Neighbourhood Trouble!

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Any ideology that doesn't allow differing viewpoints to co-exist peacefully is unfit for humans. It is not that the world is against Islamic countries or republics. The problem is with the Osama - Mullah Omar type interpretation of Islam which is troubling the whole world. 

USA is thousands of miles away from the Islamic center of the world (referred to as middle-east), but is the most active player in the region, thanks to one 9/11. India, despite being the closest tolerant, secular and democratic country, is of little relevance in this part of the world. I feel we are too tolerant and distortedly secular.

I am not suggesting that we should get involved in the muddy waters. But do we atleast understand what is happening in our neighbourhood and most importantly do we have any strategy to counter its effects on us? The way the government is acting doesn't certainly suggest that.

It is now very clear that the Pakistani state has lost control of a significant part of Pakistan. This despite having such a bloated army, funded to the hilt by US. Now both of them are utterly clueless as to what to do. That is why we see the spectacle of the Pakistani state capitulating to the Pakistani Taliban's demands in SWAT valley of Pakistan. Now there are reports of Pakistan's Army chief Kayani serving an "ultimatum" to Zardari to "perform or perish". Funny, that someone should think Zardari has any power to perform anything in Pakistan. Even more funny is the fact that Kayani is saying this. Despite being the chief of the only real institution of Pakistan who have had almost absolute control over the state, if he is not able to control the rise of fundamentalists, what can poor Zardari do?

An unstable, fragmented Pakistan is clearly not in India's interests. A Pakistan controlled by a bunch of fringe lunatics like the Taliban is India's worst nightmare. It is time India wakes up to this reality and urgently strengthen our internal security. Also, India should work with global powers and join efforts to prevent the Pakistani state from crumbling.

And in this significant moment, the last thing India needs is another Deve Gowda or IK Gujral at the helm of affairs!

Comments

  1. AntzzzzMarch 13, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    It is in india's interest to handle these affairs carefully. But we seem to be oblivious to the happenings in the neighboring countries be it either pakistan or bangaladesh. Obama made a statement (before becoming the president) that he would not mind attacking pakistan. Now he seems to be suffering from hypersomnia. Hope the world awakes to this potentially dangerous scenario. Otherwise we could be in the epicenter of WWIII.

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