The invitation to India as a ‘guest of honour’ by United Arab Emirates (UAE) that hosts the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Conclave to be held on 1st March indicates the success of this BJP-led Central Government’s foreign policy. This offer creates a platform to put subtly but effectively India’s stand on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism to the Islamic countries. This is the first time after a long gap, India has been invited to OIC. With the backdrop of Pulwama-soldiers terror attack, with escalating tensions between the two- countries (Indo-Pak), this is an opportunity for India to seize and to put forth her (India’s) point of view to the Islamic world. India got this chance after fifty years of humiliation as it was literally thrown out at Pakistan’s insistence from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Moroccan Capital Rabat in 1969.
The entire credit for the invite goes to Narendra Modi government for its improved ties with the Islamic nations right from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia and also with countries like Qatar and Oman. These partnerships converge in security, economic and political ties. India has a strong bilateral ties with UAE and an extradition treaty to handover economic offenders/fugitives running out of India to UAE. That’s how India got back Christian Michel of -AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case who is lodged now in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam.
The geographic factors, economic factors and strategic factors dictate a country’s foreign policy. Geographically, our country cannot change its neighbor Pakistan. Pakistan is always a pain in the neck. That country has a grouse on India since the time of its inception. Kashmir seems to be an alibi. The growth and development of India is an eye-sore to Pakistan. And China’s sole strategy is to contain India in the region in anyway.
India has to keep in mind that a war with Pakistan is a war with China. Limited attacks would definitely escalate and mount up tensions. From Pulwama incident, India should learn lessons: that it should always be vigilant in the Valley and also to an extent in the rest of country for such Fidayeen attacks. It should gear up its intelligence to a higher degree. Internationally, Pakistan should be isolated, which anyhow the government has been doing. Though the war-mongering is understandable in the present situation, it should be kept in view that it costs dearly to our country and it impedes progress and development and it throws the country into the clutches of poverty.
To avenge Pulwama, the BJP government is fit to take action, at least next time round, when it comes to power. For the party is nationalistic, it could strategize and execute covert operations if needed whereas the other parties have no such gumption. These covert ones need time and strategic mechanization. Pakistan is hitting hard India by backdoor methods and heinous acts. It needs to be answered in the same coin. Pulwama attack happened as India was complacent at that point of time though the intelligence sent feelers. Somehow, it could not connect the dots. It should be our turn to retaliate on Pakistan, when Pakistan is complacent and is enjoying its me-moment in future. For one attack of Pakistan, a counter one of such nature, is the only answer.
Days of resilience are over. India cannot sit as a lame duck any more. All the Islamic countries are not in one voice. Iran is clearly against Pakistan. America requires Pakistan now for a short time, for its troops withdrawal from Afghanistan and to negotiate a dialogue with the Taliban. So, once Taliban agrees to American conditionality and is set-free to rule, Pakistan gets again emboldened. Their combined vengeful ire would be on India to free Kashmir. So, India needs preparedness for all these contingencies.
Hopefully, Sushma Swaraj’s presence at the OIC plenary may give different perspective on J&K and Pakistan to the Islamic Heads, as she is a seasoned politician and an articulate speaker. The opening-up of OIC to India, in itself, is a good sign of achievement.
