That Pakistan has agreed to follow all cease-fire norms and honour all pacts with India is a very big step in the direction of establishing “mutually beneficial and sustainable peace” along the line of control (Loc) between the two countries.
In fact, to the common Indian people, the decision taken by the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries might have come as a surprise development. Nevertheless, it marks evolution of certain maturity on part of Pakistan whose forces were habitually violating all cease-fire norms for years with no obvious provocation.
On many of those occasions when the cease-fire violations took place, innocent Indian civilians suffered unnecessary loss of life and property. The new development may save India from that suffering.
The two Directors General of Military Operations have agreed to use all the existing mechanisms such as hotline connect and flag-meetings along the border to resolve whatever the issues rankling both sides.
Unfortunately, Pakistan forces never made use of those mechanisms and indulged in wanton violations of cease-fire norms, creating a lot of bad blood between the two countries. All that could have been avoided easily if Islamabad had behaved with a greater sense of maturity. Of course the other party being Pakistan, India will have to very cautious and keep its fingers crossed whether the new agreement, would be honoured in full measure.
Time and again, it has been seen that Pakistan forces kept needling India through minor or major cease-fire violations, no matter the consequences.
Now, however, Islamabad appears to have realised that it is in its better interest to avoid uncalled for confrontation with as strong a neighbour as India. The motivation to do so might have come from the fact that India has proved itself stronger in military diplomacy vis-Ã -vis China, leading to generation of certain scare in Islamabad’s mind about India’s propensity to hit back harder than ever if some nonsense takes place.
In fact, over time without making any fuss, the Indian troops had been responding very strongly to Pakistan overtures. That too might have been one of the reasons why the Pakistanis agreed to start following cease-fire norms more strictly.
There may be no doubt that India is fully aware that Pakistan is not a reliable neighbour. Even if it agrees to follow cease-fire norms more strictly, Islamabad will always have various terror modules to assist in its dirty designs as non-State players. Over time, Islamabad has earned for itself the dubious distinction of the world’s biggest sponsorer of terrorism.
It is common knowledge that it will never stop indulging in that dirty activity, no matter international pressure or sanctions, since supporting and sponsoring terrorism is an integral part of Pakistan’s official State policy.
Even if it signs a fresh agreement with Pakistan about upholding cease-fire norms, India is conscious that Pakistan will keep returning to its dirty ways time and again. It is not without reason that Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar stated once again a couple of days ago that terrorism continues to be one of the gravest threats to humanity. When he made that statement, Dr Jaishankar was conscious that he was making clear reference to Pakistan.
Yet, entering such agreements with neighbours is a normal activity of a gentleman State such as India. It has been New Delhi’s stated policy to keep open the doors to establish connect with all neighbours, no matter how vile they may be in their overall conduct. Over time, India has had countless pacts about cease-fire and having peace and tranquillity along the International Border or Line of Control—not just with Pakistan but also with other countries such as China.
On its part, New Delhi has been absolutely gentlemanly in following all the agreements to the hilt. But it has also not shied away from acting sternly if anybody indulges in overtures beyond sovereign word. In the latest agreement with Pakistan too, India will following the same practice.
(The writer is based at Khordha, Mob: 6370675562)