Editorial
Indo-Pak tension needs abating
Statesmanship expected from leaders of both countries
TENSION between India and Pakistan continues to mount, or at least shows little sign of receding, over the terror attack on Mumbai last month. The attack left India and Pakistan in a state of near hostility, as New Delhi steadfastly points its accusatory finger at an extremist religious outfit operating from Pakistan. Though Pakistan has been trying to wriggle out of the mesh, the identity of the lone captured attacker and links established through mobile calls, etc are major pointers that Islamabad cannot brush aside.
The most worrying part of the latest standoff is that the nuclear-tipped rivalry between the two neighbours could explode into full-blown hostility, thanks to the hawkish elements on either side of the border. The government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came under tremendous pressure from the ultra nationalist zealots to retaliate by attacking Pakistan. But it goes to the credit of the Indian government that it has successfully averted communalisation of the issue thus far. Obviously, if defeating the forces opposed to peace is the ultimate goal, war is not the option. It will only help the extremists out to spoil all reconciliatory efforts and gestures, which could enable the two countries to overcome mistrust stemming from the Mumbai carnage. What has happened is undoubtedly something unprecedented and Pakistan has to accept this fact and then begin repairing the damage wreaked on the interstate relationship.
We note though, the media on both sides have been strident, something they must consciously eschew in order not to complicate the situation further. The need of the hour is cooperation and understanding. The leaders of the two countries have to be discreet and must exercise utmost restraint in the face of any provocation that people with ill will might like to cause.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has very judiciously dismissed the talk of war, while reminding Pakistan of its obligation to act against terrorism. We believe Pakistan should feel reassured and go the extra mile in uprooting terrorists using its soil. This is what Pakistan is professedly committed to and nothing short of a genuine crackdown on the terrorist organisations will convince the international community that the country is really serious about combating terrorism.
Most important of all, we believe, active cooperation between India and Pakistan is sine qua non for containment of terrorism in this region. There are people with statesmanship qualities on either side of the border who must now come forward to wield their sobering influences.
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