New Delhi, October 3

Days after it asked Islamabad to take “effective” steps to stop the activities of terrorist groups on its territory, Russia today said it “welcomes” the surgical strikes by India as every country has a right to defend itself.Russia’s Ambassador to New Delhi Alexander M Kadakin said his country had always been with India in fighting cross-border terrorism. “Greatest human rights violations take place when terrorists attack military installations and peaceful civilians in India. We welcome surgical strikes. Every country has the right to defend itself,” Russian embassy quoted Kadakin as having told a news channel. He said India didn’t have to worry about Russia-Pakistan military exercise as it did not take place in PoK. — PTI

United over surgical strikes

Vote politics can cut short political consensus

Other than Rahul Gandhi’s left-handed compliment to Narendra Modi on his “first PM-like action in two and a half years”, political support across the board for the surgical strikes has been unqualified and unequivocal. Even Arvind Kejriwal has found a reason to laud Modi’s “decisiveness”. In a delayed response the Delhi Chief Minister has said: “I may have 100 differences with the PM, but I salute him for his approach towards Pakistan.” The commendable display of political unity at home is in sharp contrast to the initial political infighting across the border that saw Imran Khan attacking Nawaz Sharif before the political parties rallied to the Prime Minister’s support. However, the display of unity across the political spectrum is fragile and the return to the usual politics of bickering and mudslinging can be hastened by acts or words of not so thoughtful leaders. It is evidently difficult for Amit Shah and his fellow travellers to resist for too long the temptation of using this sudden surge in goodwill for Modi to enhance the BJP’s electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. In Punjab, the political peace already stands shattered. Capt Amarinder Singh has accused the Modi government of creating war hysteria and questioned the desirability of evacuating border villages. He says Chief Minister Badal should have resisted the Centre’s move that has put a large number of people in a situation of helplessness. There must be valid reasons for the Home Ministry’s abrupt move but the battle-weary residents’ queries on the urgency of unsettling their lives should have been addressed. They see no military movement or signs of a possible conflict. The evacuation could have been better handled, better timed and better explained. However, while speaking and working for those displaced, both the Captain and Badal also see them as voters. One is trying to pin the blame for their present plight on someone in the ruling camp and the other is trying for sympathy votes by listening to public grievances — Badal’s favourite pastime and tried political tool. The familiar political blame game can revive in other states too.

Indo-Pak tensions

No cure if basic causes remain untouched

India and Pakistan are engaged in a complex duel that is not destined to produce a victor. The squabbling parties will at one point walk away claiming victory over the other. They began matching wits after India abandoned its strategy of launching retaliatory strikes under a veil of deniability. An extremely slick presentation about India admitting to crossing over into Pakistan to avenge the Uri killings was wrapped in carefully planned bouts of diplomatic sabre-rattling. A good cop-bad cop routine was also set in motion. Immediately after the attacks, Modi played the statesman in Kerala, while Sushma Swaraj threw the cutlery at the UN. Now, the Prime Minister speaks of the ill-effects of war while his Defence Minister talks up the option for escalation.Pakistan is equally adept at the game of psychological warfare that keeps the adversary at bay, declaims its innocence and utilises the time to regroup or de-escalate. The only fly in the ointment is that this war of words may win back the domestic constituency that the liberals were unable to match. But it leaves the basic discord unaddressed. It now seems that both sides are moving towards a conversation. Simultaneously, the potential for restraint on both sides could break down if the continuing hostilities on the line of control and the attack on the army’s Baramulla camp doesn’t remain a solitary instance.Even if the discussion between the NSAs gives way to back-channel talks, the Modi government will end up looking like its predecessors. Its only feather for three attacks on its territory will be the publicly acknowledged army foray across the border. Pakistan has vigorously challenged even that. As snow begins to inhibit troop mobility, both sides will settle into an uneasy truce. After the dust has settled, questions will be asked about when and how will India address the basic issue of Kashmir? And what are its options, if there is a bigger attack on an army camp? Only the naïve will believe that Pakistan has been chastened by a single night of small arms’ firing even if it took place in its territory.