IDN TAKE: Congress Party And Its Funny Pakistan Policy

Image: MapsofIndia

by Brigadier Arun Bajpai (Retd)

It is common knowledge that the Kashmir problem is a self goal by Nehru who in order to be recognised as a world statesman and a man of peace went to UN Security council against the advice of the Indian Army as also lot big wig Indian politicians, just at the time when India was poised to launch its final offensive against a defeated and fatigued Pakistani Army which was falling back. The current Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) consisting of basically Gilgit and Baltistan would have been under India’s control had Nehru listened to the advice of the Indian army. What was the tearing hurry for the Nehru to rush to UN Security Council where British were just waiting to trap India in getting involved in Kashmir problem is something which needs further research that must be done? This probably is the only case in the military history of the world where a winning country squandered its advantage just at the whim of its top leader.

OK let us accept the fact that Nehru, due to his inexperience on matters strategic with military overview made a mistake for which nation must pardon him .However what is inexplicable is that after this initial mistake why did Cong government which ruled this country for almost 60 years and even NDA Government of Mr. AB Bajpai that ruled the country for the duration 1999 to 2004 did not set right the defense policies followed by India towards Pakistan. Credit must go to the Modi Government who after initially continuing with the same weak and defensive Pakistan policy has now changed gear and has literally put Pakistan on the back foot and isolated it internationally.

Some of the major flaws in our Pakistan policy were as follows:

· Having gone to UN and after UN security council ruling that Pakistan must withdraw all its forces from POK, followed by India and then referendum to be held, why did we not insist that Pakistan must vacate POK ?

· Pakistan having not vacated POK and we rightly claimed that erstwhile Maharaja of J&K Hari Singh having decided for India in Oct 1947 so the entire J&K state is part of India, why did we no clamor that POK is illegally occupied by Pakistan? We could have opened another front in 1965 or 1971 Indo-Pak wars to capture POK. Why did we hand over Haji-Pir Pass to Pakistan that we captured in 1965 Indo-Pak war ? This was rightfully our territory?

· Pakistan in the 60s ceded to China 5000 sq km Shaksgam Valley which was part of POK. why did we not raise a ruckus in UN since Pakistan just cannot do it this being an international disputed area ?This helped china build Karakorum highway.

· Currently China is investing 46 billion dollars in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which enters Pakistan via POK why are we comparatively silent? How can china build its CPEC through disputed territory?

· After our success in 1971 Indo-Pak war with 90000 Pakistani prisoners in our hand how come Congress government of Indira Gandhi released them without gaining anything substantial from Pakistan? It has also being reported that Pakistan is still keeping 70 Indian Armed forces prisoners hidden in Pakistan of 1971 war vintage?

· During Kargil war Indian armed forces were instructed by the Bajpai government that under no circumstances they will cross the LOC. Why? If Pakistanis could cross the LOC and come in our area in Kargil why we must have these restrictions?

The root cause of all these problems is that Indian netas do not take strategic advice from Armed forces whose bread and butter is strategy. They take advice from the clueless and petty Babus. That is why we are always at receiving end. Time has come when Indian political masters repose more faith in Armed forces and take their advice. Towards this end, Chief of Defence staff system which has been lying sanctioned since 2003 must be implemented. Apart from giving single window advice to our political masters, he will also be coordinating the functioning of the three services.

Brig Arun Bajpai (Retd) is a distinguished Defense and Strategic Analyst. Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDN.

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