Border skirmishes and sporadic incidents of cross LoC shelling on the line of control on one hand continue to soar the already fragile relationship between the two neighbouring nuclear states India and Pakistan while on the other hand Indian leaders’ uncouth and hawkish attitude towards Pakistan serve as the biggest irritants in maintenance of neighborly ties between the two states.
The diplomatic relationship between the two had unfortunately reached to lowest ebb, after the BJP took reins of power in New Delhi. Since then there has been no letup in the incidents of ceasefire violations on the LoC and this belligerence on the part of India has led to widespread death and destruction in the region. The incumbent dispensation in New Delhi has been deliberately creating a war-hysteria to divert world attention away from the real issue i.e. Kashmir. And Indian home minister Rajnath Singh’s recent statement is part of this grand design to keep situation on LoC boiling. Speaking at a function organised by a television channel, Singh while wiping up anti-Pakistan rhetoric said, “Indian security forces can cross the borders, if needed, to protect the country’s territorial integrity”.
Singh’s remarks have come in the backdrop of the heightened tensions along the ceasefire line. Pertinently, since the advent of New Year a number of civilians have lost their lives due to unprovoked shelling by Indian forces across the ceasefire line. It is unfortunate that this vicious cycle of violence has been going on in the region for last so many years and long drawn conflict has taken heavy toll on the lives of Kashmiri people living in Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir where unarmed and defenseless people are being killed day in and day out by Indian troops deployed in every nook and cranny of the valley. But unfortunate part of the whole saga is that international community seems least bothered about the happenings in the region. It is so disgusting that the Indian state terrorism in Kashmir goes unnoticed and unheard at international level and even nobody seems willing to stop this gory dance of death and perpetual threat to peace and security in the region.
Singh’s threatening statement, which is a clear indication of impending dangers, must serve as an eye-opener to world community because any misadventure by the Indian army on the LoC would certainly lead to disastrous consequences. It is time that international community must take effective cognizance of Indian belligerence and come forward in a big way to help resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute that happens to be bone of contention in the region. It is equally important that the India must accept the ground reality that any attempt to bully or coerce Pakistan will be counterproductive. It is therefore important that Indian must shun its policy of obduracy and create a congenial atmosphere for a sustainable dialogue to resolve Kashmir dispute peacefully as dialogue is the only civilized way to resolve political disputes.