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Friday, July 21, 2006
While India demands Pakistan rejects extradition of Dawood Ibrahim and other terrorists Indian demand which essentially is a rehash of past demands reflects the general atmosphere of cluelessness post the July 11th Mumbai Terrorist Attacks. The fact that there is no new intelligence or a irrefutable body of evidence has dented the Indian credibility in making a case internationally on ascribing the blame to anyone group or country of origin. The premature euphoria in India on the G-8 statement in condemning terrorism in Mumbai is another example that the Indian Government is quite content with securing the usual statements of condemnation and parroting the cliched demands and putting the issue to rest. Musharraf on his part has cleverly continued the cloak and dagger Salami Tactics of the past century with his all pervasive charm on the television screen and tone of sincerity in an attempt to preserve international goodwill while appearing reasonable to a domestic constituency within Pakistan. The Pakistani establishment and the militancy in Kashmir has mastered the art of Salami to bleed India without actually being hurt in a significant way. To further understand this Art of the Salami, consider this conversation between the Indian Prime Minister and his National Security Advisor. Transcript of a conversation between, the Prime Minister (PM) and his National Security Advisor (NSA) NSA: Prime Minister, you believe in the nuclear deterrent? PM - Oh, yes NSA: Why? PM: Pardon? NSA: Why? PM: Because it deters. NSA: Whom? PM: Pardon? NSA: - Whom? Whom does it deter? PM: Our neighbours from attacking us. NSA: Why? PM: - Pardon? NSA: Why? PM: They know if they launched an attack, I'd press the button. NSA: - You would? PM: Well, wouldn't I? NSA: Well, would you? PM: At the last resort, yes, I certainly would. PM: Well, I think I certainly would. Yes. NSA: And what is the last resort? PM: If our neighbour tries to annex Kashmir. NSA: You only have 12 hours to decide, so you're saying the last resort is the first response? PM: Am I? NSA: You don't need to worry. Why should the enemy try to annex Kashmir ? They can't even control NWFP. No, if they try anything, it will be salami tactics. PM: Salami tactics? NSA: Slice by slice. NSA: One small piece at a time. So will you press the button if they cross the LOC ? PM: It all depends. NSA: On what? Scenario one. Riots in PoK town bordering China, homes in flames. chinese fire brigade cross the border for help. Would you press the button...? PM: mmmm..... NSA: The pakistani rangers come with them. The button...? PM: mmmm...... NSA: Then some pakistani troops, more chinese troops just for riot control, they say. PM: mmmm...... NSA: And then the rangers are replaced by regular army. Button...? PM: mmmm....... NSA: Then the Chinese troops don't go. They are invited to stay to support civilian administration. The civilian administration closes cross border BUS and Train service. Now you press the button? PM: I need time to think about it. NSA: You have 12 hours. PM - Have I? You're inventing this. NSA: - You are Prime Minister today. The phone might ring now from Western Command. NSA: The Pakistani army accidentally on purpose cross the frontier with Chinese Troops behind them on their border. - Is that the last resort? PM: - No. NSA: Right, Suppose the Pakistani troops invade into villages and occuppy positions like in Kargil Suppose their tanks and troops have taken vantage points ? - Is that the last resort? PM: - No. NSA: Why not? PM: We'd only fight a nuclear war to defend ourselves. That would be committing suicide! NSA: So what is the last resort? Connaught Place ? Sansad Marg ? The Constitution Club? PM: Maybe the nuclear deterrent makes no sense. NSA: - Yes, it does. If the Pakistanis or Chinese have the bomb, so must India . And keep Iran just in case. PM - What are you proposing? NSA: You wouldn't really press the button. PM: - I might if I had no choice. NSA: They'll never put you in a situation where you have no choice. They'll stick to salami tactics. This hypothetical conversation was an adapation of the British Comedy Yes Prime Minister to the Indo-Pak context. While the terrorists and elements within Pakistan continue to devise ways to bleed India slice by slice with no fear of reprisal, Musharaff at every point in time has charmed the International Media, the Americans and quite a few Indians enough to ensure that there is always a choice in preserving him and his establishment. The Americans view him as vital to the War on Terror compelling the Indians to always talk peace with him rather than exercise the nuclear option. There is no effective deterrent to Pakistan's Salami Tactics against India. India's approach to Terrorism in its Neighbourhood is neutered by the lack of strategic options. Offstumped Bottomline: The cancer of terrorism cannot be fought by conventional law enforcement and diplomacy. India needs to craft a strategy that hurts Musharraff and compels him to act. India needs to execute on this strategy in a way that it inflicts a huge cost on those sponsoring and committing acts of terror. A debate on unilateral withdrawal of moratorium on first use of nuclear weapons and a strategy to effect regime change in Pakistan must be part of such of an approach. Until then Pakistan's Salami Tactics will continue to bleed India. -- OffStumped For All Things Right of Center, Bringing a Right of Centre Reality Check to Indian Politics, News Media Reporting and Opinion through Blogs and Podcasts. -- Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Yossarin at 2:27 PM |
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