Pune After Mumbai

A terrorist strike in any part of the country before the beginning of a dialogue is nothing new. Whoever might have been responsible for the Pune attack, his purpose was undoubtedly to humiliate India and to scare Indians.
It can easily be assumed that only terrorist organizations flourishing in Pakistan or their supporters could have been motivated by such malicious intentions. Unfortunately Pakistan is determined to assure that such forces continue to be defiant.

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
Active terrorist organizations across the border were recently given the opportunity to publicly threaten India, and some support was also extended to them. Such an attitude will obviously encourage anti-national forces. The argument that some organizations want to create situations to prevent bilateral relations from becoming normal does not hold much water.
It is by now quite clear that Pakistan is least interested in taking action against such organizations. As a matter of fact, they form an integral part of its foreign policy and diplomacy. Just as it is reluctant to take the Taliban to task, Pakistan is unwilling to take any action against organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiyiba.
The Indian Government is surely aware of this fact. Nevertheless, its conclusions on the talks to be held with Pakistan no 25 February will be awaited. Terrorism and talks cannot go side-by-side, nor is such a situation desirable.

Diplomatic Maneuvers
It may not be possible to cancel the talks at this stage. But no one has stopped India from protesting in international forums against Pakistan taking advantage of terrorism in its diplomatic maneuvers. Failing to launch a strong and aggressive campaign against Pakistan at the international level will, in the ultimate analysis, provide it with the excuse that terrorist organizations will have the upper hand if the two countries do not sort out their problems.
It is quite obvious that Pakistan has succeeded in deceiving the United States. But why is India being fooled by Pakistan?

Question of Internal Security
On the question of internal security, it may be similarly asked why terrorist attacks could not be foiled even in cases where previous information had been received? Explosions were carried out in areas that were more or less on the terrorist radar. This matter should not be taken lightly. It is frustrating to find after the explosion in the German bakery in Pune that the police and intelligence agencies have made no headway after the Mumbai attacks.
In order to prove that internal security has been strengthened after the 26 November 2008 terrorist attack, it is essential to expose those who were involved in the Pune incident. This terrorist attack also points out to the need for streamlining the international security system further.