Book Review: A Life in Diplomacy

Very few books are written about gradual evolution of Indian Diplomacy. The book “A life in Diplomacy” by Maharaja Krishna Rasgotra, offers rare insights about the individuals and early events that shaped India’s fledging foreign policy. He was among the second batch of 10 officers who joined the prestigious Indian Foreign Services (IFS) in 1949. Born on September 11, 1924, in a humble Dogra Brahmin family, Rasgotra obtained Masters in English from Punjab University and began his career as a tutor. The opening chapters of the autobiography gives the reader a glimpse of his childhood days, achievements at school and college, eloquence in Hindi poetry and the travails endured during partition. Aside emphatically interpreting crafty high-level diplomatic negotiations, Rasgotra unhesitatingly, narrates the tragedy that stuck their lives when they lost their 10-year old son. The equanimity and poise exuded by him is worth emulating.

During his long and eventful career, Rasgotra held official positions at mission offices at UN, UNESCO, Nepal, Britain, US, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Netherlands, besides serving as Foreign Secretary during the reign of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He officially retired from service in January of 1985 but continued to work as High Commissioner to the UK till 1990 upon the Prime Minister’s request. Written entirely from his memory, at the age of almost 90, the author eloquently narrates the story of India, the trials and tribulations faced.

Rasgotra begins the story of independent India by pondering on the unique contributions of pioneering leaders in Indian Diplomacy- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Dr. Sarvepalli RadhaKrishna, V. K. Krishna Menon and K. M. Panikkar. Days before independence, majority of the British officers who occupied high positions in External Affairs Department began to return to London or went to Pakistan. India was tasked with the burden of reorganization of the two departments, Departments of Common Wealth Relations and External Affairs. Rasgotra pays ode to Sir Girija Shankar Bajpai, who took the onerous task of the overhaul and reorganization of the department as the secretary general. Bajpai channelized and instituted the process of recruitment young and talented candidates to foreign services.

The book, unveiled by Yashwant Sinha, caught instant attention of strategic analysts with stunning revelations about Nehru’s refusal to accept President Kennedy’s offer for help in detonating a nuclear bomb in 1961. US intelligence was cognizant of China’s swift progress towards developing a nuke in late 1950’s. Kennedy who was admirer of India’s democracy wanted India to be the first country to test a nuke and not the Communist China. Hence Kennedy sent a hand written letter through US ambassador Galbraith with a technical note from the chairman of US atomic Commission offering assistance to Indian scientists for detonating an American nuke from the top of a tower in Rajasthan Desert. Being aware of Nehru’s commitment against nuclear arms, Kennedy persisted that “Nothing is more important than nuclear security”.  Nehru shared the letter with G. Parthasarathy and Dr. Homi Bhabha. Dr. Bhabha favored acceptance, but Parthasarathy sought time. After holding talks with Galbraith and B.M. Mullick, Parthasarathy recommended to spurn the offer. (B. N. Mullick, Director Intelligence Bureau, was indicted by Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report, for failing to assess Chinese preparedness along the border in 1960-61 leading to worst ever defeat of India at hands of China during 1962 war). A diplomatic misjudgment and seeking counsel from incompetent authorities played a havoc for India. This disclosure came at a time when India was valiantly lobbying various countries for NSG membership. Fifty years, hence, India is now struggling to get into the nuclear regime. The offer, if accepted then, could have averted the wars of 1962 and 1965 with China and Pakistan respectively. Besides these oft known diplomatic secrets, the book is replete of numerous anecdotes and incidents that offer a glimpse of Rasgotra’s rare mastery over India’s scriptures too.

Nehru was concerned about Tibet, which remained as an autonomous region from 1911. Emboldened by its triumph over Japan, China was eyeing to annex Tibet by late 1945. Rasgotra, mentions how Nehru wary of Chinese ways, sent an emissary asking members of Dalai Lama’s cabinet to apply for membership of the UN. Nehru indeed advised that newly formed UN is a powerful body and if Tibet becomes a member of UN, other member countries would definitely intervene in an event of Chinese occupation. Despite repeated emissaries, Lhasa evinced no interest. Before, it could wake up and realize the importance of UN membership, China annexed Tibet. Tibetan reoccupation in January 1950 critically altered India’s security stratagem. Till then India hardly bothered about the North-Eastern Frontier since, the friendly Tibet and the majestic Himalayas served as impenetrable barrier.

Similarly the book sheds light on the Shimla Agreement wherein India was criticized to have conceded to demands of Pakistan. A popular perception “we won war and lost the peace” emerged. In 1972, India won convincingly over Pakistan. Bangladesh was liberated, 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war were captured and India occupied areas of strategic importance to Pakistan (through which Pakistan gained entry into Kashmir Valley in 1965 and 1971). But according to the Shimla Agreement, India handed over prisoners of war and agreed to vacate the strategic positions as a goodwill gesture. Also, both countries agreed to resolve differences through peaceful bilateral negotiations ruling out third party intervention and that cease-fire line of 17^th December 1971 will be converted into Line of Control (LoC). Indeed Z.A. Bhutto in one-to-one talks with Indira Gandhi agreed to treat LoC as the international border and promised to persuade his people to support the same but later reneged. The architects of Shimla agreement were Haksar, D. P. Dhar and P.N. Dhar. Rasgotra says that he later asked Haksar as why he offered concessions at LoC, he revealed that Bhutto sought private meeting with him and fell on his feet.  Bhutto begged Haksar not to send him back empty-handed as he will be butchered by his enemies back in Pakistan. Haksar indeed trusted words of Bhutto only to be backstabbed later. Besides throwing light on oft discussed oracles of diplomacy, Rasgotra suggested few stratagems to evolve a sturdy foreign policy suited for changing global scenarios of 21^st century at the end of the book.

Shedding light on factors that messed up the Kashmir issue, Rasgotra indicated that armies of both India and Pakistan during the 1948 war were commanded by British Officers. Officers fighting for both sides were in touch with each other regularly and were controlled by British authorities. The British officers fighting for India ignored Nehru’s command and failed to Pakistan troops packing from the Gilgit-Baltistan region creating a formidable rift between warring neighbors. Consequently, the strategically important region is now jointly exploited by China and Pakistan. Harboring grudging animosities against India, Britain always sided with Pakistan and supported its stance on Kashmir at UN. Even as US gifted a submarine to Pakistan despite repeated pleas, Britain refused to sell one to India. In August 1953 India and Pakistan were close to resolving Kashmir issue through Nehru-Bogra agreement but US sabotaged the bilateral settlement. Nehru wanted to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir even it meant losing the valley. Bogra agreed to appointment of neutral administrator for plebiscite in Delhi but after his visit from US, he backtracked.

Though US displayed rejuvenated interest in fostering ties with India in past decade bestowing the status of strategic partner, he opined Russia had been India’s formidable ally. Russia had indeed vetoed at several occasions to protect Indian interests at UN. India must strive hard to strengthen bilateral ties with Russia. Regarding neighborhood policy he believed that India must deepen relations with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Burma and form a strong regional entity. He was highly critical of the double-speak of Nepal and firmly believed that India should be highly cautious of its Himalayan neighbor since it harbored anti-Indian forces and conceded vast ground to both China and Pakistan. He conceded that during 70’s and 80’s India was considered to be preachy, argumentative by the Machiavellian countries. India’s foreign policy buttressed by Non-Alignment was an idealist concept. Pragmatism, idealism and realism worked hand in hand in this policy. This concept evoked a flurry of reactions from nations ranging from curiosity to hostility. Major Powers misconstrued India’s policy and disliked it.  With global the fall of Soviet Union, NAM movement held no ground and it withered away throughout India firmly held on to the democratic principles and laid emphasis on peace and cooperation. With changing times, India has opened up its markets and adapted itself to the tunes of modern globalized society. These new transformations are now welcomed by nations and are keen on forging bilateral ties with India. Rasgotra advocates that India has entered such a propitious phase. But he warns that India should take lessons from past and should develop stable and unwavering neighboring policy rooted in the principles advocated by Kautilya. Above all he opines that foreign policy as a doctrine is primarily determined by civilizational and cultural cues.

Together,  the book is an amazing read to all foreign policy enthusiasts offering a fantastic overview of India’s diplomacy during the early years of independence and later. For all the rich details and rare insights the book, it qualifies to be a compendium on Indian diplomacy.

 

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PV Sindhu scripts history at the Rio Olympics

Carrying the burden of aspirations of billion odd people, 21-year old, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu entered the fray to chase the gold dream. Poised to fight the World no1 Carolina Marin, Sindhu demonstrated a methodical style of playing pocketing the first game 21-19 but soon the World Champion, armed with tactics of play, prevailed over the court and dominated the match with lightning fast returns. Despite her best efforts, Sindhu had to concede the second game 12-21. Regaining her original form Sindhu hit back in third game and it was a close call when the players were tied 10-10. But eventually Marin’s game plan penetrated Sindhu’s defensive which has been her forte to set her hands on the gold medal. Sindhu, as a debutant earned the well-deserved silver medal and made an indelible mark on Indians hearts with her stupendous efforts. With this medal, she has become the first ever female athlete to win a silver medal. In fact, she is now the youngest Indian to ever win medal at the Olympics. Sindhu in her first Olympics went down fighting as a seasoned and aggressive player. The fighting spirit displayed in Rio makes her the most promising player of present times.

India Olympic contingent represented by 119 strong athletes began its campaign at the Rio games on a high note. But the initial near misses and close encounter losses nearly drowned India’s chances of repeating a spectacular show at London Olympics 2012 where India held 2 silver and 4 bronze medals. Medal hopes continued to elude India. While the preparations for Rio were extremely robust and the performances of the athletes representing the team India were all time high, a rare enigma overwhelmed the Indian contingent. After a virtual medal drought for 12 days, light shone on India with Sakshi Malik winning a bronze medal in 58kg women’s wrestling category. The medal not only brought cheer to Indian camp but medal prospects in Badminton looked much brighter with Kidamabi Srikanth and PV Sindhu back to winning ways.

Badminton players entered the Rio games as hot favorites.  But Saina Nehwal’s, defeat in the preliminaries dimmed medal hopes. World no.5 Saina, Bronze medalist at London games crashed out in the preliminary round losing 18-21,19-21 to a World No.61 Ukranian player Maria Ulitina, in a match that lasted 39 minutes, while enduring excruciating knee pain.  India’s another medal hope, Sindhu was placed in the draw of three of the top eight players in the World. Though Sindhu has proved her mettle in pulling off easy victories against higher ranking players, Olympics is altogether a different ball game. In Group M match, she defeated Hungarian Laura Sarosi 21-8, 21-9. In the preliminaries she was pitched against World No. 20 Michelle Li of Canada, who defeated her at the Common Wealth Games.

In the three game match Sindhu had dropped a game giving a pang of doubt about her consistency for the next levels. But she battled real hard and bounced back in the most lethal way to win convincingly 19-21, 21-15, 21-17. In round 16 she decimated Tai Tzu-ying of Taipei Rank 8, known for her beguiling moves in straight games. By stunning the World No.2 Wang Yihan, Silver Medalist of the London Games in the Quarter finals, Sindhu crossed an insurmountable barrier. In the close contest that lasted for 54 minutes, Sindhu clinched the match 22-20, 21-19. Sindhu’s spirited performance reignited India’s hopes of medal even as top notch players crashed out under pressure. In the Semi-Finals Sindhu outplayed the World No 6 Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara, in straight games, 21-19, 21-10. Sindhu literally devastated the morale of the opponent in the second game by winning 11 straight points and sealed a victory in style. Semi-Final conquest ensured Sindhu of a silver medal.

Born on July 5th, 1995 to iconic Volley ball players Vijaya and Ramana, Sindhu got attracted to Badminton at a young age and pursued the sport with passion under the tutelage of Pullela Gopichand. Hailed as the second best Indian Badminton player after Prakash Padukone, his crowning achievements Include-Gold Medal at SAARC tournament, Silver medal in team event, bronze medal in Singles at 1998 Common Wealth Games, Scottish Open, Indian Open, All England Championship. As a token of appreciation for winning the All England Championship, government of Andhra Pradesh donated Gopichand 5 acres where he set up Gopichand Badminton academy with facilities of international standards at Gacchibowli, Hyderabad. Government of India bestowed him with Arjuna Award, Rajiv Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, Dronacharya Award and Padma Bhushan. Incidentally, Sindhu’s father was awarded Arjuna Award for his sporting abilities in Volley Ball the same year as Gopichand. Sindhu’s success story owes its origins to the Academy. Enamored by the flight of shuttle, Sindhu joined the academy in 2004.

She initially apprenticed under Mehboob Ali at the Badminton courts of Indian Railway Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications, Secunderabad. During the initial years of training since Sindhu’s family stayed 30 km away from academy she would travel 120 km a day to attend morning and evening sessions. Finally, Sindhu’s family shifted to a place closer to the academy. Steadily Sindhu scaled new heights in the game under the guidance of Gopichand.  She performed extremely well in the domestic arena at an early age and some of the distinguished land marks crossed her include-Servo All India Ranking Championship for under-10, won Ambuja Cements Singles title, gold medal at National School Games for under-14. She eventually found place in Uber Cup by 2010. By 2012, she was under-19 Asia youth champion and stunned the London games Gold medallist Li Xuerui and reached semi-finals of Li Ning China Masters Super Series. In 2013, she won Malaysian Open Grand prix gold title and also became first medallist at badminton world championship. She was conferred Arjuna Award in 2013 and the same year she won Macau Open Grand Prix Gold title and continued to win it three consecutive years. She managed to win back-to-back World Badminton Championship in 2014 and entered into top 10 World rankings. Sindhu defeated all the three seeded players –Wang Yihan, Carolina Marin and Tai Tzu-ying in 2015. In 2015, she has become youngest player to be awarded Padma Shri.  This year, besides winning the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold, she won Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold despite suffering an injury.

Indeed the astounding career peaks of Sindhu are shaped and chiseled by Gopichand, who is a hard taskmaster and relentlessly pushes his students to challenge themselves. Reckoned as leitmotif of discipline, Gopichand would himself arrive at the academy by 4 am every day. The first session of the day is dedicated to senior students like Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth. Being a fitness-freak at an age of 42, he toils hard to remain fit and agile. Coming from a family of sports persons, Sindhu had an inherent athleticism and propitious physical attributes. Over the years, through hard work and intense toil, Sindhu steadily acquired the quintessential attributes of dexterous footwork and masterly execution of strokes. Under the meticulous training of Gopichand she clocked career high ranking of World No.9 in 2014. Despite her glorious achievements, Sindhu never got the attention she deserved for all her achievements are shadowed by the illustrious player Saina Nehwal who sizzled like a star on international badminton platform. By winning bronze at London Olympics Saina scripted history to become first Indian badminton player to reach such a milestone. She reigned as the undisputed queen. With her path-breaking achievements, she remained the cynosure of all eyes. Sindhu was considered as the dark horse. Indeed the absence of spotlight helped Sindhu to silently introspect and rejuvenate herself from the harsh defeats she suffered. But steadily as Sindhu began to accumulate trophies and make a mark in the badminton arena, sporting experts began to take stock of this budding powerhouse of talent.

Under the operation Rio, unveiled by Gopichand for his students, Sindhu and Srikanth, he further intensified training and recruited special fitness trainers to work on the task of building strength, stamina and endurance of his students. Just like a military sergeant Gopichand worked and trained his “racquet wielding soldiers’” battle ready for Olympics. The results of the meticulous training seems to have yielded fruits. In fact, besides exuding the grit of a sportsman, Sindhu’s gesture on the court just minutes after her defeat earned her lot of accolades from near and far. After the winning stroke, as tears of joy erupted, Marin collapsed on her knees to the ground. Sindhu despite grieving like a wounded soldier, lent a hand to her opponent to get up, hugged her and gently put away her racquet where it belonged. The extraordinary sportsmanship reflected her simplicity and gentleness of a young lady.

The journey to Olympic finals was not easy. Undeniably Sindhu’s rise to crescendo reminded the old Gurukula culture of Indian civilization reflecting the unique bondage of Guru Dronacharya and Arjuna. Guru Dronacharya, a wise and inspired teacher recognizing immense potential and determination of Arjuna, chisels him with extra efforts and care to transforms him into an unassailable warrior. While the apocryphal parallels drawn to the current scenario may seem to be outstretched, India desperately needs contemporary Dronacharyas to revive its ailing sports arena.

Sindhu made history by reaching the pinnacles of the sport not scaled by any other Indian female athlete. Karnam Malleswari scripted history becoming first women to clinch a bronze medal in Olympics. Later, Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom and Sakshi Malik earned similar majestic honors. With an Olympic Silver, Sindhu surpassed the sporting icons and also raised the bar of aspirations for millions of young women. For the initial 12 days of Olympics, the medal-starved nation fervently prayed for a saving grace. The prayers were answered by Indian girl power who pounced back on the opponents as wounded tigresses and earned laurels for India through rare grit, determination and inexhaustible toil. Ironically despite the crushing weight of patriarchy, orthodox norms and gender suppression, it was the indomitable spirit of woman power that has revived spirits of 1 billion people and restored pride of India among comity of nations. 

 

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India’s evocative message to Pakistan’s pernicious game plan

The recent bold references to human rights violation perpetrated by Pakistan in Gilgit- Baltistan and Balochistan by Prime Minister Modi at the All Party Meeting and in his Independence Day address from ramparts of Red Fort marks a sudden shift in India’s stratagem towards Pakistan. Modi’s remarks are viewed as a tactical retort to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s complacent statement that Pakistan is dedicating its Independence Day to Kashmir’s freedom. India’s Balochistan outreach can be traced back to Ajit Doval’s stern warning to Pakistan “you do one more Mumbai, you lose Balochistan”. The temerity of Doval’s doctrine gradually made way to Modi’s Pakistani outreach which included a sudden stopover to Lahore to wish Prime Minister Sharif on his birthday. While Pathankot attacks unhallowed India’s hopes of peace with the neighbor, turbulence in Kashmiri Valley reflected Pakistan’s agenda of bleeding India with thousand cuts. Latest reference to Balochistan witnesses emergence of Modi-Doval Doctrine   marking an end to India’s hesitation to raise the issue of Balochistan when dealing with Pakistan. A sharp overview of the string of events that unfurled in the region in the past fortnight may help in appreciating the need for sudden shift in Indian strategy.

The quick turn of Pakistan-instigated events in the past five weeks has virtually pushed Kashmir Valley into chaos. Insidious perpetration of violence by Pakistan in the valley is now established beyond an iota of doubt. 22 year-old, Bahadur Ali, alias Saifuddin LeT who was captured in the North Kashmir by Indian security forces strengthened India’s suspicions. During the interrogations by National Intelligence Agency (NIA) he admitted to have worked for Jamat-Ud-Dawaa (JuD) headed by Hafeez Saeed from an age of 14. He was radicalized and motivated to join Jihadi movement after watching the videos of Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi, head of all-female group of Dukhtaran-e-Millat and other anti-India propagandists. Later he was trained and armed by the LeT (Laskhar-e-Taiba) under the aegis of Pakistan Military. For the past two years, he was working for Falah-e-Insaniyat (FIF), an NGO of LeT controlled by Hafiz Khaled Waheed, son-in-law of Hafeez Saeed. He revealed that a batch of three LeT terrorists, including him were pushed into Indian side around July 11-12 to foment terror. He said that when he got separated from others, he was scared and called LeT command centre PoK-3 headed by Khalid Waheed, who chided him to carry his orders. Ali’s confessions has added heft to India’s assertions of Pakistan’s role in Kashmir valley.

Pakistan’s Denial

Following the confessions of Bahadur Ali, India summoned Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit for promoting unabated infiltration of militants across the border and issued a demarche. As expected Pakistan immediately denied all the allegations. It claimed to have strictly adhered to the precincts of not allowing use of its territories for militant activities. Till now, India has submitted numerous dossiers but unfortunately nothing has ever changed.  Indeed submission of dossiers to Pakistani counterparts is rather churlish as Islamabad refuses to take any action under the ruse of insufficient evidence. In the latest move, India has allowed consular access to Bahadur Ali, made demarche public and allowed airing of confession of captured terrorist. Still Pakistan continues to feign ignorance and remains in denial mode. 

Overview of terror outfits

Though sanctions were imposed on various militant outfits that emanated from Pakistan’s deep state, international sanctions seems to have lost relevance over a period of time. Pakistan defied all international dictums. By cleverly changing the semantics of various outfits Pakistan is evading censure from international bodies. Primal militant organization, LeT was formed in 1990 with headquarters at Murdike, 30 km from Lahore. Funds from Saudi Arabia and assistance from ISI kept it afloat whereby it launched an armed struggle in Kashmir. After the attacks on Indian Parliament in 2001, LeT was banned. Later LeT’s co-founder Hafeez Saeed formed JuD. JuD has funds worth 400 crores of which, nearly half of them are obtained from illegal narcotic and arms smuggling. Besides, donations and assistance packages from Pakistan government keeps its coffers overflowing. JuD masterminded 26/11 Mumbai Attacks. Following an international outcry UN imposed financial sanctions and Pakistan was forced to ban JuD. Subsequently JuD began carrying out its nefarious activities under the banner of NGO FIF, a humanitarian relief and charitable organization.

Reports indicate that in 2010 militant outfits under the banner of FIF, delivered relief supplies to flood-affected people in POK and simultaneously expedited the process of radicalization & anti-India propaganda. Recently, acting on a tip-off, US designated FIF as foreign terrorist organization. Further, Saudi Arabia authorities while unearthing the links to attacks in Medina traced its origins to radicalization activities of FIF. Under the garb of charity, the militants are now trying to woo Kashmiris by dispatching food and relief supplies to the valley through FIF. The duplicity of Pakistan is glaringly repulsive.

 

 

India has refused Pakistan’s offer of supplies and India’s response can be summed up in the following clips:

 

The extent of Pakistan’s jingoistic rhetoric on Kashmir is inconceivable. It started running Azadi train carrying the posters of Burhan Wani across Pakistan.

 

Internationalizing Kashmir Issue

Pakistan rejuvenated interest towards Kashmir issue stems from various developments in the sub-continent. Counter-terrorism cooperation has become bedrock of Modi’s foreign policy outreach drawing lot of support from unexpected corners. India under Modi forged agreements with various nations for strengthening cooperation in intelligence sharing, monitoring terror outfits and tracking financial transactions. Modi’s flagrant amiability among Muslim countries and India’s growing comity among Pakistan’s neighbors has discomfited Islamabad. Pakistan began to feel the heat. Conjured with fleeting containment and stoppage of fund flows from US, Pakistan upped ante against India with a vise-like strangle hold on Kashmir.

Ashok Malik in his article outlined a plausible game play adopted by Pakistan. Latest global developments have driven Pakistan into Chinese embrace. To evade questions on the legality of planned China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the disputed territory of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Pakistan began its campaign at the UN by internationalizing Kashmir insurgency. He elaborates that the primary purpose of CPEC plan is not about enhancing the economic opportunities and seeking access to Arabian Sea. But under the ensign of infrastructure development through CPEC both countries are steadily installing military bases at strategic locations and integrating the region. To justify the construction of CPEC in disputed territory, China and Pakistan have colluded to turn Kashmir into bedlam of terror by stoking passions of civilians. With India slowly but steadily expressing concerns over latest developments in POK in bilateral talks with China and other international interlocutors, the onus of justification of CPEC is mounting. POK issue is finding a greater mention in international discourses with India raising the issue at UN General Assembly in 2015, in response to Sharif’s four point agenda. China’s international reputation which hit a low note for condemning the verdict of Court of Permanent Arbitration will be subject to more scrutiny for its involvement in developing military installations in a disputed region. To subvert the international comeuppance the duo are effectively raking up the Kashmiri rhetoric.

Previously Pakistan’s vociferous tirade against India was focused on denial of azadi to Kashmir. Now it has changed its stance. It no longer plays a second fiddle to voices of azadi but desperately aspires to annex the Indian part of Kashmir, safely overruling the fact that Kashmir is integral part of India. By making vicious propaganda about the killings of civilians, it intends to extend its claims over Indian part of Kashmir. Accentuated Sino-Pakistan ties emboldened Pakistan. Its bellicosity is reflected in the strident tenor and brazen public parade of strategic assets on streets of Islamabad protesting Rajnath Singh’s visit. Adding weight to these voices, Nawaz Sharif too sharpened attacks on Kashmir Valley turbulence. Declaration of black day, questioning of human rights violations at UN earlier this month were all small ploys in the larger scheme. Sharif’s references to Kashmir in a public speech in PoK hinting at eventual annexation are an outcome of the growing Pakistan-China nexus in the region. Vicious attacks of separatists against Indian state, orchestrated public outrage added more heft to this fictitious strategy.

Violating Indus Water Treaty

Now, Pakistan besides fanning terror in Kashmir it violating the Indus Waters treaty and contemplating to institute new arbitration proceedings against India at Hague. India is perhaps the only Asian country to have sealed landmark water sharing agreements with lower riparian states- Pakistan and Bangladesh. Honoring the rather unfavorable arbitrations, India amicably settled water sharing issues.  Violating the agreement of 1960 of mutually settling the issue, Pakistan is now seeking intervention of a third party. Pakistan is raising objections to construction of hydro-electric power projects- Kishenganga and Ratle. Ironically, Pakistan’s all-weather friend-China a birth place for several rivers hasn’t signed a single agreement with over 10 countries into which these waters flow. It is time India stops being overwhelmingly generous and naïve. New Delhi should now endeavor to garner support of like-minded countries, strengthen it claims on PoK, draw international attention to human rights violations in PoK and refer Pakistan’s prevarications to UN Security Council.  With Pakistan going all guns blazing to keep the valley boiling, Indian Parliament engaged in debate on Kashmir unanimously passed a resolution “appealing to the people of Kashmir Valley to restore peace and harmony”. Instead of raising tirade against Pakistan Indian political parties displayed abominable naivety by persisting on going ahead with dialogue process.

For the past seven decades, being a larger partner, India was considerate and offered several concessions to Pakistan (Shimla Agreement and Lahore Agreement). Smitten by acerbic animosity Pakistan always denigrated Indian disposition. Intriguingly so, Indian politicians too refused to learn lessons and diligently worked to engage with Pakistan and other stake holders controlled by Pakistan to discuss Kashmir issue. (While engagement with stakeholders is highly recommended for comprehensive integration, India failed to identify relevant stakeholders).Till now Pakistan has been raising Kashmir issue at every possible international forum even as the POK region has been silently bearing the brunt of Pakistani atrocities. India’s continued silence, muted response and uncharacteristic detachment from POK might be counterintuitive. Soon all narratives on massive human right violations carried out by Pakistan in POK will disappear from international discourse. While Rajnath Singh’s assurance in the Parliament that no talks will be held on Kashmir but only on POK is reassuring, India must strictly adhere to this new dictum. If India fails to raise from its seventy year old defensive enigma of fixing and resolving the Kashmir issue India forever will be mired in the stumbling block. Moreover with China indirectly aiding, supporting and goading Pakistan’s brutal cross-border terrorism India must now assert its claims over the entire province of Jammu and Kashmir. Else Pakistan’s iniquitous plans might contend that POK is not a disputed territory but its legitimate territory and that India illegally occupied Kashmir.

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