A Part Of Pak's Strategy Of Cross-Border Terrorism

Under Western influence, the World Bank had brokered a pro-Pakistan pact.

- AJAY DUA

The dastardly, Pakistan state-sponsored terrorist attack on April 22, which killed 26 innocent tourists holidaying in the lush meadows at Baisaran, near Pahalgam in J&K, has once again brought international focus to the tenuous relationship between the two neighbours. In retaliation to the gruesome sectarian murders of Hindus, India promptly initiated measures impacting bilateral trade, movement of Pakistani citizens, downsizing its high commission in New Delhi, and putting the operation of the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.

Denying involvement in the horrific act—despite low-cost terrorism being its preferred mode of strategic warfare for the past 35 years—the Pakistan government launched its countermeasures. These echoed the Indian actions and included the suspension of Indian civilian aircraft from its airspace (India reciprocated with a similar move a week later). Specifically, in response to India's action on the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan indicated its intention to rescind or suspend existing bilateral pacts, including the Simla Agreement.

Following the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, the Indira Gandhi-Zulfiqar Bhutto pact had turned the 740 km long 1948 ceasefire line in Jammu & Kashmir into the actual Line of Control. Soon thereafter, three senior Pakistani ministers belligerently termed any interruption of water flow from India as an act of war warranting military reprisals.

Another minister threatened that Pakistan's arsenal of 130 tactical nuclear missiles was now pointed at India.

Such belligerent statements, aimed at promoting jingoism and a false sense of security among its citizens, have caused Indo-Pak relations to hit a new low. Even in the best of times, the relationship was marred by deep mistrust and suspicion. The two nations have fought three full-fledged wars, and the 3,323 km-long border has been heavily guarded for the past 78 years.