Author: Editorial
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: May 25, 2001
The Government's decision to invite
General Pervez Musharraf for talks is clearly linked to the one not to
further extend its unilateral ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
which expires on May 31. The intention is obviously to convey to the world
that the calling off of the ceasefire by no means indicates the abandonment
of its search for peace in the state.
Otherwise, it makes no sense whatever.
For, even the most credulous person would find it difficult to believe
that talks with Pakistan's Chief Executive can lead to peace. Islamic fundamentalists
who call the shots in Pakistan and are increasingly dominant in its armed
forces, will not allow him to make peace with India unless it means J&K's
incorporation into Pakistan. And he will be unceremoniously thrown out
of office if he tries to defy them.
But while the logic behind the move
to invite Musharraf is engaging after a fashion, it is far from convincing.
First, the premise that India has to prove to the world its continued commitment
to its search for peace with Pakistan, is unacceptable. The world, particularly
the United States to which the message seems to be specifically addressed,
knows enough about what is going on in Kashmir as well as Pakistan to have
misgivings about the move not to further extend the ceasefire. If anything,
the decision to invite Pakistan's Chief Executive has rather embarrassing
implications for India. It means a total reversal of its stand that there
would be no talks with Pakistan until the latter called off its proxy war
against this country waged through cross-border terrorism. The question
will now arise as to whether India was sincere in citing the moral principle
of not holding talks under duress, to justify its stand. For, the proxy
war has not only not ended, its continuance is the main justification for
not extending the ceasefire! Also questioned will be this country's commitment
to upholding democracy in the world and opposing dictatorial takeovers.
For, its invitation to the General tends not only to legitimise his regime
but also the coup of October 12, 1999, that brought it into existence and
led to Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth. Other countries of
the Commonwealth like Nigeria and Bangladesh, which took a strong stand
against Pakistan on the issue, can hardly be blamed for thinking that India's
strident rhetoric on the issue in various Commonwealth fora reflected nothing
more that a desire to score a point over a traditional enemy.
The Government, however, has done
well to call off its unilateral ceasefire in J&K, which was anyway
a non-starter right from the beginning. Far from honouring it, Pakistan-sponsored
terrorists, hard-pressed at the time of its promulgation by the security
forces following a proactive approach, used it to regroup and consolidate
their positions. Simultaneously, they regained the edge they had lost by
launching suicide attacks on the security forces and their establishments.
With summer opening up the snowbound passes through the higher mountain
ranges, and thousands of trained terrorists waiting to cross over, the
situation would have become very grave for India had the ceasefire continued.
As it is, the security forces have a tough time ahead.
