ANKIT BHATT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech triggered a new form of debate and raised Pakistan’s fault lines in the international community. The words remained a subject of protracted debate across the globe as it implied a new move in Indo-Pak relation. Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had referred to Pakistan and said, “You can’t shake hands with clenched fists”. These words stand true for Pakistan which fights a proxy war against in a longer run. Modi’s reference to Balochistan in his speech must not only be seen as a geo-strategic move but also a new chapter in the India-Pakistan diplomatic relationship.
Sun Tzu, a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher had said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Modi’s strategic move is an unprecedented step with a dose of boldness and determination, challenging Pakistan’s proxy-war policies, funding terrorist group and sheltering them in their own land.
There is a long-held view regarding India’s impression on international community when it comes to dealing with world politics and raising a defence front in the global context. Mr Modi moved a little far from old Nehruvian theory of not raising a defensive arm and portraying ideological image of ahimsa parmo dharma. Sun Tzu, a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher had said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Modi’s strategic move is an unprecedented step with a dose of boldness and determination, challenging Pakistan’s proxy-war policies, funding terrorist group and sheltering them in their own land. The Prime Minister’s words were no threat. So, why should we ponder upon his emphasis on Baloch concern?
Modi’s move were well-articulated and needed at this point in time. The international community must rise up to realisation and apprehend that Pakistan’s continuous knocking of the United Nations’ door and those of other international communities, complaining about human rights violation in India, is a camouflage, meant to erase its own suppression and genocidal activities in Balochistan. Liberation voices raised in parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir raises the alarm for the international community as well as for India. These regions live in a mess, deprived of any help from international communities, even Amnesty International, which is busy conducting seminars expressing vague concerns over Kashmir issue and overlooking the internal militancy threat. Ever since the Prime Minister’s speech from the Red Fort, it became clear that India will raise the issues of suppression faced by the Balochs and inside PoK.
Thanks to AIR (All India Radio), a decisive step for airing news in Balochi language, which will connect the people of Baloch to the outer world, has been taken. In a longer run, the new strike by Modi-led Government will play a crucial role in Balochistan and in its strategic location on both maritime and the land routes from the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula into Indian subcontinent. Balochistan comprises more than 42 per cent of Pakistan’s total geographic area. If extricated, Pakistan would eventually shrink.
The new trajectory in Indo-Pak diplomacy is well-plotted with due articulations and deliberations and will give rise to Indian strategic centrality to the region, supported by secured defence on its territory. Undoubtedly, Prime Minister Modi’s decision will be a strategic game-changer and determine the future of stability in South Asia.