India’s boycott of the SAARC summit is the best diplomatic tool to nudge our neighbour to do some serious soul searching. If India has decided to isolate Pakistan diplomatically it should put more effort in persuading the other members of SAARC to abstain from the summit as well. Pakistan must be isolated – starting with the region. To argue that business as usual must continue with Pakistan is to live in a fool’s paradise. SAARC cannot work in such an environment. It is high time we built a mechanism to deal with terrorism by way of establishing an organisation member by all such nations as are on the same page as well as wavelength in so far as their perception with regard to combating terrorism is concerned. India has to show its anger and protest by some means as the attack on Indian army if left without a proper repulse would result in demoralizing army men. Not participating in the meeting is an important signal but much better would be to work out a strategy to end economic dealings with Pakistan, a complete ban on trade with Pakistan by SAARC members will be more painful for them. By keeping Pakistan out of the body, the other nations can concentrate more and more effectively on the aims and ideals of the body. It is a necessary step on the part of India to expose Pakistan on its complicity in trans-border terrorism and to an extent it signalled a success. It is time for the countries in Pakistan’s immediate neighbourhood to stand up and say enough is enough. India should take lead to promote the peace and stability of the region.
Vinod C. Dixit
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
