hafeez Saeed and others have already expressed their desire to fly the green flag in Red Fort, Delhi. Indians had for last 60 years protected J&K. Hence, we should not lose Kashmir and fight with them. For argument sake, if self determination is required for Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindus & Buddhists would ask for their share of Kashmir. They will try to use a democratic and legitimate right to demonstrate but curfews will be imposed. India lost its credibility in Kashmir. The only way to resolve the six-decade old conflict is to let the people of Kashmir determine their own way under international observation. India should allow them to vote democratically and peacefully and accept the outcome of the vote. That is the only way to solve all problems.
