The international expert on Islamist terrorism, Yossef Bodansky called upon India to be firm against perpetrators of terrorism. He told a seminar gathering in California that "It is imperative then that the Indians take on initiative, militarily and try to contain the subversion at home". Bodansky added "Kashmir issue was unlikely to get resolved in the foreseeable future", others were of the view that the solution reached should be a long-term solution and not a convenient solution. 

Canada indicts Pak for fanning terrorism 

Canada has openly condemned Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism. It fears that immigrants, inspired by Pakistan's intelligence apparatus will "import extremist tendencies". To convey strong resentment to the visiting Pak Foreign Minister, Abdul Satar, 

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIs) released its report, indicting Pak for continued tension in J&K. The report states, "the protracted Indo-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir featuring periodic open warfare and Pakistan-backed insurgent activity continues to be a major concern. Pakistan's endorsement of the Kashmiri militant movement ensures the continuance of conflict along the LoC. Pakistan' long-standing support of the Sikh extremist issue is a major factor in its endurance. The report emphasises the spill over effect of ongoing support by Pakistan's intelligence apparatus of J&K conflict, with its growing linkage with the Taliban, the Islamic militia, into expatriate communities around the world. 

Friendly Indo-Russian ties disappearing: CIA 

CIA, US Intelligence Agency has in its report said that the friendly Indo-Russian ties are disappearing for two reasons. Russia as a weak state compounds India's immediate and long-term problems. "The chaos in Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia over which Russia might once have exerted a strong restraining influence is now free to spread. Most Indians believe correctly, it will spread southward, infecting Pakistan and eventually, possibly India's large northern Islamic population", says the report authored by Enders Wimbush of Strategic Assessment Centre, Science Applications International Corporation. Second reason assigned is that Russia is selling sophisticated military equipment and technologies to India's principal enemy, China and is also seeking a form of accommodation with Pakistan". It may be recalled that last January, many eyebrows were raised in north block over Russian suggestion of 'Give and Take' on Kashmir. A high-profile Russian Academician turned diplomat, Vigasin has been associated with Stephen Cohen in a project over Kashmir. 

Mystery over Netaji's death deepens 

Mystery over the death of Netaji Subash Chander Bose has deepened with the refusal of British government to disclose any relevant vital document from its archives before 2021. Meanwhile US documents declassified recently state that even in 1964 US Intelligence agencies were not convinced of Netaji's death in Aircrash on August 18, 1945. It may be recalled that documents from Russian Archives indicate that Netaji was alive for at least two years after the said crash. 

The Dalai Lama's mistake

As the massacre in Doda has again shown, the militants have intensified their efforts to refocus international attention on Kashmir in the aftermath of the Agra setback. The intention obviously is to show that unless there is a settlement, peace will continue to elude Kashmir. However, by targeting only Hindus in Doda, the militants have revealed that theirs is a futile attempt at ethnic cleansing which can by no means be regarded as a "freedom struggle", as described by General Pervez Musharraf. No description other than terrorism can be applied to the selective killing of innocent villagers belonging to a certain community that was carried out in Doda. Given this context, it is clear that the Dalai Lama's equation of the conditions in Kashmiri with Tibet is patently wrong. 

The Tibetan pontiff has told a peace conference in Chennai that the Tibetans living in exile in India had agreed to end their struggle for independence if "genuine self-rule" was granted to them by China. However, there can be no comparison between a communist dictatorship and Indian democracy. Since "genuine self-rule" can hardly be said to exist in China, such concepts have little meaning in that region. In contrast, Kashmir has had a popular government ever since its accession to India in accordance with the terms laid down at the time of the subcontinent's partition. It is beside the point, therefore, to call for any kind of "self-rule" or "the people's inclusion in the (India-Pakistan) talks", as the Dalai Lama has said. Evidently, his lack of "association" with the Kashmir issue, as he has acknowledged, is responsible for these simplistic remarks. 

It has to be remembered that there is an assembly of people's representatives in Kashmir elected on the basis of universal franchise, unlike Tibet or China. If the Indian government has to consult anyone, it has to meet these representatives first. True, there are other organisations, too, such as the Hurriyat Conference which in itself is an amalgam of more than 20 outfits. Their views have also to be taken into account, as the Centre's emissary, K.C. Pant, has been engaged in doing. But before any such negotiations can take place, the acts of terrorism conducted by fanatical elements, as in Doda, have to be dealt with ruthlessly by the security forces. The "middle path" cannot be pursued, as advocated by the Dalai Lama, when a jehad or medireview-style crusade is conducted by religious bigots. 
 

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