Posted on 12/02/2008 3:04:23 PM PST by maquiladora
The Manmohan Singh government is weighing various options including a strike on Pakistan to dismantle its terror bases in response to the recent Mumbai terror attack. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today hinted about military option when he told a news channel, “As and when it takes place, people will come to know, it’s not publicised. Every sovereign country has the right to protect its territorial integrity and take appropriate action and when it feels necessary to take that appropriate action.”
“What will be done, time will show and you will come to know,” Mukherjee earlier told reporters on the sidelines of a conference today.
Singh convened a Cabinet committee meeting on security today to discuss the issue. Last week, he met the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs to take stock of the current situation and take their inputs to decide the nature of India’s response to the alleged Pakistan-sponsored terror strike in Mumbai.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is coming to New Delhi on Wednesday and top government sources suggest the issue of attacking Pakistan will be discussed with her. The US has resorted to unilateral hot pursuit for Taliban terrorists hiding inside Pakistan near its border with Afghanistan.
As a strike on Pakistan will invariably lead to a full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed countries, India is maintaining a cautious approach and wants to gauge every possible ramification of its decision.
“An assessment of the pros and cons of an attack on the terror bases in Pakistan is currently underway. The final decision will be taken only on the considerations of national interest,” said a top government official.
The Manmohan Singh government is also talking to various governments across the world for a UN resolution allowing a coalition force of affected countries to destroy terrorist camps in Pakistan.
While the government is keeping in mind the impact of a war on the country’s economic health during the time of the global slowdown, the biggest concern for India is the response of the US. Although US President-elect Barack Obama has said that India has the “sovereign right to go after terrorists” to protect itself, India wants the support of the current George Bush regime, which will continue till February, for an attack on Pakistan.
The visit of Rice is expected to provide important directions on this issue.
In 2002, India could not attack Pakistan despite deploying its troop on the border because of US interference. Then US president Bill Clinton didn’t support India’s move as Pakistan was supporting US’ war against terrorists in Afghanistan and the US feared that India’s attack would stop Pak’s help in Afghanistan.
The Bush government has also decided to send senior military and intelligence officials to Islamabad to force the Zardari government dismantle the terror hubs supported by the ISI.
India’s Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has been sent to the US to brief US officials about recent terror attacks in India including the Mumbai episode.
Huh?
This is stupid. Why would they announce it beforehand ?
I think India has taken enough hits and need to deliver a few blows back.
A joint operation would do wonders to instill some vigor in the WoT.
It’s no big secret what lives&crawls in the NWFP / FATA region.
Even the Paki gubamint knows that it harbors the worst of the worst, call them AQ, call them Taliban.. whatever.
I know it will likely stir up tension and conflict the Kashmir region, but..
You can lance the boils now or you can let them fester..
question ought to be..
How many of yours do you want to lose while politicians diddle?
One of those tankers flew over the house a vouple months ago. It is hugh!
Thats a mix up of the 2002 tensions and the 1999 Kargil tensions.
Why does it have to be a “strike”? It’s way past time for India to just start blowing stuff up jihadi style in Pak. Give Pakistan a little taste of their own terror tactics.
Yes, they are mulling it but won’t pull the trigger.
Like in 1998, and again in 01/02, the US will exhort India to restrain itself.
Why do you think Condi is rushing there? To give India a green light, NO!NO!NO!, to ensure India does not attack Pakistan.
Of course the Indians have shown themselves to be shrinking violets in the face of jihad for two decades now.
Personally, the Kashmiri camps need to be wiped out.
If Fakistan wants to then have a war, cry havoc.
“...Kashmiri camps...”
They are mostly Paki Poonjabbis in those camps, really.
Now let me see. The terrorists left from Karachi. That would be a good starting point and the good people of Karachi are already blowing up/shooting up Churches.
Well, no point in arguing about the ethnic makeup, but the Training Compounds/AKA Pakistani Army Military Bases are in Kashmir, untouched by even US strikes.
Before he leaves office, President Bush should join India in an attack on Pakistan. Pakistan is giving aid and comfort to terrorists who attack Americans and Indians. Wipe out the Pakistan military, take over the state and establish a democratic government like we did in Iraq.
Also, Iran should be struck to wipe out their nuclear capability before Obama (the wimp) takes office.
>>President Bush should join India in an attack on Pakistan.
India offered 20 Divisions after 911 to clean out Pakistan.
The offer was refused.
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