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ShivangiBharti
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For almost four days now India is looking at its potential response to the grave provocation by Pakistan
through the premeditated sneak attack on the Uri garrison which led to the death of 18 soldiers. The
surmises which have emerged after deliberations of experts and government are important to recount.
First, there must not be any knee jerk reaction because that will pay no dividend and could force us to do
exactly what the terrorist leadership or Pakistan’s deep state wishes. Second, we must respond with clear
cut strategic aim at a time and place that we choose, and not be forced to do so. Third, the use of both
the diplomatic option to isolate Pakistan, exploiting the ongoing UNGA session and the military option
with a choice of actions from a given spectrum, has to be part of India’s strategy. Interestingly some
issues on the above strategy have arisen in the process of detailing it. Can there be a purely military
retribution to punish Pakistan without having to mix it with a diplomatic offensive? After 26 years of
proxy militancy/terror why hasn’t our diplomacy given us the dividend of seeing Pakistan isolated and
under sanctions?
This need an explanation of both Pakistan’s notoriety and strategic significance. Little is it realised
that the territory of Pakistan is one of the most important strategic real estates of the world. It is the
confluence of five civilisations; Indian, Chinese, Central Asian, Persian and Arab. Each of the regions
making up these civilisations has a strategic interest connected with Pakistan. Big power interests also
abound. India’s military actions could adversely affect any of these powers. China for instance is
inextricably linked to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The support of Afghanistan is an imperative.
Iran’s guaranteed neutrality robs Pakistan of its perceived strategic depth. The US, perhaps the most.