S P E C I A L    E D I T O R I A L

Message in India's diplomatic offensive
Hari Jaisingh

In sheer desperation, India has at last become diplomatically proactive in response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism which reached its outrageous climax on December 13 with the dastardly attack on the heart of Indian democracy — Parliament. The recall of the High Commissioner in Islamabad and the termination of the Delhi-Lahore bus service as well as the Samjhauta Express are meant to give a clear message to Pakistan, the USA and the rest of the world that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's government means business and that it cannot be taken for granted. The present government has not been known for its hawkish approach to Indo-Pakistan relations. In fact, Mr Vajpayee has been very soft in his approach and has often bent over backwards to involve Pakistani leaders on the path of peace and reconciliation. He took a number of positive steps despite grave provocations from across the border. He undertook the famous bus yatra to Lahore and carried the message of friendship, but in return he was stabbed in the back with the Pakistan military's misadventure in Kargil.

General Pervez Musharraf has since then made matters worse. He has been playing petty games. That the General's smile hides a terrorist within was very much clear at the aborted Agra summit. He keeps changing his postures and tactics for his survival. Towards the end of his term President Bill Clinton had sized him up correctly. President George W. Bush too probably understands who is who and what is what in Islamabad. But his compulsions leave him with no choice but to carry the dictator along to fight the Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after the shocking wake-up call of September 11.

President Bush's tight rope walk between India and Pakistan is understandable. His response to Indian pleas on terrorism is slow and half-hearted. Significantly, he has at least taken half a step forward in responding to the Indian case. How India has suffered for the past 15 years at the hands of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfits is known to every Indian. It is a different matter that the western world is taking note of this only now. We expect President Bush and other world leaders to be more responsive to Indian woes than they have been so far. At stake is not only the survival of the world's largest democracy but also the civilised global order.

The USA and other western powers need to appreciate the toughening Indian postures in the right spirit and not selectively. Prime Minister Vajpayee and the people of India believe in friendly ties with Pakistan and its people. This is the passion with all enlightened sections on this side of the border. Peace, however, cannot be achieved with mischievous tactics. Islamabad cannot talk of peace and at the same time export terrorism to Kashmir and beyond. India has the world's second largest number of Muslims after Indonesia. The military regime in Islamabad has been playing with India's secular sensitivities through terrorism. These dangerous games have to be stopped if the Pakistani dictator intends to establish peace and harmony with this nation. He has been, however, shedding crocodile tears. It is time General Musharraf came clean and proved his credentials. We hope President Bush will understand Indian sensitivities and come out of his goody-goody approach which can hardly serve America's long-term interests in the subcontinent and elsewhere.