NEWS ANALYSIS: 50 years since...

By Kartik Lokhande 

2015 is an important year. For, this is the 50th year since 1965 war between India and Pakistan following the latter’s misadventure. For, it is just short of 50 years since ‘Tashkent Declaration’ signed between the then Prime Minister of India and the then President of Pakistan in Tashkent. For, the year 2015 also witnesses one more instance of India willing to talk to her neighbouring State but the latter insisting on involving non-State actors, a characteristic feature of Pakistan since 1965. 

In the year 1965, Pakistan hatched a plan for another misadventure in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir with an intention to ‘finish the unfinished business of Partition’. Pakistan banked on theory devised by some of her over-enthusiastic and radical military and diplomatic elements that people of Kashmir would side by Pakistan Army. However, under the tough leadership of the then Prime Minister Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri, India gave Pakistan a bloody nose as she opened up other fronts. The war ended, another attempt of Pakistan was foiled, and India had regained its confidence in military matters after debacle in Sino-Indian war of 1962. The war culminated into certain agreements between India and Pakistan. 

The ‘Tashkent Declaration’ was signed in January 1966 between the then Prime Minister of India Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri and the then President of Pakistan Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan. Both had agreed that relations between both the countries ‘shall be based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.’ 

And, since then, Pakistan has been exhibiting her resolve to scuttle all efforts of India for peaceful relations. Fifty years since the 1965 war, Pakistan has been trying unsuccessfully to interfere into the internal affairs of India as far as the turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned. Every time, her designs got defeated. Obsessed with hatred for India, Pakistan harboured terrorists and radicals gained upper hand in establishment. When the world woke up to the global spread of terrorism, Pakistan continued with her anti-India rhetoric. Obviously, Pakistan started getting isolated and her influence kept on waning. And, in given conditions, she has become dependent on select few allies like China. 

In sharp contradiction, drawing right lessons from 1965 war and geo-political realities, India not only spoke but also exhibited willingness to maintain peaceful relations with neighbours despite skirmishes along the borders. When India was dragged into it, she stood firmly with Mukti Bahini in the 1971 war with Pakistan for liberation of Bangladesh. She countered Pakistan pretty well along the border in 1999 Kargil war also. May it be Defence modernisation, or strengthening of economy, or increasing global influence, India charted a determined course since 1965. As a result, in contradiction to Pakistan, she earned more friends. With a decisive leadership at the Centre, India is now entering into an era of becoming a super-power while achieving self-reliance in several significant areas. 

Internal turbulence, years of military establishment dominating democracy, radicalisation of youths, poisoning of peoples minds with vicious anti-India propaganda, neglect of economy etc aggravated the problems for Pakistan. However, a series of Pakistani leaders -- military or political -- fed their people with hatred for India. Every time, there appeared to be improvement in the relations between India and Pakistan, Pakistani establishment of the day sent militants into Kashmir to create trouble for India. Despite ceasefire agreements time and again and some goodwill measures, it is Pakistan that should take the blame for violations on a number of occasions. As per the latest estimates, so far this year, there have been 192 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control. 

When Pakistan’s attempts were foiled repeatedly, the unstable neighbour started crying hoarse for involvement of ‘third party’ -- separatist leaders of Kashmir -- into India-Pakistan talks. The latest insistence of Pakistan to meet Hurriyat leaders before talks with India following Ufa summit, thus, comes as no surprise. It has become characteristic feature of Pakistan to shy away from talking on terrorism, insisting on ‘consulting’ separatists in Kashmir, and scuttling peace process. Isn’t Pakistan’s insistence on inviting separatist leaders from Kashmir an ‘interference’ in the internal affairs of India? Thus, by inviting these leaders, isn’t she committing a violation of ‘Tashkent Declaration’? 

One can understand why Pakistan has been shying away from discussing terrorism. For, Pakistan has been giving shelter to criminals and terrorists ‘wanted’ in India. Here, too, India has been successful in exposing Pakistan. On June 30 this year, India scored over Pakistan by bringing the latter under Asia Pacific Group’s monitoring to enforce United Nations sanctions against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, terrorist Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. India is ready with dossiers and enough evidences of Pakistan providing shelter to these and other terrorists. And, hence, Pakistan does not want to face India in talks with terrorism forming the core agenda. 

And, this is the story of 50 years since 1965. The past 50 years have shaped both the countries in such a manner that India has risen in positive global influence and Pakistan has earned negative impressions. For, positive or negative outcome of a journey in time depends solely on drawing right or wrong lessons, isn’t it? 

(23-08-15)