Is it Washington’s nudge?
In the course of his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama had remarked that “working with Pakistan and India to try to resolve the Kashmir crisis in a serious way” would be among the critical tasks of his administration if he was elected. Talking to Joe Klein of Time magazine, Obama elaborated :
“Kashmir in particular is an interesting situation (that) is obviously a potential tar pit diplomatically. But for us to devote serious diplomatic resources to get a special envoy in there, to figure out a plausible approach, and essentially make the argument to the Indians, you guys are on the brink of being an economic superpower, why do you want to keep on messing with this? To make the argument to the Pakistanis, look at India and what they are doing, why do you want to keep on being bogged down with this particular (issue) at a time when the biggest threat now is coming from the Afghan border? I think there is moment when potentially we could get their attention. It won’t be easy, but it’s important.”
New Delhi’s sudden announcement last week that India was willing to hold foreign Secretary level parleys with Pakistan has naturally made many political analysts in the country ask : is this the consequence of Obama’s above assertion being put into action?
The question people have been asking in a more straight forward manner is : After the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, India had been steadfastly refusing to resume talks with Pakistan until Islamabad brings those behind the Mumbai attacks to justice and cracks down on terrorist groups operating on its soil; is its latest U-turn on dialogue the upshot of a powerful nudge from Washington?
Little wonder, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, speaking in Pak-occupied Kashmir last Friday boasted gleefully that it was international pressure that had forced India to return to the negotiating table!
No Government in New Delhi can disregard the unanimous resolution adopted by the Lok Sabha in respect of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on February 22, 1994.
At a point of time when Pakistan seems to be gloating over the UPA Government’s volte face on the issue of Indo-Pak Dialogue, it would be pertinent to recall how categoric and unambiguous this parliamentary resolution has been. The text of this resolution (declared adopted unanimously by the Speaker) reads as follows:
“This House notes with deep concern Pakistan’s role in imparting training to the terrorists in camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the supply of weapons and funds, assistance in infiltration of trained militants, including foreign mercenaries into Jammu and Kashmir with the avowed purpose of creating disorder, disharmony and subversion;
Reiterates that the militants trained in Pakistan are indulging in murder, loot and other heinous crimes against the people, taking them hostage and creating an atmosphere of terror;
Condemns strongly the continued support and encouragement Pakistan is extending to subversive and terrorist activities in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir;
Calls upon Pakistan to stop forthwith its support to terrorism, which is in violation of the Shimla Agreement and the internationally accepted norms of inter-State conduct and is the root cause of tension between the two countries;
Reiterates that the Indian political and democratic structures and the Constitution provide for firm guarantees for the promotion and protection of human rights of all its citizens;
Regards Pakistan’s anti-India campaign of calumny and falsehood as unacceptable and deplorable;
Notes with deep concern the highly provocative statements emanating from Pakistan urges Pakistan to refrain from making statements which vitiate the atmosphere and incite public opinion;
Expresses regret and concern at the pitiable conditions and violations of human rights and denial of democratic freedoms of the people in those areas of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, which are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan;
On behalf of the People of India, Firmly declares that-
“The state of Jammu & Kashmir has been, is and shall be an integral part of India and any attempts to separate it from the rest of the country will be resisted by all necessary means;
India has the will and capacity to firmly counter all designs against its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity; and demands that -
Pakistan must vacate the areas of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, which they have occupied through aggression; and resolves that –
all attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of India will be met resolutely.”
The country, the Government as well as the world would do well to keep the above resolution in mind.
L.K. Advani
New Delhi
February 08, 2010
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February 8th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I am a great admirer of the original BJP ideology and my family always supported right wing politics. We never voted for Congress or Communists as we thought they are taking India to dogs. The closest ever Congress came near to Right politics was during the great P V Narasimha Rao’s regime. I am sure that even BJP must be admiring his politics. Now coming to division of AP I strongly feel that BJPis messing up by listening to your local cadre, which is dominated by Telangana leaders. You must remember that AP is key to forming government in centre either for Congress or BJP. What happened in 1999 and 2004?
Whoever conquered AP could only form central government. Therefore, I urge BJP not to mess up with a strategic state like AP. United AP is good for all and Telangana is not viable for anyone for the following reasons:
1. As RSS rightly pointed out Telangana will go to dogs in the hands of Maoists.
2. Telangana has substantial minority population and appeasement politics will take l
February 8th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I hope wiser sense prevails in BJP and it will not play the role of Jinnah for dividing the united Andhra Pradesh, which is in the interest of this great nation. PUT COUNTRY BEFORE THE PARTY. Otherwise, remember that in 1999, Andhra Pradesh played a key role in forming a BJP government at the centre.
I wrote several mails on the need to keep AP united but that seems to be falling on deaf ears of the BJP leadership. We are being treated as aliens in Hyderabad ala Kashmiri pandits in J&K. Why BJP is supporting all these. Just for the sake of a few votes in Telangana?
February 9th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Hello Mr Advani Ji.
I was surprised by the way things have turned out last week, I don’ t think there was a need to offer talks from our side rather we could have mounted international pressure to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 to justice. Do you think the present government is not doing enough on this front and what would you have done if you had been in power ?
Many of the young indians like me do feel we should resolve all the issues with our troublesome neighbor and focus on building our country and making it a super power. What do you think India should do at the moment to resolve the issues and guarantee security to all our citizens.?
-Madhav Reddy
New York
February 9th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Thanks for brining your point of view. I really believe the UPA government has no sense of respect for themselves and to the INDIA. They are getting kicked out on each and every stage. The outcome of the conference in London is one example . Pakistan has all reason to smile on us because not only they have turned the pressure on Indian Diplomat to talk, they have also convinced the world the presence of India in Afghanistan is not justified.
A big blow to our foreign policy because it seems we are not victims rather we are the perpetuators of terrorism. Would like to see your stand on this.
Thanks and take good care of your health.
Someshwar
February 9th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Advaniji,
I am surprised that you have made the US scapegoat rather than the cowardly, cavalier, irresponsible attitude of Manmohan Singh & co.; his so called govt. in going for talks with Pak. In a sense you have absolved him of this cowardly decision by blaming it on US.
There is nothing more to say.
Regards
February 9th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Advani ji’s write up raises a eminent Question again — What has changed in India Pakistan Relations towards betterment since December 2008 that makes Govt. of India consider restarting Foreign Secretary Level Talks.
India has been reeling under influence since the Man Mohan Singh’s Economic Policies took over India since 1991 and today 6 years after his Premiership Nation Finds Its Foreign Policy & Internal Policy too guided by the U.S. Factor.
B.J.P. should constitute a shadow cabinet to keep a tab on growing U.S. influence on Indian affairs and to inform the nation about it.
The ever changing stand towards Pakistan of U.P.A. Govt. are there for all to see and Advani ji has most appropriately raised it now. Ever since India opened up ties with Pakistan in mid 1980’s, it has been said that people to people contact would make the Pakistan govt. realize the importance of good relations with India. 25 years later where are we ? On 16th Aug. 1947 they wanted Kashmir by sending Army Today they send Terror Squads.
Definitely the influence of United States is there and India must come out of it because U.S. can never favor India because a weak Pakistan always is a better ally for U.S. If you recollect, recently Barrack Obama said U.S. fears Economic Progress of China & India. Foreign Policy of U.S. is always guided by economic considerations.
Today Pakistan is allowing use of its territory to reign a war against Osama & Taliban despite calling itself a Islamic Nation, Tomorrow they may allow U.S. to use their territory to terrorize China & India.
PRAVEEN SHANKAR KAPOOR
Delhi. 9873336731
February 9th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Whats difference does it make whether India decided to talk to Pakistan because of US pressure or not. Fact is Kashmir is an Indian issue. For the last 60 years all governments including the BJP have been unsuccessful at resolving the issue and if through US help we are able to solve the issue, it’s only in our best interest. If we need a solution to Kashmir then firstly, political parties in India should stop trying to derive political mileage out of the Kashmir issue (stop pointing fingers and stop trying to score brownie points by pointing out details that Indians don’t care about). And secondly both India and Pakistan need to realize that Kashmir belongs to the people of Kashmir first and then to any country and, if there is ever to be a lasting solution to Kashmir then it will have to be the people of Kashmir who decide and both India and Pakistan should be willing to accept whatever be their decision.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Having admired you over the years, it pauses me for a minute to say to you that the present BJP cuts a sorry figure! Where is the party headed to? Where is the basic ideology with which the BJP and BJS started off with? In the doledrums I shall guess! I say this sir and mark my words, “To be acceptable to the parasites who comprise the media, we left our Ideals losing not only power but leaving the country’s future to some blacksheeps”.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
whenever a part of india is attacked by terrorists, the first thing we do is to stop talking to Pak and stop playing cricket. This continues till we forget the attack and some time passes on. And then again we slowly start resuming things one by one, till anothet attack, and then the whole process restarts. Pak never has and will never will be serious about terror camps in its soil especially with reference to India. It might take on Taliban under US pressure, but not for india. US too has got limited interests and benifits. It defnitely loves to play in Indo-pak fire and continues to keep the fire burning to suit its own interests.
Why is the Indian govt so spineless and inconsistent ? Why cant we have a clear cut policy and stick to it. It’s time we had some consistency.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I support Ram’s view with regards to AP. The party is doing a grave mistake in blindly supporting Telangana agitation. Besides all other things, it is risking its survival in the Andhra-Rayalsima areas, while its chances of recovery in Telangana region are and will be bleak despite such consistent stand. We are and will be losers everywhere.There are many other important reasons not to support telangana and I have written some of them in my posts in your forum. Sir, I hope u go through those things once again. I urge you to initiate a debate in the party forum/website on the issue of smaller states and have a fresh re-look at it.