India and Pakistan on the brink of war

Times.UK ^ | DECEMBER 22 2001

[TopQuark]

India and Pakistan on the brink of war

FROM COOMI KAPOOR IN DELHI AND ZAHID HUSSAIN IN ISLAMABAD

INDIA and Pakistan moved closer to a state of war yesterday, as Delhi recalled its envoy from Islamabad and sealed border crossings and both sides deployed thousands of reinforcements along their frontier.

The sabre-rattling raised fears around the world that the two nuclear powers were on the brink of a new round of bloodshed, which would undermine the international coalition’s war against terror in the region.

India began the escalation when it withdrew Vijay Nambiar, its High Commissioner in Islamabad. The move is more than a symbolic diplomatic protest.

Only twice before, in 1965 and again in 1971, has Delhi recalled its envoy. On each occasion the two countries were at war shortly afterwards.

The action followed growing demands across the political spectrum in India for the Army to attack two militant Islamic groups that are based across the border in Pakistan and accused of carrying out the attack last week on the Indian Parliament that left 14 dead, including the five assailants.

India and Pakistan last clashed in 1999 in a mountain battle at Kargil in the disputed Kashmir province. Hundreds of Indian and Pakistani troops were killed.

This time the stakes are even higher. In addition to reinforcements along the Line of Control, which separates the two sides in Kashmir, tanks, artillery and infantry have also been deployed along the normally peaceful Rajasthan-Sind border.

Yesterday’s escalation began when India launched a verbal assault against its historic rival, accusing Pakistan of “sponsoring last week’s suicide attack on the Indian Parliament”. Pakistan hit back by charging the Indians with provocation and warning Delhi that it would defend itself if attacked.

The threats and counter- threats caused alarm in Washington and London, which are preoccupied with trying to complete their operations against terrorist suspects in Afghanistan and instal a new government in Kabul. To achieve that they need stability in the region and the help of President Musharraf of Pakistan.

Western sources said that they feared that the Pakistani leader was not able to control elements of his military and intelligence services, who were deliberately encouraging extremist groups in the hope of provoking a clash with India.

Western officials privately appealed to India to show restraint, but the Government in Delhi was under mounting public pressure to respond decisively.

In addition to recalling its envoy, India cut road and rail links, including the DelhiLahore bus service, which was opened only two years ago as part of a peace drive between the two neighbours.

The Indian authorities alleged that the five gunmen involved in last week’s gun and grenade attack were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, two Kashmiri rebel groups based in Pakistan.

Indian investigators claim that the conspiracy to storm Parliament House in Delhi was hatched in Pakistan and that the cellphone records of the dead assailants and the confessions of those arrested for abetting them establish Pakistan’s involvement.

On Thursday the Indian Government produced one of the accused, an Indian named Kashmiri Mohammed Afzal, before the media. He said that the suicide squad was from Pakistan and that he was the link man between them and Jaish-e-Muhammad.

The Indian Government is upset by what it considers the US’s refusal to accept the evidence of Pakistan’s role in continuing to foment terrorism in India and believes that the US is deliberately turning a blind eye because it does not want General Musharraf to be destabilised.

Pakistan has rejected India’s accusations that its intelligence service supported the attack and said that it would take no action until India supplied proof. India on Thursday rejected a US request to share its evidence with Pakistan so that General Musharraf could crack down on the militants.

Most defence observers agree that the situation in the region is the most serious since May 1999 when Pakistan’s military intrusion in Kashmir brought the two nations close to a full war. The danger was averted when Pakistan pulled out its troops from Kashmir’s Kargil mountain post under US pressure.

[Dog Gone]

I will try. But with the lunacy of Jihadi apologists like Dog Gone, it gets tough.

You didn't try very hard.

[montag813]

...Once the Palestinians are tamed, Israel will discard India and forget about it while it is embroiled in a nuclear war with China and Pakistan.

Ok...everyone relax. Since you "responded" to my post you might explain what on earth this comment has to do with what I said. First of all, I was stating that the U.S. must stand with Israel AND India, not that Israel should help India out, although that wouldn't be a bad idea.

The point is...India good, Pakistan bad. Israel good, "Palestinian Authority" bad. Muslim country with nuke bad. Hindu country with nuke...not great, but no worse than the idiot French having them either. Got it?

...I am Jewish.

And what is that supposed to prove? There are many Jews who despise Israel. Shimon Peres and Yossi Bellin for example.

[mikeIII]

"We agree completely. It sucks. Completely irrational. The end game is worse. The situation may be more of an indicator of the weakness of India's ruling coalition and perhaps its need to maintain military support (much of which is Sikh as I recall) in order to put down likely anarchy and rebellion within India's substantial Muslim minority. This is what you get with democracy. That's why the globo-facsistslove it so."

Wow! Where the hell do ya'll get your news from?

[Robert-J]

Young man, do your parents know what you are posting?

How long has it been since your father put you over his knee and given you a spanking?

[Carry_Okie]

Primarily The Economist and the UN itself. The media LOVE democracy because those in control of the mob can control the use of property without having to buy it. That's why we have a republic.

[Robert-J]

Intesting analysis. I do believe that at sometime or another, they will go to war, and will use nuclear weapons on each other. The idea of so many being killed is tragic. On the other hand, I do not see either country as a reliable ally. Pakistan is filled with islamic extremists. India is a strange, bizarre land, with irrational ideas. As I said earlier, their ridiculous doctrine of karma deprives them of a social conscience. And their treatment of the so-called "untouchables" is deplorable. Neither country is a member of the modern world. And if they want to fight, then let them.

[Angelique]

Actually,India became a Republic in the 70's, although the Constitution was just paper. There have been some challenges acknowledged by their SC, but it has been basically fruitless. I am sure Ghandi is dying again to see what has transpired.

We do not understand Asia. India used to be considered the religious captitol of the world. You are correct about the Sikhs, who are mere Protestants of Hindus, the leading religion of India. The secret lies in Pakistan, a nation of Islam. I believe here within there lies such an unholy alliance. Will it meet the test of time? Do you see how we are now entangled in more holy wars?

[Angelique]

I don't believe India should be your concern. Please face north to Pakistan and those border breaches. Pakistan is Islamic, and history will prove its true loyalty, which is not for the USA.

[Carry_Okie]

I am told that there are passages in the Vedas that indicate the writings of Isaiah as their possible origin. The Hindus are an Aryan people who took over the Indus valley in about 2,500 BC, if memory serves. If that is true, do we possibly have yet another battle among the children of Isaac and Ishmael?

[mikeIII]

"On the other hand, I do not see either country as a reliable ally. "

Huh? Pakistan has always been there whenever America wanted and was willing to pay for it! For the last 50 years!

[Angelique]

You are correct abuot the Vedas. There was an attempt by Buddhism to take over India, and that should be our history lesson.

Pakistan resembles Jerusilam, but without what we would consider religious implications. What are we doing? Pakistan is purely Islamic!

[Dog Gone]

I don't believe India should be your concern. Please face north to Pakistan and those border breaches. Pakistan is Islamic, and history will prove its true loyalty, which is not for the USA.

I agree that Pakistan poses more problems for the West than does India. Musharraf himself faces greater challenges than any Indian leader currently faces and only time will tell whether he is skilled and lucky enough to survive and chart a new course for his country.

I am under no illusions of how difficult that will be. There is a sizable portion of his population who do not wish us well and the animosity toward India will continue to be a major source of regional instability.

However, I do admire Musharraf for tackling those challenges and I certainly hope that he is successful.

I reject your contention that Pakistan will never be a good ally of America because it is Islamic. Most people here would agree that Turkey is better NATO ally to us than Greece or France, for example.

Pakistan has made many efforts over the years to become a full democracy, something never tried in most Islamic countries. It even elected a woman as President at one point. Obviously, that course was derailed by the military coup two years ago that put Musharraf in charge. But he says he is committed to holding some elections next year, and that he doesn't intend to stay in power indefinitely.

The massive street protests in Pakistan that we expected when the bombing began never materialized. Radical Islamic leaders have been arrested. Known terrorists have been arrested, and some have been turned over to us. He's done a good job of keeping the lid on things in Pakistan and under very tough circumstances.

All of that is now jeopardized by India's diplomatic and military moves. That is why my eyes are focused on India.

[SevenDaysInMay]

WWIII has started. Theo-fascism is freedom's enemy, an enemy of western civilization. Societies rejecting "modernism" and which cannot function without brutal corruption throughout their ruling class will breed millions of pathetic but dangerous "warriors". They want socialist elitists as dead as Norman Rockwell families.

A world-wide depression will create multi-regional war nearly impossible for us. A new balance of power will be costly as our children and grandchildren live and die with this war's battles in their own streets.

Foolishly socialists will bray that America must sacrifice our income and wealth to help support the world's poor. Poor stay poor because they continue to do things which keep them poor, generation after generation, for centuries.

Theo-fascism is about the self-anointed ruling this earth. The sword of Islam is at the neck of every child on earth; Islamists will kill more of our children. Pan-Islamists want this world war and they shall have it.

WWIII is a war of annihilation. Vanquish or perish.

[Dog Gone]

If you are correct, then we are going to perish. This country is never going to conduct a war with genocide as its ultimate objective.

[Angelique]

Pakistan has made many efforts over the years to become a full democracy, something never tried in most Islamic countries. It even elected a woman as President at one point. Obviously, that course was derailed by the military coup two years ago that put Musharraf in charge. But he says he is committed to holding some elections next year, and that he doesn't intend to stay in power indefinitely.

There is something of an oxymoron here when you discuss democracy in the same breath with Mussarraf. How can you determine that a military coup d'etat would align with the "rule of law?"

It is almost reminisicent of the Clinton years. If one cannot come into power legitamately, then why would this person receive praise? Pakistan is not our friend, and we better watch our backs!