This is totally uncalled for.

We should respect their right to separate existence as much as we respect our own. Imperialism has never solved any problem for anyone. If we cannot respect their right as a separate nation, what rights do we have to expect it from them? The solution lies in mutual respect on reciprocal basis. Jingoism – either of the left or the right – is a recipe for doom.

And as far as the U.S. role is concerned, there has certainly been a negative influence, but what about the Chinese role in supporting the Pakistani military dictators? Certainly this has also been a negative influence. And regardless, it is Pakistanis themselves who decided to put religious identity on a pedestal, above all else; everything that is happenning now can be traced back to that decision, and their slide into Talibanization cannot be reversed without reconsidering the role of religion in national identity.

Our support should always be for the people of the country – that will earn us goodwill. We should also keep a vigil on our borders – whenever Pakistani leaders have had domestic unrest, they have tried to divert attention of the public against India and use that to unite the people behind them. Musharraf can go to any lengths to attain his goals and if it seems beneficial for him, I don’t have any doubt that he would abandon his current stance of detente towards us and act against our interests. Kargil is a prime example.

Thus, we should adopt a two-pronged strategy. Don’t do anything to aggravate the situation with Pakistan. Adopt Narasimha Rao’s “inaction is action” policy on the foreign policy front. Simultaneously, take action on the defensive front – stepping up the vigil on the borders, stepping up intelligence to prevent any major re-activation of sleeper cells within India and so on. Till now, it seems like the Government of India is adopting this very two-pronged strategy.

I believe in international diplomacy, we have to be a bit selfish.

Musharraf may or may not be the best option for Pakistan, but as far as India’s self interests are concerned, he is our best bargain. An unstable and nuclear powered Pakistan will be a great threat to international community in general and to India in particular. The last we want is to see the nuclear button under control of a fanatic wahaabi, who gets his inspiration from the middle east and considers sufi traditions of the subcontinent as “innovations” in Islam. Howsoever dictatorial, Musharraf is a professional soldier who understands the risks of a nuclear war. We cannot say the same thing about hordes of criminal gangs roaming in that country masquerading themselves as “saviors” of Islam.

I believe, in today’s scenario India should use her full diplomatic leverage to support Mush.