Pakistan has often been ruled by generals and it is no secret that our armed forces wield considerable influence over civilian administrations as well.
Nowhere is the military’s say greater than in the sphere of foreign policy vis-à-vis hostile neighbours or ostensible allies that sometimes try to dictate terms to Islamabad. But India’s history is different, and it has made much over the years of its democratic credentials and a system under which the armed forces are wholly answerable to the government of the day. So how then are we to interpret a recent statement by the Indian army chief that his country can take on both Pakistan and China simultaneously? He even suggested that a “limited war under a nuclear overhang” is possible in South Asia. Is this Gen Kapoor’s personal opinion or is he articulating government policy? What precisely is the nature of this new “offensive” nuclear doctrine and why is it needed in the first place? And could it be that Indian generals, as opposed to elected politicians, are now calling the shots where regional policy is concerned?
Islamabad’s rejoinders have been stern, and perhaps never more so than on Saturday when CJCSC Gen Tariq Majeed warned against “outlandish ... strategic postulations”, adding that Gen Kapoor “knows very well what the ... Pakistani armed forces can pull off”. It seems that the government in India, or perhaps its military, is upping the ante for no plausible reason. Despite the hope offered by the Sharm el-Sheikh talks last July, there has been little or no movement on resuming the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India despite Islamabad’s stress on cooperation rather than animosity.
New Delhi ought to note that the Pakistan Army is engaged in an all-out assault on the militants who are our mutual enemies. Raising the temperature, hinting at war no less, serves no constructive purpose whatsoever at this critical juncture. It should be obvious that there can be no winners in a nuclear conflict between the two countries — both will be wiped out, that much is guaranteed. The time has come to put the horrors of Mumbai behind us and work collectively towards peace in South Asia.
[Edited on 21 January 2010 at 3.35am]
Comments
General Deepak Kapoor's recent comments have received a lot of press coverage in South Asia. Firstly, he articled his opinion on the capacity of India's military in fighting a conflict on two fronts. If Admiral Mike Mullen stated the U.S. military had the capacity to fight in Afghanistan and Yemen, would that be interpreted as him trying to dictate policy? Absolutely not. India's civilian control of the military remains in tact.
General Tariq Majeed's response was balderdash. He said '...Deepak Kapoor knows very well what the Indian armed forces cannot do and Pakistani armed forces can pull off militarily.' India has defeated Pakistan's army, easily, in every war they have fought and maintain a strategic advantage in all areas.
Although Zardari's insistence on cooperation is a positive, it is unclear on whether Pakistan is actually trying to eliminate Lakshar-e-taiba, or if the terrorist outfit is simply switching leaders and bank accounts, as it has in the past.