By Priyashree Andley
Before leaving India for the UN General Assembly Meeting in New York on 29 September 2013, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh confirmed that he would be meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during his visit to the US. The Indian PM looks forward to bilateral meetings with leaders of neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Just as these bilateral talks and hand shakes are being planned in New York, the recent news about militant attacks on a police station in Jammu region bring us back to the same question about coping with increased attacks from across the border. Will the two leaders be able to discuss the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan? Can it figure prominently in the meeting between Singh and Sharif?
India has maintained that terrorist attacks from safe havens in Pakistan and territories held under its control are a matter of concern. Sujatha Singh, Foreign Secretary, has also stated that we continue to face acts of terrorism by groups operating from Pakistan and territories under its control. Moreover, there are also many persons engaging in hostile propaganda, who continue to roam freely in neighbouring territories. Despite repeated commitments from the highest level in Pakistan and very positive statements, there is very little progress in efforts to punish those responsible for the Mumbai attacks. These are the harsh realities as stated by the foreign secretary.
As per news reports, the heavily-armed militants dressed in Army attire attacked a police station in Kathua, in Jammu killing seven people, including five policemen, before targeting an Army camp in Samba. This terror strike has taken place on the eve of the meeting between the two PMs. Police have informed that three militants entered the Hiranagar Police Station early morning on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and indiscriminately fired after a grenade attack. Five cops, including an assistant sub-inspector, were killed and another policeman was injured in the attack that also left two civilians dead. As per the police reports, these militants boarded a truck on the highway and forced its driver to move towards Jammu. The militants stopped the vehicle near the gate of an Army camp in Sambha, 40 kms from Kathua and attacked the camp. According to initial reports, two to three Army jawans were injured in the firing, who later barged into the Army camp followed by a heavy gun-battle.
Whether these attacks derail or affect the meeting of the two leaders is yet to be seen. However, politics is also another factor that can affect the talks as the BJP leaders strongly oppose this meeting on the fringes of the UNGA. What multiple parties and political leaders need to discuss at these summits is what is better for national safety and security. We need to be aware that peace processes can become strategies that can be deployed by conflicting parties in order to pursue their political/economic goals.
So should leaders encourage negotiated settlement or leave a conflict to find its own military conclusion? Doesnt this increase the role of external mediation in stopping wars, because it is so difficult for the warring parties, on their own, to commit to a negotiated settlement?
An independent analyst and focuses on International Relations, Foreign Policy and Current Affairs. She has several years of experience working in both the public and private sector. Her research has taken her across India with publications appearing in national as well as international media. Priyashree is a Felix Scholar from SOAS, London and has degrees from JNU and St. Stephens College, Delhi.