Shortly after the Mumbai attacks, I asked whether India faced a trial of patience in persuading Pakistan — with help from the United States — to take action against the Islamist militants it blamed for the assault on its financial capital. India’s approach of relying on American diplomacy rather than launching military action led to some soul-searching among Indian analysts when it failed to deliver immediate results. But is it finally beginning to bear fruit?
Former Indian diplomat M K Bhadrakumar writes in the Asia Times that diplomatic efforts over the Mumbai attacks are entering a crucial phase. ”After having secured New Delhi’s assurance that India will not resort to a military strike against Pakistan, Washington is perceptibly stepping up pressure on Islamabad to act on the available evidence regarding the Mumbai attacks.”
Earlier this week, Pakistan admitted that the lone surviving Mumbai gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, was a Pakistani. The head of Pakistan’s powerful spy agency, the Inter-Services intelligence or ISI, also gave a conciliatory interview to German magazine Der Spiegel. Lieutenant-General Ahmad Shuja Pasha ruled out the possibility of war with India. “We may be crazy in Pakistan, but not completely out of our minds. We know full well that terror is our enemy, not India,” Dawn newspaper quoted him as saying.
Indian newspapers have seen Pakistan’s acceptance of Kasab’s nationality as a step in the right direction, while recognising that further progress will be slow. ”The admission by Pakistan is also an indicator for the establishment that the diplomatic pressure is finally getting some results,” the Economic Times said. “But New Delhi is also aware that it will take a lot of time and effort to push Pakistan to take even small steps.”
So how is that going to play out in the context of a new administration taking over in Washington, a government in Delhi coming to the end of its term and facing elections due by May, and a civilian government in Pakistan still trying to find its feet after years of military rule?.
Bhadrakumar says that “the United States could be on the threshold of a big breakthrough in the geopolitics of the South Asian region” if it succeeds in convincing Pakistan to crack down on Islamist militants while also nudging India and Pakistan to work together to put their relationship on a sounder footing.
But that will require quick work by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama, which according to the New York Times is likely to include the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as a special envoy for India and Pakistan, and a further trial of patience for the outgoing Congress-led government in Delhi.
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Has any of the Pakis here heard about the invasion of Kashmir by Kabailis and Paki army in 1948 leading to accession of Kashmir into India. Has any Paki heard about Operation Gibralter by Ayub Khan into Kashmir (The original Kargil operation by Pakistan), which resulted in the 1965 war and later firmed up India’s resolve to teach Pakistan a lesson in 1971. So, my dear Paki chicken heads you are a race who loves to take on and then get kicked on your b**s. You are lucky to have India as your neighbour, any other country would have treated you long back and contineously since then as Isreal is treating Gaza now. You carry on with your murderous games and we Indians send you truck loads of food items, when there was food shortage in Pakistan (When I.K. Gujral was India’s PM). Come on, go to school, get educated, get some moral education, learn some humanity. 95% of you population does not get square meals a day, think about them. DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE THAN JUST BREED AND BREED TERRORISTS. MAY YOU HAVE GOOD SENSE THAN JUST TRYING TO COMPETE WITH INDIA MILITARILY. WE INDIANS WOULD LOVE TO LOSE TO YOU ECONOMICALLY. GOD BLESS YOU.
- Posted by DebojitPakistan is teetering on the edge. Its in India’s hands whether to give it a nudge and send it into anarchy or help Pakistan and have a more stable and hopefully friendly neighbour in the future. It is in everyones interest that India chooses the latter. After all, not 60 years back, both Indians and Pakistanis were countrymen and were being oppressed in equal measure. Partition was a mistake, hopefully in time, we can correct that. But for now, we should settle for peace as India and Pakistan are culturally and historically linked and if it weren’t for Jinnah’s folly, things would have been different and maybe even worse and if it weren’t for the nukes, there would have been war. But if Pakistan does not cooperate, India must do all it can to destroy it and it’s people a la Cato and his “Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam”
- Posted by VortunI am an INDIAN,
And we want the POK back, then only we can solve the Kashmir Issue. Let our military operate and accupy POK. If they use nuclear power lets see, we Indians should be ready to face anything. Lets smash the enemy at one time. We cant give this same situation to our next generation. Let them leave in peace.
The pakisthani’s who are reading see my comment below,
Why do you think INDIA as your Enemy..? list the reasons then open all News papers of other countries(Except PAK and INDIA) and see the HISTORY who attacked first and why. Who is wrong. The reason is only that You want Kashmir, which is part of INDIA by any means of document or by History. Also, Pakistan was Part of INDIA, but you people think the other way. Why pak’s alwasy thinking from otherside, see the way how world is seeing. The wars are only for Land and Relegion, nothing is for people. If Islam is great, its ok guys.. you fallow it. Let others live in peace.
Thats the only way to live in peace world. Lets hope one fine day you guys will understand.
The convertions from one Relegion to Another should be stopped world wide, its the only way to solve each and every problem.
- Posted by LokeshPakistani’s should first understand that Mumbai is not India. Just because Muslims are not treated well in some place does not mean they not treated well overall. Yes one of our President is a Muslim and we are all proud of him. We are all proud of every muslim who lives in India and hates Pakistan for supporting Mumbai Attacks and trying to cover itself. I don’t understand one thing that you can list the best things of pakistan. We dont have to, as they are not countable and we have succeeded in every step we took. We have our own internal problems like any other country and let me tell you pakistani’s that it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. You might argue that Terrorism is one of your internal problems as well then keep it to yourself and kill among each other don’t send them in here. If this repeats, India will not sit quite and nor will any other country. You have the proof of what happened in Gaza. So you better get your story right and don’t get yourself kicked by India as you did in the last 3 wars. Now I realize what Musharaf meant when he said that he is not leaving the presidency for good of pakistan. I think he knew once you get democracy you guys will all go crazy and speak out all nonsense. You deserve to be under a dictator who can guide you all the time with a gun to your head only then you will listen or else you will blabber all nonsense like this.
- Posted by SunnyHi,
I am from Pakistan. But i still believe that India is right. we have so many things that needs to be change to come out of this situations.
Pakistan should focus on new growth and development. right now pak is spending 70-80% of its forign aid on miletry and terror activities…
They should stop that.
- Posted by RehmanHi Mr Peace….you were too right to boast about your nation Pakistan with many good things in the world.
Now….if you haven’t forgotten Pakistan was a piece of India not many years ago. Imagine…if a small part of India which got separated in 1947 had so many good things…huh huh…what do you think India would have…man we stand way too high than you can ever fathom…
- Posted by IndianWell, I have gone thru the comments posted against Indian Hindus and putting fingers on Indian muslims whenever any terror strikes happens in India.
If you go thru the records in all cases Muslims has been found. Terror on Mumbai could not been possible without help from Pakistan official. I am not sure what Pakistan is gaining by sponsring terror in India. They should have looked into there devlopment and strengthing the financials. If Pakistan feels by this they will seprate J&K from India then they are fool. Pakistan should not dream for what is not possible even in dream. Instead of that they should ensure the country grows.
- Posted by KKThere are good and bad people in every religion but it depends who is having more strength. In Pakistan few people floods there hatness over INDIA (only India) to gain sympathy by giving fake information and gain the sympahy of common people. This is quite natural as everybody love and can die for there country.
Suggestion will be Pakistan should provide country financial/education/growth information to common people so that they will understand where they are. Or ultimately one day one revolution will happen in Pakistan and that will be new era.
OK lets take on first the issue of Pakistan being a muslim nation.The migrated muslims from India are still called mohajirs in pakistan & are treated as second rate citizens.Pakistan has all the mineral resources agreed but what it does with that.Hovering on the brink of bankruptcy for the past many decades proves this.These are the actual facts & instead of solving its own problems they waste money in nuclear arms capability.They should immediately stop not in principle but in practice the support to all terrorist outfit OR the so called jehadis.
- Posted by rdPLEASE TRY AND CLEAN YOUR OWN HOUSE FIRST YOU HAVE KILLED MORE OF THERE OWN PRESIDENTS & PRIME MINISTERS.
1)Pakistan govt,ISI and Army are well involved in terror strikes in India for the last 20 years and Mumbai is just the new one.
- Posted by Amit2)Pakistan’s survival lies on Hate India propaganda.
3)What binds pakistanis is Hate and terrorism against India.
4)US just don’t worry about anyone but there interests.For 2 isralis death they allowed israel to kill 900 in Gaza,so US is only a selfish country.It can ruin iraq,afganistan and others in the name of freedom but not others.
5)Pakistan is a failed state and its high time to cease its china made nuclear weapons ASAP,that would be good for ppl of India.
6)Pakistan is source and epicenter of terrorism.
7)Its in India’s best interest to teach pakistan army ,govt,people and ISI a lesson to remember for decades.
8)India should not worried about western jokers and must punish pakistan hard.If west/US would be sensible,selfless and for peace then iraq,afganistan,gaza would have never happened.
9)Pakistan is a failed country,with no economy and respect, India shud brk it into pieces for its own good.
I am amazed that you could use the words, truth, peace loving and responsible in the same sentence with Pakistan. The world knows that all roads lead to Pakistan when it comes to terrorism. You make it sound like Pakistan is a great place to visit. Yes maybe if you are a Muslim but if you believe in a different religion you get killed. The country is 98% Muslim and has now tolerance for anyone of a different religion, for the rest of the world it is a dangerous place to visit. ALL civilized advanced countys in the rest of the world are diverse, tolerant and ruled by law, not by repression.
- Posted by ChuckcA good example is how Pakistan handled the ID of the only terrorist captured, they knew right away that he was Pak but refused to admit it. Mumbai was planed and launched from Pakistan, maybe the government had something to do with it maybe not. If the government was involved it makes since why they denied it but if they were not involved they should do everything they can to make sure it does not happen again. You forget India has five times the population and is much more advanced than Pakistan so you are playing with fire if they keep on poking a stick at India.
Since mumbai incident, india and its people start barking on Pakistan and providing false evidences about involvement of Pakistan, whether state or non-state actors. Yesterday indian news channel “NDTV” showed the items recovered from boats supposedly used by so-called terrorist, in all items there was mention that “Made in Pakistan”, to my amaze they showes one pistol where it is written “Daimond.Made in Peshawar” What a funny story and they want world to believe that. Let suppose that mumbai attack was not planned by india, then do you expect such highly trained, professional and killing machines to do such things that they bring things which were all marked as “Made in Pakistan”.
What is really happening? - for india it is the right time to get away from Pakistan, the strongest and the only threat to india, not only in armed infrastructure but also in economic terms, Obama will soon start taking decision, so before he could learn about indian politics, india will go to him and beg for safety from Pakistan. Obama, being gentlemen, will have soft corner if india could prove that Pakistan is supporting terrorist activities. But india forgets that success lies only in truth and truth is that PAKISTAN is a peace loving, and a responsible country
1) Pakistan has world’s largest WiMAX network
2) Pakistan enjoys all weather in its environment
3) Pakistan has city called “Swoat”, its Snowfall is much better than Switzerlands’
4) Pakistan has the mountainous region, it has K-2, highest peak in the world,
5) Pakistan has Gas, Iron, Minerals and etc. resoviour in different parts
6) Pakistan has chain of five rivers
7) Pakistan has white dolphins
Pakistan has best sea shores for surfing and boating
9) Pakistan is the world best in surgical instruments, sports goods and wodden furntiture.
10) Pakistan has more than 5% area covered with natural forest.
11) Pakistan is a nuclear state and self sufficient in many things despite being not so priviledged by world
11) And many more….
All such things in a country called PAKISTAN annoyed india, russia, because only these two countries have problem with PAKISTAN…
So wake up and start thinking positively…
- Posted by PeaceLong live and Prosperous Pakistan.
Bottom line — Jinnah was the FOOL of Century and nobody else but Pakistanis only proved it.
Why I am saying this, let me support my position, Have you ever heard this saying \”Ek Taraf Kuan (well) aur dusri taraf Khai\” Pakistan is in this classic situation.
On one side since it was formed (itself) on the principles of Islam, it can\’t simply walk away from Arabs, Saudis and Islamic world which moderately doesn\’t believe existence of Islamic terrorism and support Islamic Jihad as a way of Islam against non-believers.. Good example is what is happening in SWAT.
On the other hand, India was formed on the Principles (at least Principles) of Secularism and under main lead of Mr. M.K. Gandhi, widely accepted by western/New world Order philosophy (against Mr. Jinnah), so if Pakistan goes on this Philosophy now, as it Portrays to, the Islamic-Pro-Pakistanis & Moderates would not ask this question, why even Pakistan was created??
- Posted by PrashantHussain
–’The fact is muslim gave a lot of India but the unthankful indians…’
—The ‘unthankful Indians’ would love to give back the Muslims whatever they have given them since centuries with interest & ‘thankfully’…
- Posted by AnupIf India can help break Pakistan in two as it did 1971 and also provide all sort of help to the balochis then I totaly agree with this comment!
Pakistan is also got full right and justification to help the separation of Jammu and Kashmir from India.UNO resolution of 1948 for plebiscite has not been implemented by Indian Governments as promised by Nehru.
But UN is just a tool of the West, as Mr Bhutto once said in speech at the UN….”UN only purpose is to legalise occupation e.g. Palestine. Agression e.g. Iraq n Kashmir and legalise everyhting that was illegal, is legalised via the UN. I totaly agree with his views as would any person with being biased.
If you read some of the comments, you can sense that indians are enraged at Pakistan not for what hapenned in Bombay but why a Muslim land was carved out of Greater India. My answer to that is just look how you treat Muslims everytime there is bombing innocent Muslims are through into the cells. Even tho the fact is its the hindu fanatics that have a free hand to commit any crime without ever facing justice and clear example is gujrat.
I knwo some idiot will refer to the president being Muslim. by promoting couple of individual can not hide the true plightof the indians. Just have a look at the statistic and they will show how lierate the Muslim in India are and their general standard of living.
Muslims cant even buy land in bombay without geting death threats of hindu fanatics. The fact is muslim gave a lot of India but the unthankful indians are like snakes doesnt matter how much you feed it will always bite whenever it gets the chance.
I suggest all you idiots who have so much time topaki bash go and find the black sheeps in your own flock first. Hands off the Pakistan, and carry on barking as you would anyway!!! lol
- Posted by HussainALeTHEA….
These are the sort of people we have to put with, war mongers, Hindu fanatic thinking, muderers its people like rajat n few others idiots who have no sense at all.
The only way to win out of this war against terrorism is through mutual co-operation. But whenever Pakistan have sincerely offered to resolve its disputes through a meaningful talks. India ruling elite have always took the offer of help as Pakistan being weak and therefore no need to sit on the table.
Isnt stoping water via dams on indian side of Kashmir a violation of Indus treaty? YES…and an act of agression!YES!
Not letting the pople of Kashmir decide to have a pebilicite in whole of kashmir so they can choose their own destiny. By not allowing that India not complying with Un resoulution..YES!
Being a democracy but, up till this day did not even bring the perpertators of Gujrat riots to justice or the babri mosque or the torcehrs of churches in orissa. The rapest soldeirs in Kashmir.
Meddling in internal affiars of other neighubring countries e.g. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and dont forget the Tamil tigers in Sri Lanka and now in Afghnistan..
I think if India sorts its own attitude and stops trying to be bully in the South Asia and works sincerly with its neighours not only will gain respect. But this would a BIG help in bringing the poors in the region to have finally a better standard of living.
- Posted by AliLong live peace! Go to hell all idots n war mongers n morons!!!
Well, Rajat, you have made it very clear, in very rude language, what you think of my opinion on the reconciliation between India and Pakistan.
In that case, you may continue your soliloquy…
- Posted by AlethiaAlethia
You can take your feelings and hike it where it don’t shine.
We’ve seen enough from you smug Pakistanis offering commiserations even as you smirk and laugh at Pakistan being able to get away every time with sponsoring murder.
We’ve seen enough of you closet jihad supporters who offer general condemnations but turn defensive when mountains of evidence point back to Pakistan.
The fact that it took so long for Pakistan to even agree that one gunman is a Pakistani citizen shows how insincere Pakistan is. GeoTV and Dawn proved weeks ago that Kasab is a Pakistani and yet Zardari and others kept lying to the world.
In case we haven’t understood this before, Indians must understand that Pakistan will always use jihadis as policy tools and will keep using them unless an unbearable cost is imposed on the country.
- Posted by RajatIndia and Pakistan are inching closer to cooperation on anti-terorism. The progress has been too slow but there is now definite progress. And I applaud India for its patience and restraint.
As far as I can ascertain, most Pakistanis do not support terrorism and that includes any terrorism against India. Yes, there are elements in Pakistan that find it difficult to fathom cooperation with India. But cooperation in most other fields have been accomplished so this aspect is bound to follow.
My abiding feeling is one of revulsion against the terrorists of the Mumbai massacre. But I am also saddened by the setback in relations between India and Pakistan.
Events before the terorist attack were going well between them and now the atmosphere has become a bit poisoned.
But I have faith that eventually the 2 countries will cooperate and realize the common cause that they must face together.
Hope this comes true.
- Posted by AlethiaAll these days , every top spot of power in Pakistan are contradicting each other and the pain it took for them to disclose the nationality of Kasab is no good news for India .Given that Pakistan may reluctantly agree to investigate India’s claims ,it’s still difficult for India to make Pakistan work for peace because the Government of Pakistan itself sympathize LeT and any action against LeT by Pakistan will again invoke huge unrest in Pakistan…
- Posted by mitchellLet us not forget history.Any joint mechanisms would be the ground for deception and thus leads to fomenting internal strife,reorganizing Indian Muslims and ultimately grabbing large chunks of our country.Whenever I see our so called ‘intellectuals’ sitting along with Pakistanis,I am petrified.This was how our forefathers lost our country.Believing the wrong people at the cost of the nation.Please recall our Ambassador,cut off all trade and transport and tighten the security.We are strong enough,but we need good,smart,dedicated leadership.A lamb and a wolf can never make friendship.Don’t sacrifice more Indian lives.
- Posted by Raj