We are witnessing a spurt in terrorist attacks in Jammu Kashmir, Jammu region in particular. It is naturally troubling peace loving citizens and patriots everywhere. Concerned people are trying to find out exact reasons behind this abrupt escalation in dreaded assaults. Common people in the streets wonder about the targeting of innocent pilgrims. Piercing images of innocent two year old little angel Livansh (Kuttu) of Chaumun in Jaipur Rajasthan rattled even strong willed persons.
People are justifiably tormented, anguished and agitated. Why shall peace loving, law abiding and God fearing family have to face annihilation on a religious trip which they must have planned for months together. They must have worked very hard to earn this much awaited pilgrimage outing. Mere imagination of the devastation of such a family hurts immensely. Survivors of these families, if any, can never have a normal life.
How long are we going to witness this bloodbath? Is there any end to it?
Terrorism never succeeds
First and foremost thing to remember is that terrorism has never succeeded in any part of the world, no matter how justified the cause may appear. It will never ever succeed at any point in the future. This is not a forecast of any fortune teller. This is a fact recurrently established by human experience in almost every part of the universe.
Martha Crenshaw a scholar of repute on terrorism observed as early as 1980 that “the outcomes of campaigns of terrorism have been largely ignored,” as “most analyses have emphasized the causes and forms rather than the consequences of terrorism”. The data analysis found that target selection. Groups whose attacks on civilian targets outnumbered attacks on military targets systematically failed to achieve their policy objectives, regardless of their nature. These findings further suggest that (1) terrorist groups rarely achieve their policy objectives, and (2) the poor success rate is inherent to the tactic of terrorism itself.
This challenges the opinion that terrorism is strategically a rational behaviour. It is almost an established fact that the strategy of terrorist groups and sponsoring countries to attack civilians to coerce governments into making policy concessions does not work. India in general and Jammu Kashmir in particular is no different. Perpetrators of crimes against humanity will have to face this law of nature. It is just a matter of time. Law of the land will also take its own course.
China-Pak Nexus
“We have noted unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan of 07 June 2024,” a statement issued recently by the MEA said. “We categorically reject such references. Our position on the issue is consistent and well-known to the concerned parties.”
The ministry added that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India and will always remain so. “The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same,” MEA pointed out.
The ministry of external affairs also highlighted that the June 7 joint statement of Pakistan and China also mentioned activities and projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, some of which are under India’s sovereign territory under forcible and illegal occupation by Pakistan.
India is concerned about continuing deep links between China and Pakistan, its two main military and political adversaries. These concerns are well known and tangible. Indian customs officials reportedly intercepted a Malta-flagged merchant ship carrying a computer numerical control machine en route from China to Pakistan. According to PTI the interception was done on the basis of an intelligence input on January 23, 2024. In one similar incident in February 2020, India caught suspected dual-use items being shipped by China to Pakistan.
Chinese reaction to India- Taiwan relationship is also open. Taiwan’s recently elected president, Lai Ching-te, was among the first to congratulate Modi last week in a message that touted “the fast-growing” Taiwan-India partnership. Modi responded by endorsing “closer ties” between the two governments as well as a “mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership.” China, predictably, did not take it well.
Emerging India- The Target
Emerging India is challenging dominance of established Global players in almost every field of human activity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to his credit the transformed image of India. His leadership and governance provided much needed guidance and enabling environment to Indians to think big. Developed India-Viksit Bharat Sankalap as he terms it is a possibility that every Indian thinks can be achieved.
Defence exports have touched a record Rs 21,083 crore (approx. US$ 2.63 Billion) in the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, a growth of 32.5% over the last fiscal when the figure was Rs 15,920 crore. The recent figures indicate that the defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years as compared to FY 2013-14.
Remember India was the largest importer of Defence equipment and a substantial customer of western powers. Recollect how hugely the Arms Lobby must be hurt when Modi Ji started emphasising on Atma Nirbhar Bharat for production of Defence Assets in Bharat!
Pharma Lobby also is not happy with Indian policies of securing the health of its citizens. Published reports reveal communications between the USTR and the world’s most powerful pharmaceutical and trade lobbying groups raised concerns about India’s push at the global stage to exempt Covid vaccines from intellectual property. The US Chamber of Commerce, the biggest lobbying group in the US, also made submissions to block India’s efforts to enforce compulsory licensing of various vaccines by relaxing IP requirements, which would have enhanced the availability and affordability not just in India but across the world.
India under Narendra Modi’s stewardship navigated disruptions in the energy market skillfully using economic diplomacy to position itself in the geo-politics of oil. It works swiftly to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and expands its matrix to include more renewables, besides delicately balancing its political relationship with both Washington DC and Moscow. There are similar stories everywhere, be that Space, innovation, entrepreneurship, sports, environmental protection and so on.
National Security
The concept of national security has undergone tremendous transformation. It no longer is limited to the capacity of a nation to mobilize military forces to guarantee its borders and to deter or successfully defend against physical threats including military aggression and attacks by non-state actors, such as terrorism.
National security is the security and defence of a nation state, including its citizens, economy, and institutions, which is regarded as a duty of government. It involves securing of national interests and assets beyond territorial limits also.
India’s approach to national security under PM Modi has seen pre-emptive, proactive and graded responses. The country is now committed to safeguarding its territorial integrity. Our hostile next door neighbors are annoyed with this changed approach of India. Their experience and expectations are badly hit. Hence their nefarious designs to foment trouble on any available opportunity are visible and anticipated.
The on-going spurt in terror attacks needs to be visualized in this background. But at the same time we must trust our leadership. Enemy will get a befitting reply at the time and place of our choosing.
(GL Raina @ Ajey Bharti is a Former Member of Legislative Council of J&K and spokesperson of BJP_JK)
