Change in India Pakistan Relations Post Mumbai Attacks.

India and Pakistan is the end product of the two nation theory. The bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan has always been marred with violence and constant disbelief of each other’s intention to bring an ever lasting solution for Kashmir conflict. Of late Kashmir has been regarded as an area buzzing with terrorist activity, loosing thousands of innocent lives to such barbaric acts year after year.

KASHMIR CONFLICT

Before we discuss about the bilateral events and the change after Mumbai attack a peep into the root cause of tension is essential. The conflict started when the King of Kashmir decided to join the Indian union, regardless of the fact Kashmir is predominantly a Muslim populated region. This was totally unacceptable to Pakistan and they still fail to accept Kashmir as an integral part of Indian territory .In order to create an democratically unstable region so as to turn the people of Kashmir against the Indian government, a lot of terrorist camps has mushroomed in and around Pakistan occupied Kashmir with funding from Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir development have been hindered by cross border terrorism since independence.

INDO-PAK RELATION BEFORE MUMBAI ATTACK

After the Kargil war and the parliament attack in 2001 which brought both the nation to the brink of nuclear war, the bilateral relationship has improved in leaps and bounds. The trade between two nations resumed - Samjhauta Express , Delhi–Lahore Bus ,Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus , Thar Express , Indo-Pak Confederation, Indo-Pak Joint Judicial Committee were some of the high points. Even the Indian cricket team visited Pakistan for a full series after a long gap of 14 years. The troop withdrawals from Line of Control on both sides were well appreciated by the world community. There was a strong resolve from both sides to settle Kashmir conflict once and for all in a peaceful manner. No concrete talks about this issue have taken place after Agra summit in 1998. The restoration of trade links could have been considered as small but strong step in settling the Kashmir issue. Democracy being reinstated in Pakistan after a decade of dictatorship was also considered as a great impetus for peaceful relationship between the two nations.

INDO-PAK RELATION POST MUMBAI ATTACK

Bilateral relation changed from sweet to sour when a group of terrorist attacked Mumbai on 26 / 11. Cross-border terrorism was always a major concern for our country. And terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir did not help the matters at all. The Mumbai attack can be considered as the last nail on the coffin, there was no way India could leave Pak terror groups get away with gruesome and dastardly attack on the financial capital of our country This has severely hampered the bilateral relationships. The confidence building measures and other initiative to bring peace to sub continent have gone in vain. Even after repeated request from Indian side to Pak to close down all terrorist camps in Pakistan, it fell on deaf ears. Pak president’s comment that terrorist are non-state actors and government of Pakistan has no role to play in it despite concrete evidence against them added fuel to fire. The sudden reaction from the Indian government to snap all the trade ties with Pak was a result of this immature stand of Pak government. The secretary level talks between both sides on important matters like foreign policy, commerce, certain clauses in Shimla agreement, disputes in water sharing treaty has been put off indefinitely unless and until some concrete and stern step is taken by Pak government to curb the global menace of terrorism. In the future course of action, India has got many options in front of them. But care should be taken by India not to escalate the situation into a fully fledged war. It is to be noted that India and Pakistan are nuclear states. An armed confrontation between nuclear states is not the optimum move the world community is looking forward to. There is no point in India continuing to maintain cordial bilateral relationship with a nation known for their terror links also which provides the sufficient terror infrastructure for its training and support. India has to act as a responsible democracy in putting adequate pressure on Pakistan by sharing all the evidence gathered against the terrorist with the world community. This will force the Pak government to act against terrorist in an effective manner. The banning of JUD a terrorist organization linked with LeT by Pak government is a positive step but a long road is in front of them in gaining confidence of India and other nations of the world.

CONCLUSION

The menace of terrorism has to be wiped out at any cost. The world community has to play a more active role and economic sanctions have to be initiated against states promoting terror .Such nations should be branded as a terrorist state. The freezing of the fund flow to terror outfits will bring an end to the terror activity, to an extent. The United Nations has to come out of the shell and should play a pro-active role in uniting the nations of the world in curbing this inhuman act, by a few people in the name of religion or ideology. Ostracizing of such elements is need of the hour. Unless a strong and effective step is taken by Pakistan there is not even a glimpse of hope for restoration of bilateral talks and normalcy to return between India and Pakistan.

thanks to Raghu K