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Compel The General

We should repay Pakistan in kind for acts of terrorism it perpetrates on our soil. India has to apply pressures on Pakistan diplomatically and covertly that compel General Musharraf to change his ways.

G. Parthasarathy

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Some years ago a former Director General of the ISI was asked at a Seminar in Islamabad what the principal objective of the ISI was. He replied: "Our aim is to weaken India from within and we can do it". While most Indians wrongly believe that the main aim of the ISI is to seek Pakistani control of Jammu & Kashmir, the ISI has a larger agenda. Its aim is to see the disintegration of India, so that Pakistan can emerge as the most powerful entity in the subcontinent. This is sought to be achieved by aiding separatist movements across India and using our other neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh to infiltrate terrorist elements operating not just in Kashmir, but also in Punjab and our northeastern states.

The ISI has used the Lashkar e taiba, an organization that openly proclaims that "Hindus, Christians and Jews" are the "enemies of Islam" and that it wishes to unfurl the green flag of Islam over the Red Fort, to spread terrorist violence in India. The Lashkar has been assisted to set up cells for terrorist violence across India and especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Delhi remains a critical centre for such ISI infiltration and terrorist violence. The recent bomb blasts in Delhi are the natural outcome of this policy.

General Musharraf is going through a difficult time. His government has faced international criticism for its inept response in providing relief to those affected by the recent earthquake in both Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) and in the Northwest Frontier Province. There is deep public resentment within Pakistan at his administration's response to the human tragedy the country has faced. NATO forces are now stationed in POK and the large foreign presence makes it difficult for him to reopen the terrorist camps that suffered some, but not total damage during the earthquake.

In these circumstances the morale of the ISI backed Jihadis has to be kept up by showing that India can still be "weakened from within" by terrorist strikes at the very centre of India's national capital. It matters little if the terrorist strike was carried out by the Babbar Khalsa or by the Lashkar-e-Taiba with assistance from its Al Qaeda affiliates. The ISI has worked for years to bring about a measure of coordination between the remnants of the Babbar Khalsa now living in Lahore and Faisalabad and groups like the Lashkar e Taiba.

The UPA government/ must take a substantial measure of blame for giving the impression in Pakistan and indeed internationally that the so called "peace process" will continue uninterrupted even if Pakistan continues promoting terrorism. The Communist allies of the UPA government must take an equal share of the blame as the only occasion that they condemn terrorist violence is when one of their leaders like Mohammed Tarigami is attacked.

The thoughtless and populist repeal of POTA at a time when countries across the world are making their terrorist laws more stringent reflects the actions of a government that just does not understand the seriousness of the terrorist challenge we face. Further, ever since the UPA government assumed office there has been a reluctance to strongly make our resentment known to the world community about the dangerous dimensions of continuing cross-border terrorism. We seem to believe that continuing the dialogue process with Pakistan at any cost is more important than exposing Pakistan's continuing support for terrorism.

There are no shortcuts to dealing with Pakistan. Tough new anti-terrorism laws have to be enacted making gruesome acts of terrorism punishable with a mandatory death sentence. We should repay Pakistan in kind for acts of terrorism it perpetrates on our soil. More importantly, a clear message needs to be sent to the world community and particularly to the United States that unless groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba that are now establishing a strong presence in POK through their relief work for earthquake victims, are effectively banned and their Headquarters in Muridhke shut down, we will not discuss the Kashmir issue with Pakistan. New Delhi also has to strengthen its intelligence presence in countries like Saudi Arabia that serve as a focal point for attempts to subvert Indian nationals and get them to act in collaboration with terrorists groups like the Lashkar.

Both Mr. Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh have shown a strange propensity in believing that General Musharraf is a "changed man" and that he has reduced levels of cross-border terrorism. General Musharraf has no intention of ever ending support for terrorism against India unless circumstances force him to do so. With over 80000 soldiers deployed to fight the Al Qaeda along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border he has, for the present, to regulate levels and forms of terrorism to avoid adverse international reactions and possible Indian retribution.. India has to apply pressures on Pakistan diplomatically and covertly that compel General Musharraf to change his ways. This objective cannot be achieved merely by praising General Musharraf, or by Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Natwar Singh smilingly posing for photographs with General Musharraf and Mr. Kasuri in New York, Islamabad and New Delhi .

G. Parthasarathy is a former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan. This article, in its Hindi translation, appears in the Outlook Saptahik dated November 14, 2005.

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Nov 12, 2005 12:00 AM 13	Sounds good, Rustam.That's a very interesting way of looking at it. India's messy, chaotic democracy is better, at the very least for itself, than China's totalitarianism, which wouldn't work in India in any case. Suffice it to say that if India, Vietnam or Thailand were supporting the kind of sadistic terror that Pakistan is perpetrating in India, they would be hearing from China. Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA
Nov 11, 2005 12:00 AM 12	Varun: I think China's "advantage" is that human rights are no consideration at all as far as dealing with any crimes against the state is concerned. The 'Independent' newspaper in the UK recently published a very interesting article on the occasion of the Chinese Chairman Hu's visit. China is absolutely ruthless towards its own citizens, thousands of whom get executed every year without due judicial process or any sort of legal representation, for a whole raft of offences ranging from corruption to violent offences. Needless to say, a huge number of these people are innocent. Moreover, reports from within China are heavily censored and almost everything which is negative is withheld from publication. There may be no terrorism, but look at the human cost. Personally, I am glad that India did not go down the totalitarian way. Rustam Roy London, UK
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 11	Actually, it's very interesting that China doesn't suffer from any terrorism, considering the amount of political repression that goes on there. It goes against the theory, so vigourously propagated after the World trade centre attack, that terrorism can often be explained as a response to highly authoritarian governments. In Tibet,China has colonized the place with Han settlers, denied provincial democracy, and maintains a large military presence- yet there hasn't been an act of militancy in decades. China has also officially outlawed the Falun Gong organization, which has no history of violence- yet that act of banning hasn't produced the opposite reaction of violence and terrorism. Well, it( terrorism as a response to repression) is just a theory! Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 10	Old Mac: A few lines from me are enough to set you off into such a long, pathetically contorted and confused outburst....Alas, poor Mac ! So much ineffective work... Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 9	Pompous Vile writes: >>But then, it is hardly surprising that you adopt such a boneheaded argument. If you have no idea even of elementary English syntax one can harldy expect an informed argument from you. "harldy," indeed. Your sentence should read, “If you have no IDEA OF EVEN (you transposed two prior words, dingleberry) elementary English syntax, one can [hardly] expect an informed argument from you.” In addition to your pompous syntax, erroneous spelling, you also lay a semantic egg. Stripped entirely of its dull syntax and even duller semantics, the sentence reads, “Since you can’t construct a simple sentence, it’s foolish to expect an informed argument from you.” By the way, adoption is for kittens, puppies and babies. I don’t adopt arguments; I make them. Pompous Vile’s writing style results in “I peregrinated among the flowerets that flounced the orangery, sniffing the saccharine ventilation of the vernal equinox” when people with fewer mental problems would say “I walked through the garden that bordered the garden, sniffing the sweet airs of spring.” The Tower of London awaits for Crimes against the Queen’s English. Deflating a hot air balloon is fun, ain’t it? Finally, "extinguishment of the illumination upon eggressing the chamber is requested." i.e. turn off the light before your ass leaves the room. >>Just take a look at your strange contorted second paragraph...! It’s bit challenging since I wrote it in invisible ink However, for the benefit of your eagle eyes, here’s my response: “Is Rashid reputable across the board or conveniently just for this single issue? I seek evidence of congruity in reasoning if the Chinese come down the mountains (again) for provoking them by indulging and harboring "terrorists" like the Dalai Lama whose "desire" for an independent Tibet threatens the territorial integrity of China from time immemorial” That’s one paragraph. Not two. It’s a pretty good imitation of your pompous style and it denudes your argument with India in Pakistan's place and China in India's place. >>Get an education. It is not too late. Get a pair of glasses and get a clue Old Mac ???, United States
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 8	A well-deserved criticism of the Indian government's lack of backbone as far as dealing with Pakistan is concerned. Time and again, India has either been caught with its pants down and subjected to surprise terrorist attacks or it has crumbled in the face of US pressure and backed down from acting tough with the Pakis. When will India finally understand that Musharraf is merely a more urbane and media-friendly version of other Pakistani military leaders? India needs to send a tough message that it will not tolerate the Paki sponsored terroristy attacks. The height of India's folly was opening the LOC and actually donating money to the Pakis - militant groups must still be struggling to believe that the Indian government could be as senile as that. Rustam Roy London, UK
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 7	But remember that India has nuclear weapons as well, and it has the ability to inflict punishment on Pakistan covertly and overtly, to raise the costs to Pakistan of supporting terrorist violence in India. There is no question of being "brothers" with Pakistan, a terrorist state, with or without Kashmir being solved. FYI, there was quite a lot of firing across the border in 2002; the withdrawal had a lot to do with a combination of American pressure and Indian naivete at the political level. India won't bow to terrorism in support of a movement( Kashmir) based on religious hatred and ethno-chauvinism, nuclear weapons or no weapons. So keep the terrorist attacks coming Mike. Have fun, see how far it gets you, jerk! Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 6	Old Mac: Anyone but an ignoramus would know that Ahmed Rashid is one of the best-informed observers on the subject of Islamic terrorism and Pakistan. Claiming there is no proof of Pakistani instigation of terrorism against India is the kind of absurdity that even intelligent pro-Pakistani observers no longer bother with. But then, it is hardly surprising that you adopt such a boneheaded argument. If you have no idea even of elementary English syntax one can harldy expect an informed argument from you. Just take a look at your strange contorted second paragraph...! Get an education. It is not too late. Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 5	Thomas Mild writes: >>That Pakistan is steadily indulging in such activity is readily admitted even by reputable Pakistani journalists like Ahmed Rashid. What more evidence does Old Mac seek? Is Rashid reputable across the board or conveniently just for this single issue? I seek evidence of congruity in reasoning if the Chinese come down the mountains (again) for provoking them by indulging and harboring "terrorists" like the Dalai Lama whose "desire" for an independent Tibet threatens the terroritorial integrity of China from time immemorial Old Mac ???, United States
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 4	The days of talking tough with Pakistanis are over as Nuclear Bombs have given them the equality they did not enjoy in 1971 War.In 2002 ,India put lakhs of soldiers and it did not scare Mushraff and after routing in cold and hot weather for 10 months and Indian Army withdraw without firing a single shot.Lets us the Cancer called Kashmir and we can live like brothers again.You sounded for like Sheva Sena goon than a dipolmat. Mike Khan Toronto, Canada
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 3	Yes Pakistan is like a terrorist bazaar, where terrorists are trained either by the ISI or under their benign presence. Some or many are sent of to India. Frankly knowing how ineffective all sections of the Indian state are, knowing the politics of the various actors- political parties, media and so forth there seems little chance of doing anything. India is not Israel where every terrorist act is punished soon after. Therefore there is little to choose, between the threats (but little action) from the previous government and the present efforts to flatter and molify the slimey and decietful Musharaff regime. Perhaps the best is to try and pay of the generals- money into accounts in Swiss or other banks- of their chooseing. The Congress has lots of experience in this, besed on their impressive experience at this type of thing. lalit bagai kalundborg, Brazil
Nov 07, 2005 12:00 AM 2	Says Old Mac: "It's blustery diplomats like Parthasarathy why Indian diplomacy seems so feckless and ineffective in solving problems." What comical syntax from the chap who is deriding the lack of intellect of others.... Parthasarathy is simply pointing out it is crazy for India to let Pakistan think it can train and send terrorists into India without fear of serious Indian retaliation. That Pakistan is steadily indulging in such activity is readily admitted even by reputable Pakistani journalists like Ahmed Rashid. What more evidence does Old Mac seek? That some tougher action needs to be taken against Pakistan by India is commonsense except for cowardly Indian rulers and for anyone inside the wondrous realm from which Old Mac produces his masterpieces of odd logic and skewed syntax. One thing Parthasarathy strangely overlooks is that India has a very power means of punishing Pakistan in the Indus Water Treaty. India should simply stop observing this crucial water-sharing agreement if Pakistan fails to halt terrorism. That will quickly put huge pressure from the Pakistani public on the Pak government. India doesn't seem to have the guts and willpower for offensive armed action against the Pakistanis. But it ought to be able to use the Indus Treaty to pressure the Paks. Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 06, 2005 12:00 AM 1	I guess paranoia is not a bar to becoming a "High Commissioner." What a laugh....ISI's goal of disintegrating India. If India disintegrates its because of its own internal contradictions (to use a marxist phrase) not because of some silly men in garish uniforms across the border. Lenin promised to make the capitalists sell the rope that he will use to hang the capitalists. KGB talked about useful idiots. Both are dead as a doornail. In other words, talk is cheap; whether the talk is from ISI or from RAW. It's blustry diplomats like Parthasarathy why Indian diplomacy seems so feckless and ineffective in solving problems. He writes "The recent bomb blasts in Delhi are the natural outcome of this policy." This out-of-power and out-of-his-mind former diplomat has linked Laskhar to the Delhi bombing by an article of faith that "it must be true" which obviates evidence. Musharraf's difficulties in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) somewhat mirror India's difficulties in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Repeal of POTA was a good thing. Where's the proof that it was effective in fighting terrorism? How many foiled acts of terrorism can one attributed exclusively to POTA? Passing laws will not magically control terrorism. It requires patient and long-term intelligence and police work. Moreoever, POTA was creating new and legitimate grievances in the body politic. I have no problem with mandatory death sentences for people who are guilty of terrorism. Unfortunately, the confidence in Indian criminal justice system with its endemic political interference means little confidence that it can catch the guilty and not punish the innocents. Its a good thing that this author can do no more than write harmless articles. Old Mac ???, United States

Nov 06, 2005 12:00 AM 1	I guess paranoia is not a bar to becoming a "High Commissioner." What a laugh....ISI's goal of disintegrating India. If India disintegrates its because of its own internal contradictions (to use a marxist phrase) not because of some silly men in garish uniforms across the border. Lenin promised to make the capitalists sell the rope that he will use to hang the capitalists. KGB talked about useful idiots. Both are dead as a doornail. In other words, talk is cheap; whether the talk is from ISI or from RAW. It's blustry diplomats like Parthasarathy why Indian diplomacy seems so feckless and ineffective in solving problems. He writes "The recent bomb blasts in Delhi are the natural outcome of this policy." This out-of-power and out-of-his-mind former diplomat has linked Laskhar to the Delhi bombing by an article of faith that "it must be true" which obviates evidence. Musharraf's difficulties in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) somewhat mirror India's difficulties in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Repeal of POTA was a good thing. Where's the proof that it was effective in fighting terrorism? How many foiled acts of terrorism can one attributed exclusively to POTA? Passing laws will not magically control terrorism. It requires patient and long-term intelligence and police work. Moreoever, POTA was creating new and legitimate grievances in the body politic. I have no problem with mandatory death sentences for people who are guilty of terrorism. Unfortunately, the confidence in Indian criminal justice system with its endemic political interference means little confidence that it can catch the guilty and not punish the innocents. Its a good thing that this author can do no more than write harmless articles. Old Mac ???, United States
Nov 07, 2005 12:00 AM 2	Says Old Mac: "It's blustery diplomats like Parthasarathy why Indian diplomacy seems so feckless and ineffective in solving problems." What comical syntax from the chap who is deriding the lack of intellect of others.... Parthasarathy is simply pointing out it is crazy for India to let Pakistan think it can train and send terrorists into India without fear of serious Indian retaliation. That Pakistan is steadily indulging in such activity is readily admitted even by reputable Pakistani journalists like Ahmed Rashid. What more evidence does Old Mac seek? That some tougher action needs to be taken against Pakistan by India is commonsense except for cowardly Indian rulers and for anyone inside the wondrous realm from which Old Mac produces his masterpieces of odd logic and skewed syntax. One thing Parthasarathy strangely overlooks is that India has a very power means of punishing Pakistan in the Indus Water Treaty. India should simply stop observing this crucial water-sharing agreement if Pakistan fails to halt terrorism. That will quickly put huge pressure from the Pakistani public on the Pak government. India doesn't seem to have the guts and willpower for offensive armed action against the Pakistanis. But it ought to be able to use the Indus Treaty to pressure the Paks. Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 3	Yes Pakistan is like a terrorist bazaar, where terrorists are trained either by the ISI or under their benign presence. Some or many are sent of to India. Frankly knowing how ineffective all sections of the Indian state are, knowing the politics of the various actors- political parties, media and so forth there seems little chance of doing anything. India is not Israel where every terrorist act is punished soon after. Therefore there is little to choose, between the threats (but little action) from the previous government and the present efforts to flatter and molify the slimey and decietful Musharaff regime. Perhaps the best is to try and pay of the generals- money into accounts in Swiss or other banks- of their chooseing. The Congress has lots of experience in this, besed on their impressive experience at this type of thing. lalit bagai kalundborg, Brazil
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 4	The days of talking tough with Pakistanis are over as Nuclear Bombs have given them the equality they did not enjoy in 1971 War.In 2002 ,India put lakhs of soldiers and it did not scare Mushraff and after routing in cold and hot weather for 10 months and Indian Army withdraw without firing a single shot.Lets us the Cancer called Kashmir and we can live like brothers again.You sounded for like Sheva Sena goon than a dipolmat. Mike Khan Toronto, Canada
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 5	Thomas Mild writes: >>That Pakistan is steadily indulging in such activity is readily admitted even by reputable Pakistani journalists like Ahmed Rashid. What more evidence does Old Mac seek? Is Rashid reputable across the board or conveniently just for this single issue? I seek evidence of congruity in reasoning if the Chinese come down the mountains (again) for provoking them by indulging and harboring "terrorists" like the Dalai Lama whose "desire" for an independent Tibet threatens the terroritorial integrity of China from time immemorial Old Mac ???, United States
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 6	Old Mac: Anyone but an ignoramus would know that Ahmed Rashid is one of the best-informed observers on the subject of Islamic terrorism and Pakistan. Claiming there is no proof of Pakistani instigation of terrorism against India is the kind of absurdity that even intelligent pro-Pakistani observers no longer bother with. But then, it is hardly surprising that you adopt such a boneheaded argument. If you have no idea even of elementary English syntax one can harldy expect an informed argument from you. Just take a look at your strange contorted second paragraph...! Get an education. It is not too late. Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 7	But remember that India has nuclear weapons as well, and it has the ability to inflict punishment on Pakistan covertly and overtly, to raise the costs to Pakistan of supporting terrorist violence in India. There is no question of being "brothers" with Pakistan, a terrorist state, with or without Kashmir being solved. FYI, there was quite a lot of firing across the border in 2002; the withdrawal had a lot to do with a combination of American pressure and Indian naivete at the political level. India won't bow to terrorism in support of a movement( Kashmir) based on religious hatred and ethno-chauvinism, nuclear weapons or no weapons. So keep the terrorist attacks coming Mike. Have fun, see how far it gets you, jerk! Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA
Nov 08, 2005 12:00 AM 8	A well-deserved criticism of the Indian government's lack of backbone as far as dealing with Pakistan is concerned. Time and again, India has either been caught with its pants down and subjected to surprise terrorist attacks or it has crumbled in the face of US pressure and backed down from acting tough with the Pakis. When will India finally understand that Musharraf is merely a more urbane and media-friendly version of other Pakistani military leaders? India needs to send a tough message that it will not tolerate the Paki sponsored terroristy attacks. The height of India's folly was opening the LOC and actually donating money to the Pakis - militant groups must still be struggling to believe that the Indian government could be as senile as that. Rustam Roy London, UK
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 9	Pompous Vile writes: >>But then, it is hardly surprising that you adopt such a boneheaded argument. If you have no idea even of elementary English syntax one can harldy expect an informed argument from you. "harldy," indeed. Your sentence should read, “If you have no IDEA OF EVEN (you transposed two prior words, dingleberry) elementary English syntax, one can [hardly] expect an informed argument from you.” In addition to your pompous syntax, erroneous spelling, you also lay a semantic egg. Stripped entirely of its dull syntax and even duller semantics, the sentence reads, “Since you can’t construct a simple sentence, it’s foolish to expect an informed argument from you.” By the way, adoption is for kittens, puppies and babies. I don’t adopt arguments; I make them. Pompous Vile’s writing style results in “I peregrinated among the flowerets that flounced the orangery, sniffing the saccharine ventilation of the vernal equinox” when people with fewer mental problems would say “I walked through the garden that bordered the garden, sniffing the sweet airs of spring.” The Tower of London awaits for Crimes against the Queen’s English. Deflating a hot air balloon is fun, ain’t it? Finally, "extinguishment of the illumination upon eggressing the chamber is requested." i.e. turn off the light before your ass leaves the room. >>Just take a look at your strange contorted second paragraph...! It’s bit challenging since I wrote it in invisible ink However, for the benefit of your eagle eyes, here’s my response: “Is Rashid reputable across the board or conveniently just for this single issue? I seek evidence of congruity in reasoning if the Chinese come down the mountains (again) for provoking them by indulging and harboring "terrorists" like the Dalai Lama whose "desire" for an independent Tibet threatens the territorial integrity of China from time immemorial” That’s one paragraph. Not two. It’s a pretty good imitation of your pompous style and it denudes your argument with India in Pakistan's place and China in India's place. >>Get an education. It is not too late. Get a pair of glasses and get a clue Old Mac ???, United States
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 10	Old Mac: A few lines from me are enough to set you off into such a long, pathetically contorted and confused outburst....Alas, poor Mac ! So much ineffective work... Thomas Nile London, United Kingdom
Nov 09, 2005 12:00 AM 11	Actually, it's very interesting that China doesn't suffer from any terrorism, considering the amount of political repression that goes on there. It goes against the theory, so vigourously propagated after the World trade centre attack, that terrorism can often be explained as a response to highly authoritarian governments. In Tibet,China has colonized the place with Han settlers, denied provincial democracy, and maintains a large military presence- yet there hasn't been an act of militancy in decades. China has also officially outlawed the Falun Gong organization, which has no history of violence- yet that act of banning hasn't produced the opposite reaction of violence and terrorism. Well, it( terrorism as a response to repression) is just a theory! Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA
Nov 11, 2005 12:00 AM 12	Varun: I think China's "advantage" is that human rights are no consideration at all as far as dealing with any crimes against the state is concerned. The 'Independent' newspaper in the UK recently published a very interesting article on the occasion of the Chinese Chairman Hu's visit. China is absolutely ruthless towards its own citizens, thousands of whom get executed every year without due judicial process or any sort of legal representation, for a whole raft of offences ranging from corruption to violent offences. Needless to say, a huge number of these people are innocent. Moreover, reports from within China are heavily censored and almost everything which is negative is withheld from publication. There may be no terrorism, but look at the human cost. Personally, I am glad that India did not go down the totalitarian way. Rustam Roy London, UK
Nov 12, 2005 12:00 AM 13	Sounds good, Rustam.That's a very interesting way of looking at it. India's messy, chaotic democracy is better, at the very least for itself, than China's totalitarianism, which wouldn't work in India in any case. Suffice it to say that if India, Vietnam or Thailand were supporting the kind of sadistic terror that Pakistan is perpetrating in India, they would be hearing from China. Varun Shekhar Toronto, CANADA

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