India, Pakistan To Desist From Provocation in Troubled Time

It is either a misfortune or the uncontrollable emotions of think tanks in India and Pakistan, which have entangled them in a competition of uttering rhetorics. Tension between the two countries has thus increased. The happenings, which have knowingly or unwillingly occurred, are adding to it. Violation of ceasefire on the borders and failure to bid for Pakistan cricketers for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for cricket are among such incidents.
At a time when there is no sign of bitterness in bilateral relations being reduced, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani issued a highly irresponsible statement. He refused to guarantee that there would be no further Mumbai-type terrorist attacks in India. What is surprising is that he said this to the US Defense Secretary Roberts Gates. That the latter gave him a patient hearing is even more surprising. This implies that he did not go to Pakistan in order to bring it on the right track.

Rise in Terrorism
In the midst of this tense atmosphere in the two countries comes the bad news about the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba conspiring a major attack on the Republic Day (26 January). This causes no sensation because ever since the Mumbai attack, reports about such conspiracies being hatched across the border have been pouring in. This is enough to prove that Pakistan is least interested in controlling the terrorist organizations which are flourishing on its soil and whose sole intention is to continue attaching India. In the midst of news that the Lashkar is planning another major attack on India, Defense Minister A.K. Antony issued a statement confirming that India was ready to face such attacks.
It is difficult to understand the implication of this speech. Why are such inciting statements being made to increase tension when it is quite clear that the Lashkar and other terrorist organizations are trying to push the two countries to a war through their anti India activities?

Creating Internal Security Challenges
The atmosphere caused by these statements is favorable to terrorists. India should at least refrain from issuing statements which will make Pakistan become frenzied. The same gesture can also be expected from Pakistan, but in the present circumstances its leaders are perhaps unwilling to think of their own good. If this had not been true, Pakistan would never have ignored the Lashkar threat looming large before it and described India the foremost enemy. Since Pakistan seems to be disinclined to undergo self-analysis, it has itself become a victim of terror. At the same time, it is creating internal security challenges for India.