There is a sense of outrage among the average Indian over the security blunders committed by the Central government in Kashmir time and again. Why did not the government in the first place appreciate where would this unilateral appeasement lead to ? George Tanham, the US defence analyst while talking about India's strategic culture once commented, "Indian's continue to be relatively neglectful of security issues and have no institutionalized method of appraising threats and fashioning strategic responses.

November 'Peace Initiative' was crafted on three myths. One, that there was groundswell for peace in Kashmir and Kashmiris were tired of attritional violence. Secondly, Hurriyat wanted a face saving formula to enter political mainstream. Thirdly Pakistani stakes in proxy-war were only Kashmir specific and Give/Take approach would help clinch the deal for a lasting solution. Above all the top BJP leadership has been claiming that Americans were supportive of Indian position on Kashmir and retain the initiative in reigning in Pakistan from sponsoring cross-border terrorism. NDA leadership put all its eggs in American basket for sorting out crisis in Kashmir.

Events have proved the naivety of the BJP leaders. Not only has America turned its back on declaring the monsters of Lashker-i-Toiba and Jaish-i-Mohammed as terrorist organisations but also continues to indulge in diplomatic blackmail over the issue of dialogue with Pakistan and patronizing 'Third Option' solutions. 

America's another preposterous claim that Kashmir war is not a 'religious issue' puts the larger American designs in South Asia in true perspective. It underlines American approach to engage rabidly Islamist groups to further its interests in Kashmir and Central Asia.

How long shall we live in the self delusion that Kashmir theofascist insurgency is not a military problem? It is imperative that the government comes out with a clear and non-discriminatory counter terrorism doctrine. One that places the national interests above all other personal and party political expediencies.
 

Next Article