Dhanwati Yadav
In view of pre-summit escalation of violence by Pakistan and subsequent expression of non-participation by member states in the SAARC summit that was scheduled to be organized in Islamabad in November, Nepal, the current chair of the SAARC has declared the summit cancelled.
The strong opposition of the member states Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan came to the fore following India’s condemnation of Pak sponsored terror attack on an Army unit in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed. In a retaliatory action the Indian Army launched a surgical strike targeting terrorist camps along the Line of Control (LoC) under its counter-terrorism operation. As a result, 38 terrorists got killed striking 27 camps. Iqbal Chowdhury, Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina issued a statement saying “India has got all legal, internationally accepted rights to make response to any attack on her sovereignty and her soil”.
If Pakistan persists with such a behavior, the day is not far when Pakistani citizens themselves will start abandoning their own land or revolting in disgust. Indeed, historically Pakistan’s government has not introduced any reformative-policies for its citizens; rather it is yielding and nurturing terroristic minds on its territory and becoming the main sponsor of terrorism globally.
Hence, India is virtually getting support from all quarters as the world better knows the self-centric intentions of Pakistan, but India shall have to continue to be pro-active in garnering international support and in corner Pakistan into being what it is, a “terrorist state.” China’s recent stand in the UN in support of terrorist Masud Azar (Jaish-e-Mohd.) by using its veto power to prevent him from being enlisted as an International terrorist against the common demand of the remaining fourteen members of the UNSC, while India proposed the issue is cause for concern. China, has also been providing Pakistan with countless little favours. In 2015, for example, China was the largest exporter of arms to Pakistan, with arms transfers worth $565 million, followed by the United States (US) with $66m.
The SAARC, charter adheres to the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual benefit. Pakistan has repeatedly breached a number of dimensions of this charter. The current scenario featuring also exposes Pakistan’s intention of promoting instability and terrorism instead of fraternity and peace in the region.
In fact, Pakistan’s greatest grudge is that it has consistently failed in capturing Kashmir as its territory so far, despite its prolonged and sustained efforts in promoting terrorist attacks on India’s sovereignty. But, it is easy to see what Pakistan would do by assimilating Kashmir, it would behave with its people in the same way as it has behaved with Balochis and one would see the Kashmiris becoming refugees and seeking asylum the world over.
Afghanistan’s support for India comes from the fact that it too has been a victim o Pakistan’s design to keep the region boiling and in a state of instability. Afghan Vice President Sarwar Danish issued a critical statement saying the “world knows where Taliban leaders live“. And now, the current condemnation by the member countries in the form of resistance for the holding of the SAARC summit in Islamabad shows how Pakistan has generated disgust against it in the region.
If Pakistan persists with such a behavior, the day is not far when Pakistani citizens themselves will start abandoning their own land or revolting in disgust. Indeed, historically Pakistan’s government has not introduced any reformative-policies for its citizens; rather it is yielding and nurturing terroristic minds on its territory and becoming the main sponsor of terrorism globally.
Interestingly in his public meeting in Kozhikode on 24th September Prime Minister directly addressed the people of Pakistan. It is this first in independent India’s history that an Indian Prime Minister did such a thing. He pointed out to them the condition of their state, its backwardness in terms of human development and how their leaders had neglected and exploited them over the years. His call to them was to refuse to continue to accept such a state of things. Prime Minister Modi pointed out how one day perhaps the people of Pakistan will be unwilling to lead such a pitiful existence and revolt against their leaders.
(PhD Research Scholar, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University)