FAUJI INDIA - February 2018

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The well-orchestrated visit of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in January this year was a diplomatic watershed for Indo-Israeli ties. An all-weather friend, Israel has supported India in most trying times. With a long standing military cooperation, the present visit set the pace for a cohesive bi-lateral trade, science & technology, investment and arms purchase agreements. This closeness and open engagement has raised temperatures in Islamabad. It will have a definite bearing on India's relations with West Asia.
Closer home, the rogue state of Pakistan continues to get marginalized, with the US having suspended its aid, that has left Pak fuming and leaning more heavily on China. However, despite pressures, Pakistan isn't likely to mend it ways, when it comes to India. Pakistan has found its raison d'être to wage an eternal proxy war against India, even at the cost of taking their economy backwards, and losing the opportunity for growth and development.
Thus in the Valley, Pakistan continues to create trouble through paid stone pelting mobs and by keeping the masses glued to the narrative of 'azaadi'. The recent attack on an army convoy by a mob that led the army men to open fire in self-defence killing two locals, gave reason to local politicians to call for the army's withdrawal from the Valley, in line with Pakistan's aim of preparing the Valley for secession. Also, such incidents give Pakistan the fodder to project India as the aggressor and local Kashmiris as victims, to the world. The remaining state of J&K too has to suffer because of this ongoing unrest.