As the nation struggles to come to terms with the horrific Pahalgam incident, all eyes are on the response from the Indian government As expected its focus of action is Pakistan. Undoubtedly the incident has sprung from across the Pak border and strongest possible response needs to be given, but knee jerk reactions like suspension of the Indus water treaty is to be avoided. The treaty has withstood 3 wars and has benefited the people from both sides. The international community put in the huge amount which neither country could afford at that time. Much of Malawa region of Indian Punjab and Rajasthan turned green and Pakistan was assured of its survival. India still doesn’t have any storage infrastructure on the 3 western rivers and treaty or no treaty water will flow down the Karakoram. The reciprocal suspension of the Shimla agreement has nullified 50 years of efforts to make the Kashmir issue bilateral and not international. Other responses like suspending visas and trade though symbolic are necessary to convey the seriousness of the situation. War cries are being made by all sections, but a weak Pakistan government has made terror a cottage industry and weakening it further would incentivize the industry more. Islamabad may no longer be able to restrain these terror groups. Post its withdrawal from Afghanistan US may not have enough stakes in the region to intervene but China may use the opportunity to further infiltrate into Pakistan military establishment. We may end up facing Chinese forces on both fronts. What is missing though is the healing the nation requires. The prime minister is busy electioneering in Bihar and the all party meeting was left to the politically insignificant defence minister. How would it win the confidence of the opposition. Communal tension is rife with the right wing Hindutva forces determined to make it a rally against Indian Muslims. Kashmiri students are being abused in universities. The government needs to address these problems first.
Heal before war
