Abdul Basit Alvi
A civilized nation, often referred to as a developed or advanced country, possesses a distinct set of characteristics that differentiate it from less developed counterparts. These traits encompass not only economic prosperity but also encompass the social, cultural, and political aspects that contribute to an enhanced quality of life for its citizens. One of the foundational characteristics of a civilized nation is a robust commitment to the rule of law. Within these countries, the legal and political systems are transparent, just, and free from corruption. An independent judiciary ensures impartial dispensation of justice, while checks and balances within the government prevent the consolidation of power. Civilized nations often feature stable political systems that facilitate the peaceful transfer of power. These countries frequently adhere to democratic principles, allowing citizens to participate in the decision-making process through free and fair elections. Inclusivity in politics, with a specific focus on minority rights, is another hallmark of these advanced societies. These countries are known for offering a high standard of living to their citizens. This encompasses accessible quality education, healthcare, and social services. They maintain low poverty rates, possess a robust social safety net, and strive for a fair distribution of wealth. Technological advancement and innovation are defining characteristics of civilized nations. They invest significantly in research and development, nurturing a culture of innovation that leads to breakthroughs in various sectors, including science, technology, healthcare, and the arts. Civilized countries boast well-developed infrastructure, including efficient transportation networks, modern utilities, and urban planning that prioritizes sustainability. Clean, safe, and well-maintained cities and public spaces are the norm. Respect for human rights is a cornerstone of these societies. Citizens enjoy freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited. Environmental consciousness is paramount in civilized nations. They implement comprehensive policies and practices aimed at protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving natural resources. Sustainable development and eco-friendly initiatives are commonplace in these countries. Celebration of cultural diversity and the embrace of tolerance are distinguishing traits of civilized nations. They honor a myriad of cultural traditions, languages, and ethnic backgrounds, demonstrating respect for differing perspectives and a commitment to cultural exchange. Civilized nations prioritize education, ensuring accessible and high-quality educational systems from primary to tertiary levels. This includes investment in both public and private education to provide every citizen with the opportunity to reach their full potential. Recognition of the importance of healthcare and well-being is evident in these countries. They often maintain universal or near-universal healthcare systems, guaranteeing access to quality medical care. Moreover, they place significant emphasis on public health measures to enhance the well-being of their citizens. Civilized countries typically experience low crime rates due to efficient law enforcement and the presence of robust social safety nets. Their criminal justice systems tend to emphasize rehabilitation over punishment, resulting in lower rates of recidivism. The civilized nations embody a unique set of characteristics that encompass governance, economic well-being, social values, and environmental responsibility. These traits collectively contribute to a high quality of life for their citizens and serve as a model for countries worldwide aiming to achieve similar levels of progress and prosperity. India, often characterized as a so called secular state and the world’s largest democracy, notably lacks of the aforementioned traits. Now, shifting our focus to international relations, the principles of respecting other nations and abstaining from involvement in their internal affairs become pivotal. International relations form a complex network of interactions between countries, each guided by its distinct values, interests, and governing systems. Within this intricate realm, the doctrine of non-interference plays a central role. This policy entails refraining from meddling in the domestic matters of other nations. The most fundamental rationale for embracing a non-interference policy lies in the reverence for a nation’s sovereignty. Sovereignty stands as a core tenet of international law, affirming a nation’s entitlement to self-governance without external interference. Upholding this principle not only conforms to international standards but also contributes to a more stable and harmonious global order. Interfering in the internal affairs of another nation can rapidly escalate tensions and lead to conflicts. Such interference can be perceived as a breach of a country’s autonomy and may incite strong reactions. Therefore, a non-interference policy serves as a preemptive measure, diminishing the likelihood of diplomatic crises and hostilities. The adoption of a non-interference policy cultivates the art of diplomacy. By refraining from meddling in internal matters, nations can sustain open lines of communication and seek diplomatic resolutions to global issues. This approach fosters negotiation and compromise, thereby promoting peace and cooperation. Furthermore, a non-interference policy augments bilateral relations. It communicates a clear message that a nation respects the autonomy and self-determination of other countries. In response, this respect often fosters more amicable and productive relationships, emphasizing shared interests and cooperation rather than criticism and imposition. Embracing a non-interference policy aligns with international norms and principles. For instance, the United Nations Charter underscores the significance of refraining from involvement in the internal matters of other states. Adhering to these norms fortifies the global framework for peaceful and lawful international relations. A non-interference policy lends support to the right to self-determination, enabling countries to shape their governance, culture, and policies free from external pressures. This commitment to self-determination is not just a matter of principle but also a pragmatic approach to cultivating peaceful coexistence. Interfering in another country’s affairs can have unintended and adverse consequences, often resulting in instability and insecurity. Historical examples demonstrate that interventions, even when well-intentioned, can lead to protracted conflicts and intricate aftermaths. A non-interference policy helps avert these inadvertent negative outcomes. By embracing a non-interference policy, nations contribute to global stability. In an interconnected world, peaceful coexistence and non-interference foster trust and security, thereby diminishing the potential for international disputes and hostilities. India has been engaged in interventionist activities in numerous countries, utilizing RAW as a tool to exert its influence abroad. RAW, which stands for the Research and Analysis Wing, India’s external intelligence agency, has long been shrouded in mystery and conjecture due to its covert undertakings on foreign soil. The Indian Spy Agency RAW partakes in objectionable activities overseas that encroach upon the sovereignty of other nations. RAW, officially known as the Research and Analysis Wing, serves as India’s principal external intelligence agency with the responsibility of collecting intelligence and conducting covert operations beyond its borders. Established in 1968, RAW’s core mission is to safeguard India’s national security by procuring information related to external threats, encompassing both military and non-military aspects, and executing operations to safeguard and further India’s interests on the international stage. Nevertheless, a number of allegations have arisen regarding RAW’s activities overseas. One of the most persistent accusations against RAW is its alleged provision of support to insurgent groups and separatist movements in neighboring nations, with Pakistan being a prominent case. Critics contend that RAW has extended material and financial backing to various insurgent factions, thereby contributing to regional instability. Furthermore, RAW has faced allegations of espionage in foreign countries, entailing the gathering of sensitive intelligence data and compromising the national security of other nations. These allegations have on numerous occasions strained India’s relations with its neighboring countries. RAW has been implicated in clandestine operations aimed at destabilizing governments and promoting political change in neighboring countries. These actions transgress the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. RAW has also been linked to acts of sabotage in foreign countries, encompassing activities such as cyberattacks and acts of terrorism. These allegations have resulted in noteworthy diplomatic consequences. India and RAW have persistently been implicated in supporting terrorist activities within Pakistan. Kulbhushan Yadav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was implicated in perilous activities in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and was found to be spying for India’s intelligence agency, RAW. He was apprehended by Pakistani Security Forces on March 3, 2016, on charges of espionage and involvement in acts of terrorism in Balochistan, with his arrest being based on information provided by the ISI. RAW has been operating from the territories of neighboring countries with the aim of destabilizing and weakening Pakistan, even prior to the World Trade Centre incident. Pakistan paid a substantial price for its role as an ally in the global war on terror, enduring a prolonged strategy by India to foment division along ethnic lines. India has exploited Afghanistan’s territory as a launchpad for its activities against Pakistan, actively engaging in anti-state activities throughout Pakistan, including in regions such as Balochistan and KPK. Consequently, these areas have been marred by recurring periods of unrest and conflict, often attributed to India’s sponsorship and support for terrorism in Pakistan. For instance, in the past year, a bomb blast in Lahore’s Johar Town claimed the lives of 22 individuals. During a press briefing alongside Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials, Pakistan’s Home Minister of then disclosed that “we have concrete evidence that India was behind the blast.” Speaking to the media, the CTD official asserted that “during the investigation, it has been ascertained that the primary suspect in the incident had been an operative of the Indian spy agency (RAW) since 2012.” Recent disputes between Canada and India have garnered global attention. A few months ago, Canada made an announcement indicating its active pursuit of credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia. This development dealt a significant blow to diplomatic relations between the two countries. In an emergency statement delivered to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his firm stance that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen constitutes “an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.” The victim in question was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, aged 45, who was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb known for its substantial Sikh population. Nijjar openly advocated for a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent Khalistani state and had been designated as a “terrorist” by India in July 2020. Trudeau conveyed that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations pointing to a possible connection between government agents from India and Nijjar’s demise. He mentioned that he had raised the murder issue directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in New Delhi and urged the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in investigating the matter thoroughly. In response to these developments, Canada also took the unprecedented step of expelling India’s top intelligence agent stationed in the country. Recently, a court in Qatar handed down the death penalty to eight former Indian navy personnel, accusing them of espionage on behalf of Israel. Among those sentenced are Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Rajesh. All of these ex-naval personnel were employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private company owned by a former officer of the Oman Air Force. This firm was responsible for providing training and various services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. India appears to be heading towards increased international humiliation and isolation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India continues to engage in actions that tarnish its remaining global reputation, revealing a growing degree of cynicism day by day. Not too long ago, the Canadian Prime Minister subjected India to global humiliation, but the recent execution of eight Indian officers by Qatar for allegedly spying for Israel has further eroded India’s standing. India’s relentless humiliation on the world stage seems to have left it disoriented. Following Canada’s actions, India, instead of amending its objectionable mindset, engaged in yet another disgraceful act by violating the working boundary with Pakistan. Most recently, a spy drone attempted to breach Pakistan’s territory and india initiated unprovoked firing, prompting a retaliatory response from Pakistan. India persists in its actions marked by cowardice and treachery, but consistently fails in its endeavors. Indian forces violated the ceasefire on the working boundary in the Zafarwal sector of Sialkot, unleashing unprovoked gunfire. It has been reported that Indian forces initially attempted an incursion into the Zafarwal sector using a quadcopter drone, which Pakistan’s forces promptly thwarted. Subsequently, the Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani posts in an apparent bid to obscure the failure of the quadcopter operation. The Pakistan Army responded decisively to the Indian aggression, offering a comprehensive rebuttal to the hostile incursion. In response to these developments, the Additional Deputy Commissioner issued a high alert in border areas, mosque announcements were made, emergency camps were set up in affected regions, and the process of migration from various areas was initiated. Another instance can be seen in Sri Lanka, which has experienced interference from India on several occasions. In the past, a collective of Sri Lankans implored India to refrain from meddling in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs, particularly by criticizing Colombo’s intentions to curtail the rights of provincial councils established to share power with the ethnic minority Tamils. Approximately 100 demonstrators from the Federation of National Organisations, a coalition of nationalistic groups, conducted a silent protest in front of the Indian embassy in the capital city, Colombo. They urged India not to intrude in Sri Lanka’s internal matters. This protest followed criticism from prominent Indian politicians regarding the Sri Lankan government’s proposal to reduce the powers of provincial councils established to share governance with Tamils. In 1987, Sri Lanka and its more influential neighbor signed an agreement that led to amendments in Sri Lanka’s constitution, permitting the creation of provincial councils aimed at devolving power as part of an effort to resolve Tamil militancy. The offer, however, was rejected by the Tamil Tiger rebels, who were beginning a futile civil war to establish a separate state for Tamils, deeming the granted powers insufficient. Subsequently, an Indian peacekeeping force sent to Sri Lanka to assist in implementing the agreement found themselves embroiled in combat with the Tamil rebels before eventually withdrawing in 1990. India had a substantial stake in the conflict due to the presence of a sizable Tamil population in southern India. India has a longstanding history of interference and embroiling Pakistan in controversies. India has conducted several false flag operations against Pakistan, casting doubt on its credibility and reliability as a nation, as no concrete evidence has been produced in support of its claims. A recent conversation between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Governor of Occupied Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, on October 14 has come to light. In this discussion, the former Governor of Occupied Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, asserted that Prime Minister Modi exploited the Pulwama incident for political advantage. Rahul Gandhi responded by stating that Modi prevented him from receiving the bodies of the martyrs, locking him in an airport room. The entire incident was manipulated by Modi for political gain. Satya Pal Malik disclosed that when he informed Modi that Pulwama occurred due to their mistake, he was ordered to remain silent. He claimed that Ajit Doval and Rajnath Singh also instructed him to maintain silence. The former Governor of Occupied Kashmir mentioned that the BJP deliberately pinned the blame on Pakistan for Pulwama to gain political mileage. Numerous alerts were relayed to warn about the attack, but Modi was occupied with other matters. In his conversation with Rahul Gandhi, Satya Pal Malik noted that the Modi government compelled the army to travel by road instead of by air, and the suicide car used in Pulwama roamed freely on the roads for ten days. On the day of the attack, no additional security measures were implemented. Rahul Gandhi pointed out that Atiq Ahmed was killed in front of the media to divert attention from Satya Pal Malik’s revelations. The former Governor of Occupied Kashmir disclosed that he was transferred five times as punishment for speaking about Pulwama. Readers, India has been exposed as an international actor with a history of interference and involvement in the affairs of other countries. India’s actions raise questions about its commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and responsible international conduct. To some, India represents a potential threat to global peace and sovereignty. Therefore, it may be time for the international community to consider designating India as a nation that engages in acts of interference and compel it to cease such actions in other countries.
