This refers to the report, “Pak’s predictable rollback” (July 14) by Vineeta Pandey. The military is the main power centre in Pakistan and will do anything to retain its position. For this, the Pakistan Army needs a perpetual enemy — India. If relations with India improve, the military will lose its importance.
There are multiple historical instances in the Indian subcontinent wherein self-interest has prevailed over national interest. For example, Jaichand of Kannauj and Mir Jafar are well known examples of treachery.
India has to understand that, even if it creates every kind of situation for peace, Pakistan’s military will always strive for enmity. The most pragmatic course of action here is to (i)ignore Pakistan (ii) allow low-level border skirmishes with wide publicity to keep the Pakistan military brass happy (so that terrorist activities are not scaled-up) and, (iii) keep talking to each other once in a while, since the absence of communication can lead to heightened anxieties and inadvertently lead to mis-steps.