The danger of war in one of the most dangerous parts of the world continues to escalate, largely ignored by the American media. For the first time in nearly 50 years Indian bombers have conducted operations deep inside Pakistani territory. At Project Syndicate Dr. Sudha Ramachandran declaims:
Pakistan’s support to militants and terror attacks in J&K through providing weapons, explosives and training is fuelling the violence. It has long fished in Kashmir’s troubled waters. The militarization of the conflict and Pakistani support to terrorists has weakened the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
However, the BJP government’s muscular handling and excessive use of force to deal with Kashmiri alienation cannot escape responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation in Kashmir as well.
India has sent a strong message to Pakistan to shut down anti-India terror factories on Pakistani soil. It must mobilize the international community to pressure Pakistan to shut down terror outfits.
Simultaneously, Delhi must put its house in order. The Modi government must address the turmoil at home. Sadly, it lacks the political will to deal honestly with Kashmiri grievances.
Indian military activity against Pakistan-based terrorists, supported by Pakistan’s military or secret service, bolsters the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national elections to be held in India in April and May.
It’s understandable that American media would avoid the subject. It’s far, far away and there is no real role for the U. S. in the conflict other than that of nervous onlooker. The number of things that could go wrong in this exchange of hostilities is vast. Matters could escalate willy-nilly to a nuclear exchange between the parties. Any or all of Pakistan’s multiple insurgent groups could seize the opportunity. The Islamabad government could collapse and Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.
The story might receive more attention then.
