Pakistan Our Difficult Neighbour and Allied Issues

Book Review
Pakistan Our Difficult Neighbour and Allied Issues By Brigadier Darshan Khullar (Retd) (Ambala Cantt: Pushpa Books, 2009)

The author has covered several vital issues; creation of Pakistan, various wars both countries fought, state sponsored terrorism, domestic problems of India and possible solutions. Pakistan was created not by dividing India into two nations but by dividing the Muslims of India that has served no one so far. The author briefly discusses the Pakistani political and military leadership and analyses how India has been betrayed on different occasions and how American interests in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, has been milked by the Pakistani political leaders and generals, towards arming their country.

In the struggle for power and supremacy, Pakistan has been subjugated under military rule. Problems like terrorism and insurgencies in India are instigated by Pakistan which has support of its government as well. In order to sustain its control and prominence over the country, the Pakistani military has tried to destabilise India through its nefarious designs and covert means. Pakistani conduct with India is partially guided by the historical rivalries and partially by the ongoing infighting among several centres of powers within Pakistan. Ironically, this mistrust is not only for India but also for its own people as is evident from the multitude of population living under miserable conditions. The author is of the opinion that Pakistan has great potential of becoming an economic power provided it cooperates with India.

Duplicity of the people who advocate Kashmiri independence and are playing the Kashmir card without having complete knowledge of the reality has been severely criticised in the book. The author also criticises Indian leaders’ faltering approach to the Kashmir issue. In Kashmir, the separatists are trying to create a separate state on religious basis by creating demographic imbalance as they have forced Kashmiri Pandits out of the valley. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), the demography has already been changed and the Kashmiri population has been reduced to a marginalised minority as more Punjabis have settled there. He argues that in the post-independence India, several states have been formed on lingual and other socio-economic factors but none has on the religious basis. If India does so, it will challenge the very secular character of the country.

The author pens a rather simplistic solution to the prolonged insurgency in the valley. He espouses: overlooking Kashmiri protests, the best solution is that India should do away with some existing constitutional provisions and settle people from other parts of the country in the Valley.

Indian leaders’ actions and intent – pre and post-Independence – have raised several unanswered questions. Citing number of examples from Indian independence struggle and post-independence Indian political scene, the author has constructively criticised Gandhi, Nehru and all the succeeding Prime Ministers for ignoring issues of national security for their political interests, which has served none. About Gandhi he says, “A saint with hugely political mind, Gandhi was a strange mixture of meekness and obstinacy.” Only Narasimha Rao was an exception but he also could not save himself from getting tainted. In order to appease Indian Muslims and present a good image of the nation to the world community, the leaders have done more harm than good to Indian citizens. Indian Muslims have remained unsatisfied as government policies have failed to address their socio-economic conditions adequately. Muslim women are the biggest sufferers in this entire political game.

The Sachar Committee  report does not reflect the true state of Indian Muslims. All the political parties, be it right, left or centre are maximising their political interests by putting vital issues like national security on the back-burner. Several Muslims have contributed their best to the nation. However a powerful section within Indian Muslims has been creating the entire ruckus such as Islamic terrorism and other underworld activities. Political support makes them immune to the law of the land and these people always play the communal and minority card. Minority celebrities are seldom exception to this rule. Assimilation, de-radicalisation of Muslim population and reconciliation of interests can be helpful in solving the problem. However, appeasement or countering Islamic radicalisation through Hindu fundamentalism will worsen it. 

Hindus are the majority in India and the time stands testimony to their pacifism and patience for other religions. However, there is no denying that there are some elements of fundamentalism within Hinduism as well. The problem ought to be nipped in the bud before it becomes too late and too difficult to control.

The author feels that Islam is multi-faceted and it would not have been practiced by nearly half of humanity for no reasons. Military conquests also played a significant role in propagating Islam to various parts of the world. However, Wahabism, having linkages with India, has been responsible for extreme radicalisation of certain sections of Muslims. Misinterpretation of Islam also has to be blamed for the rise of Islamic terrorism. In India, the Islamic terrorism has been supported by communal feelings and vested political interests of various communities. However, there is a considerable decline in the acts of terrorism post-26/11. In fact several eminent Muslim bodies have come out against terrorism and projected India as a Muslim friendly country. However, this situation will not last long.

The author is of the firm belief that Muslims are not economically as backward as portrayed by various reports and political parties, they are socially backward. Therefore, steps should be taken for their upliftment. They can become an eminent counter-terrorism force as most of the terrorist sleeper cells are operating from Muslim dominated areas.

The three dimensions of Islamic terrorism in India are Pakistan sponsored; home grown and; internationally spread Wahabi terrorism. The author gives solutions to all kinds of terrorism. Few are simply wishful thinking. India should align with the adversaries of Pakistan and disintegrate Pakistan into smaller parts. The best solution offered is military modernisation and capability built up corresponding with India’s economic growth. Thus achieved deterrence can prove Indian mettle and prevent adversaries from striking at will. 

Since the book is based on the personal experiences of the author and long association with the Indian Army, it provides fair information about the politico-military differences of opinion over several issues including number of wars. The manner in which military achievements were compromised partially because of political compulsions and inexperience and partially because of international pressure, have been nicely reflected.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies).