By Chathushka Perera
Istanbul, Pakistan (CWBN)_ Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, said that India is facing threats from two fronts, and that China and Pakistan are on a “mission” against India, referencing the recent military actions taken by the country’s neighbours to the north and west. The three states have been in a state of tension since the Indo-Pakistani War (1947-1948) and the Sino-Indian War (1962).
Indian media reported several videos depicting the “unprovoked” firing of artillery shells by Pakistani forces over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) earlier this month. The cross-border skirmishes in Jammu-Kashmir have resulted in the deaths of civilian and military personnel on both sides of the border. The Indian government however stated that the number of infiltration attempts by Pakistani forces have reduced this year.
“Indian minister’s statement demonstrates an inexcusable lack of self-awareness of RSS-BJP(Indian ruling party) regime’s self-serving narrative. It is also another manifestation of the Indian government’s incurable obsession with Pakistan,” stated Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesman, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, yesterday.
He further condemned India’s attempts to erode Pakistan’s close relationship with China through propaganda, and the international community must be aware of the politically opportunistic nationlist government. A similar tone was taken up by the Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, adding that Pakistan has called for an immediate gathering of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The decision was found on the Indian decision to strip away Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy a few months ago.
He further stated that the UNSC has a responsibility to “prevent the recurrence of another Srebrenica and Rwanda”, referencing ethnic cleansing that occured in Bosnia and Rwanda in 1995 and 1994 respectively.
Tensions took a severe turn along the LAC in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh, as well, earlier this year (June), a conflict was triggered between Chinese and Indian troops manning the ill-defined borders, armed with clubs and rocks, as per a 45 year long cease-fire agreement.
The Indian Government claimed that Chinese troops dug trenches, propped up tents and moved heavy equipment into territory held by Indian military forces. Accusations have also been levied against the Indian Government for the construction of a road leading to a high-altitude air base, an action similar to that by China triggering the war of 1962. Twenty Indian casualties, including that of an officer, have been reported, whereas China has failed to officially admit any fatalities. The actual cause for the violence remains at large.
It is quite uncertain whether relations between the three nuclear armed states would improve any time soon, leaving anxieties at an all-time high this year. Adding to it, the escalating Covid-19 pandemic has hit India with considerable potency, with over 18% of the population infected and more than fatalities 110,000 reported.
Edited by Elishya Perera
