UPA’s shabby approach to Indo-Pak talks : A self-inflicted insult
When in July 2001, General Musharraf returned from the Agra summit he was very angry with the Indian Government for having invited him and sent him back empty-handed, without even a joint statement containing some goody goody observations about Indo-Pak amity.
In his initial reaction all his vitriol seemed concentrated on me. Later, however, in his memoir, In The Line of Fire, he did not spare even Shri Vajpayee. His acerbic comment was:
“There is the man and there is the moment. When man and moment meet, history is made. Vajpayee failed to grasp the moment, and lost his moment in history”
Taking due note of his remarks, Prime Minister Shri Vajpayee reacted, and put the record straight thus:
“General Musharraf’s reported comment on the failure of our talks at Agra have surprised me. Every one in our government was acutely alive to the fact that there could be no normalcy in Indo-Pak relations until cross border terrorism, which had cost thousands of innocent lives, ended. But during our talks General Musharraf took a stand that the violence that was taking place in Jammu and Kashmir could not be described as ‘terrorism’. He continued to claim that the bloodshed in the state was nothing but the people’s battle for freedom. It was this stand of General Musharraf that India just could not accept. And this was responsible for the failure of the Agra Summit.”
Indeed, my own opinion is that it was Shri Vajpayee’s uncompromising stand at Agra in respect of cross border terrorism that fetched him later his historical triumph, when in January 2004, after the SAARC conference General Musharraf made a joint statement with Shri Vajpayee at Islamabad taking a position on terrorism absolutely different from the one he took at Agra, and assuring Vajpayee that he would not permit Pakistan or any territory in Pakistan’s control to be used to support terrorism in any manner.
A seeming failure to secure a breakthrough at Agra became converted into a remarkable success at Islamabad, thanks essentially to firmness.
Firmness evoked respect then while India’s irresolute attitude this time only invited insults.
Our Foreign Secretary called the recently concluded meeting “constructive” but her Pakistani counterpart ridiculed the meeting and said his country did not believe in “cosmetic engagement” and did not want India to “lecture” them by demanding that Pakistan should “do this or that”.
Last week, in a resolution at Indore on “National Security and Jammu and Kashmir“, the National Council of the BJP said:
“A ‘dialogue without terror’ was NDA policy; for the UPA , however, ‘dialogue and terror‘ can coexist. We hold that when terror stalks India, having no dialogue is a legitimate diplomatic option.”
In his statement to Parliament after the Foreign Secretary level talks, External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna described the meeting as “constructive and useful” but the only concrete outcome that seemed to emerge from the 500-words statement was the Foreign Secretaries “agreement to stay in touch”.
Indeed, let anyone interpret in plain language what this concluding paragraph of the Minister’s statement means:
“India’s engagement with Pakistan will be predicated, as it has been since the Mumbai terrorist attack, on the response of Pakistan to our core concerns on terrorism. However, we do not dilute our position, or our resolve to defeat terrorism as our Prime Minister has said, by talking to any country. Communication and engagement represent the best way forward.” (emphasis added)
Is dialogue linked with Pakistan’s abandoning its terrorism, or have the two been de-linked as was clearly said by our P.M. at Sharm-el-Sheikh ? In that statement, at least, there was clarity; in this latest one, there is nothing but contradictons and obfuscation.
As I have said earlier, Government of India’s U-turn on the issue of dialogue with Pakistan seems to be the upshot of Washington’s ‘nudge’.
The Obama administration has lately confirmed our observation officially. P.J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs said: “The Obama Administration have long encouraged the restoration of dialogue between the two countries. It is an important step for Pakistan and India, and we commend the political leadership in both countries.”
* * * *
On February 2, 2010, Dennis C. Blair, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, gave a 46-page intelligence report to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in which he has affirmed that Pakistan’s cooperation with U.S. anti-terrorist operations is limited to action against outfits Islamabad thinks are against Pakistan. Blair says :
“Islamabad has demonstrated determination and persistence in combating militants it perceives dangerous to Pakistan’s interests. However, it still judges it does not need to confront groups that do not threaten it directly, and maintains historical support to the Taliban.”
Dennis Blair adds:
“Islamabad’s conviction that militant groups are an important part of its strategic arsenal to counter India’s military and economic advantages will continue to limit Pakistan’s incentive to pursue an across-the-board effort against extremism.”
This report only makes it evident that if the international community is earnest about defeating terrorism, Pakistan must be forced not just to dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, but also renounce the use of terrorist outfits against India and formally ban these outfits, a step implicit in Gen. Musharraf’s 2004 public statement.
L.K. Advani
New Delhi
March 01, 2010
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March 1st, 2010 at 11:06 pm
When a large country like India is governed, small slips do happen here and there. But in the present UPA set up, we notice Blunders happening very frequently, especially on foreign policy. Sharm-al- Sheikh fiasco for reference to happenings in Baluchistan, India’s buckling to US pressure to engage with Pakistan despite any progress on ground, Shahsi Tharoor’s statement of rating Saudi Arab an effective Interlocutor are few instances.
Vajpayeeji had clearly visualised that peace in Kashmir through dialogue with separatists has always to precede any dialogue with Pakistan and an effective combination with Mufti Sayeed CM-J&K did yield results. Now with Musharaf gone, nobody is today in Pakistan to hold the executive, ISI and Army of that country in command. Kashmiri separatists have hardened their stand. India needs a strong policy on Kashmir.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 am
I would disagree with BJP’s philosophy mostly as a human-being, first and foremost.
Why dont you talk about Bal Thackerey’s statements in context to Pakistan ? He is doing the same as most of Pakistani regional / religious leaders are doing in Pakistan. Actually, we are not ready to introspect our faults. We just keep on blaming each other. In fact, persisting with the problem to prolong is the dirty game of politicians for the centuries. Dialog is the only solution to all the problems of humanity .
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Bal Thakerey is only making political statements. He and sena do not sponser terrorism and terrorists to go across the border into Pakistan and create mischief and mayhem.
On the other hand Pakistan does exactly that. I personally do not endorse Bal Thakerey and Shiv sena but can not compare him with Mullahs in Pakistan.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Sir, I find your blog to be hypocritical. Terrorist attacks including one on Parliament happened during NDA regime too. Its track record in tackling terrorism was no better than UPA. You say your government extracted promise out of Mushharaf. But does that mean that terrorist attacks on india have stopped ? You extracted promise after every terrorist attack. But result ? Nobody sees Agra as a victory for India. It can, at best, be remembred for the statesmanship of Vajyapee and nothing else
People of your stature should offer constructive solutions to issues instead of indulging rhetoric. I hope you offer at this age wisdom to Indian polity and not indulge in opposition for sake of opposition.
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 am
Sir,
First of all I would thank you for frequently updating your blog with your valuable thoughts. This is what we have been looking forward from you since General Elections were over, and now your thoughts through this blog give a ray of hope to all citizen of this country who believe in true nationalism. Sir, a leader of your stature can only hold us united and keep us vigilant as we’re passing through very difficult period as there is chaos and unrest everywhere.
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 am
Forgive the retard that sent the last comment comparing bal thackeray to pakistani terrorist. After all, Terrorists kill people with guns, bombs and bullets which is not the case with Bal Thackeray or any other Hindu so far. This phenomenon of comparing Islamic terrorism with any Hindu party is a direct result of the Hindu hate campaign by the media today. MF Hussain gets to be a hero for painting our goddess nude while taslima is a witch to be hunted for calling the burqa optional. Crazy. Pakistan gets a handshake from India even when they kill our people.
A strong lack of intellectual capital among the mass today is fuelling this hatred for hinduism among hindus themselves. In some time, Our self hate will be so much as to ban pictures and idols of our Gods because by their precence they would spoil the “secular” climate of our culture but hanging the a cross or a quran for that matter would still be fashionable among hindus as well.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 am
While I think you are tougher than congress you dont seem to be tough enough to deal with Pakistan. Your opinion that international opinion would prevent Pak from using terror is not credible …The world doesn’t care about Indian security and even if it does it’s not willing to do more than lipservice. International sympathy means nothing both for India as well as Pak .. We should ruthlessly pursue our national interests without caring about international opinion ..I wish you had done more to strengthen the RAW and given a free hand to be able to launch a subvertive campaign, pursue hot targets the way Israel does ….
Israel the role model Sir, Israel is the role model ….No reconciliation until terror is stopped.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:08 am
Congress continues to do blunders on foreign policy. The recent one was to bring saudis in as “interlocutor”. These are monumental mistakes. Domestic governance is no different. UPA thinks they can get away with anything. Precious time is being lost on petty issues. And india still continues to be looked upon as a soft state, due to government’s inability to address real problems.
Electronic media has to do a due diligence while accessing the BJP as compared with others. We badly need opposition party like yours. Unfortunately the national mood is more driven by the electronic media, which is mainly run on the basis of saleability, instead of national interest. It will also change once their TRPs start going down.
Dear Sir, we salute your committment. Nation needs your guidance. THERE WILL BE SURELY THE TIME WHEN PEOPLE REALIZE THAT NATIONAL INTEREST IS PARAMOUNT. You continue to be the major inspiration for the optimists. Please keep blogging.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Every one knows about congress. They wont take any strict actions. If they take due to any unavoidable circumstances, mostly it ll be wrong. They are fpllowing this policy perfectly from the period of Nehru.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Sir,
Your observations are apt. But not just the government, the people of this country have also become non-chalant. No one cares for the dignity and respect of the nation. It does not concern us personally. We have become too selfish to really care !
Nationalism is on wane. Crass-commercialistion and apathy towards nationhood has replaced the ethos of republic and our pride in it. ‘I, me, myself’ is all that matters now. Patriotism is found only in dictionaries now and it’s practice is limited to only two days - 15th August and 26th January, provided these two do not fall near a weekend and turn into an extended holiday for the consuming classes !
March 6th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Sir,
As promised to Malaysian Tamils during there recent visit to Pravasia Bhartiya Devas that BJP will take up their issue in the coming session of Lok Shabha. The Parliament is now in sessio, but so far we have not heard that BJP has spoken about HINDRAF.
This is just an remainder. Hope you will ask Sushma ji to speak for these people. Here is link and the last para where Mr. Modi promised to HINDRAF to take up their cause.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/230183/Malaysia-strips-Hindus-of-rights.html
Hope we will see in news channels, a complete debate where BJP takes on UPA on this issue. Just push Dravidian parties aside on this issue. They spoke for LTTE, but for Hindus they don’t have time to speak why?
Moreover Sir, write an article about HINDRAF and so far why not a single human rights group has condemned Malaysia Govt action. Hope sir you will take up this issue and its right time. I expect to see and read article from you on your blog as media will follow your blogs, and that way, at least, plight of Malaysian Tamils can be heard of.
March 6th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Friend Srini,
You wrote of Parliament attack so let me remind you that under POTA, Afzal Gurur would have been hanged within 1 year of time span. SO you cant compare BJP which had policy to tackle terror with congress which so far not have any policy to tackle terror.
So Srini, your hypothesis cannot be purchased by anyone.
March 6th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Sir,
Each and every political party is looking for minority vote,e.g, Muslims and Christians. But the fact is that their population is nearly 25-30% of our total population or may be more. So how can they be termed as minorities, is my question?
The really minority groups in our country are, as per my knowledge, Jews, Parsis and your own community Sindhis. But so far, I have not seen any political party speaking for these communities. Even I have not seen you speaking for Sindhis.
Moreover, these groups also have not asked for any quota for themselves like Muslims and Christians. All the 3 communities have very well established business lobbies and their contribution has been valuable to this nation’s growth.
Sir, please write some article comparing these 3 communities with Muslims and Christians and their differences in ideologies on your blog. Why ? Because media is following your blog, so more and more people will come to know what is your opinion on this issue.
Please take on the media and congress. We are with you.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I think UPA stands for United Pathetic Alliance.
The pathetic performance on Internal and External fronts alongw with the price rise, has hit the final nail in the coffin of Aam Admi.
The Deputy minister of External affairs thinks he is still in the UNO, thats why he suggests third party intervention and always shows his disagreements through his endless tweets.
Think this is what they mean by the saying “Congress ka Haath Aam Aadmi ke Saath”.
Jay Ho