Pak’s collusion with China poses a threat to India, say experts

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

“Political parties in Pakistan are being increasingly marginalised, which in turn is opening up space for radical elements and terror groups. Consequently, Pakistan, which goes to the general elections later this year, is entering a phase of tremendous uncertainty.”

This was stated by Dr Arvind Gupta, former Deputy National Security Adviser and, at present, director of the Vivekananda International Foundation. He was delivering the inaugural address at a seminar on “Emerging Geostrategic Manifestations in Pakistan – Implications for India” at Panjab University, here today.

“Pakistan’s continuous agenda to destabilise India and its growing collusion with China pose a serious threat to India,” he said. 

Pointing out that the Pakistani military was being modernised, Gupta said Pakistani society was getting increasingly radicalised and it faced the risk of running out of control. He said a deeper study of the Pakistani economy and societal paradigms and greater understanding of the Pakistani mindset was required.

Gupta said official bilateral talks were not the only way to effectively engage Pakistan and India should adopt a strategic approach that was guided by national interests and not by emotions, build up its economic and military strength and also improve its counter terror capabilities.

He added that while India must appreciate its own strengths and exploit the considerable leverages that it wields, Gupta cautioned that India could not afford to close any of the options available to it for dealing with Pakistan. He added that India must build bridges with other countries to meet its objectives.

In his keynote address, Lt Gen MM Naravane, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, said even as Pakistan remained engaged on its western frontier, it refused to give up its so-called strategic assets against India, thereby propagating the narrative of good and bad terrorists.

Stating that relations between the Pakistani military and the civilian establishment were at a low ebb, with the military dabbling in all branches of the government, he added that the socio-economic situation in that country was also bad.

Pointing out that ceasefire violations had gone up, Lt Gen Naravane said, “Peace on the border cannot be brought about by tactical means alone and it requires statesmanship rather than brinkmanship.” Pakistan would continue to remain central to Indian foreign and military policy and a responsible approach was required to deal with it, he said.

Former governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry, Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd) said opening up any front with Pakistan would involve Chinese interests and India would have to be cautious in whatever it does. China, he added, had been building up its economic and military capability over the past two decades and it had now started flexing its muscles.