PAF shot down two Indian
aircraft inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K
while the other fell inside IoK (Indian occupied Kashmir). Pakistan's
response is actually not a retaliation. It was the demonstration of our
capability, capacity and will. We never want to escalate the situation. We
even offered their claims to investigate about the Pulwama attack. In result
of engagement with the target there was no human loss afflicted as we stayed
in our jurisdiction.
The India part of the trip was also hardly a win for New Delhi. MBS’s visit
to India, which came nearly three years after Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia
when leaders from both countries took a decision to diversify and expand
their relationship to include trade, investment and counterterrorism, came
under greater scrutiny this time around. For instance, at a more symbolic
level, Modi has come under sharp criticism domestically for breaking with
protocol and doing his usual bear hug with the Saudi Crown Prince. On a more
substantive note, there has also been criticism that Modi did not use the
occasion to extract some strong commitment from Saudi Arabia on Pakistan and
terrorism. Though he had said that there will be strong reference to
countering terrorism, the fact that MBS did not mention Pulwama is seen in
India as a big failure.
India always prefers to play a typical blame game over every terror incident
in the country. It just points the finger at Pakistan in rather a mechanical
fashion for every major terror attack on its soil. Pakistan has recently
extended an olive branch to India in the form of Kartarpur Corridor to
facilitate Indian Sikh pilgrims in the country. But regrettably, Pakistan’s
peace overture has not yet been reciprocated by India. The Kashmir issue has
been the bone of contention between the two South-Asian neighbors. It has
been the prime reason for hostilities between India and Pakistan. There
exists a UN resolution demanding for a plebiscite in Kashmir, for seeking
the will of Kashmiri people to weather join Pakistan or Kashmir. India,
however, refuses to implement the UN resolution in their true letter and
spirit. Pakistan has been asking India for a dialogue on a peaceful
settlement of Kashmir Issue, but India has not only turned down Pakistan’s
offers but has kept its heavy-handedness in suppressing the people of
Kashmir.The Pulwama attack is purely a domestic issue and blaming Pakistan
is just a way for diverting attention from the Indian Army’s atrocities in
Kashmir, its incompetence and the BJPs failures. BJP is facing an election
defeat visibly and the upcoming elections could most likely mean an end to
Modi’s political career. Foreseeing his future, he is using the one card
which plays in India well “Pakistan Bashing”. Precious lives have been lost
but the BJP and Modi have seen a focus shift from the electorate counting
Modi’s weaknesses. No F-16 aircraft was part of any activity which took
place near the LoC on Wednesday, he said. DG ISPR said the PAF also
undertook six air to surface strikes in BhimbarGali, Narian and KG Peak
areas of the IHK from airspace of AJK. Pakistan was left with no option but
to respond to Indian aircrafts violation of LoC, but it was kept in view
that response is given by a responsible state, he said.He informed media
persons that the PAF aircraft on Wednesday from their position in the AJK
airspace locked six targets across the LoC in the IHK including
administrative setup, military posts and supply depot, but undertook strikes
in open places close to six targets just to avoid collateral damage and loss
of human lives. He said the PAF demonstrated capability of hitting any
target of their choice. t was not retaliation in true sense, but it was
demonstration of capability of self-defense and the will to retaliate
without escalating the situation. He said it was decided that no military
target would be hit and there should also be no collateral damage or loss of
human lives while engaging six targets. A senior BJP leader said requesting
anonymity while responding to the joint statement. The criticism by the
opposition parties at this juncture is significant as internal security and
terrorism become key political issues ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha
elections. Peace and stability in South Asia is a combined responsibility
and that such irresponsible remarks are a direct threat to stability.
We do need to give an atmosphere of security and amity to all our
citizens.The way the BJP is ruling the country, misusing the institutions,
bulldozing them — it is in the national interest for the opposition parties
to unite and challenge the BJP. The way to counter the ensuing
misconceptions, hatred and stereotyping is to get the people in touch with
each other in a manner unfettered and unfiltered by media biases. vested
interests within the powers that be on either side of the border keep
flaring up tensions and selling conflict to the populations of their
respective countries for selfish gains. The governments and media need to be
honest with the people and tell them how things really stand right now.
The rhetoric needs toning down and the two should establish a narrative of
mutual respect, along with easing up treaties and policies towards one
another. Pakistan to this day remains the most constant hindrance to total
Indian hegemony in the Subcontinent. That is why most of India’s attention
is diverted towards Pakistan and it is now expending its energies in
containing and subjugating Pakistan. India, which vows to be a superpower,
needs to have its eyes on relations with neighbors and abandon the
recklessness and arrogance as the world is undergoing earthshaking changes.
BJP appears to be playing the role of a hegemonic power. Like the Congress
before it, the BJP’s present position has a system-defining quality. Both
state and national elections are regularly fought in reaction to the BJP.BJP
has not been universally successful in expanding its footprint. India’s
eastern seaboard (stretching from West Bengal in the north to Tamil Nadu in
the south) remains relatively immune to the BJP’s charms (see figure 9). The
party has placed significant emphasis on making fresh inroads in precisely
these states in the coming election.
India is a huge market for Western consumer and military goods and services.
At the same time, it has strategic significance for the US in its policy of
containing China. This has created a sympathetic environment for India in
the West. It has also created a sense of arrogance and pride in India.