ISLAMABAD – Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are back to a cold war like situation with the dialogue process between the two neighbours taking a back seat, thanks to irresponsible Indian attitude, Hindu extremism and expansionist designs.
The two major South Asian powers that have fought three wars and were on the brink of a nuclear war in 1999 are back to 'Cold war' like situation following series of irresponsible statements by the Indian Prime Minister and Indian Army Chief.
Pakistan perceived the Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor's yesterday's statement as a warning for nuclear war. Deepak said on Monday "A limited war under a nuclear overhang is still very much a reality, at least in the Indian sub-continent."
Pakistan perceived the Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor's yesterday's statement as a warning for nuclear war. Deepak said on Monday "A limited war under a nuclear overhang is still very much a reality, at least in the Indian sub-continent."
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that these remarks only reaffirm India's dangerous and offensive nuclear doctrine.
India has long been working on the so-called 'Cold Start' strategy and preparing for a limited war against Pakistan. General Kapoor's statement confirms the hegemonic thrust of India's nuclear doctrine, Abdul Basit said on Tuesday.
"The international community should take notice of General Kapoor's remarks and India's long-term intentions", Basit suggested.
"The international community should take notice of General Kapoor's remarks and India's long-term intentions", Basit suggested.
He also said that Pakistan is fully capable of safeguarding its national sovereignty and defending its borders. However, as a responsible country, we will continue promoting peace and stability in South Asia on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The "peace process" between the two countries came to a halt after the 26/11 terror strikes in the Indian business capital Mumbai. Since 26/11, dialogue process has not resumed despite several sincere attempts from Pakistan. The heads of state of India and Pakistan have met twice. During the talks between Indian and Pakistani premiers Manmohan Singh and Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, the two countries came out with a joint statement de-linking dialogue with terrorism and including the Balochistan issue. This generated hope that the two countries would restart the dialogue process.
However, to the shock and disappointment of peace-loving Pakistanis, India has is dragging the sub-continent back to 'cold war' era, many think.
According to experts, the joint India-Pakistan statement came under sharp criticism from the Indian opposition parties, especially right wing Hindu party BJP, who felt that the Balochistan reference and de-linking terrorism from dialogue process was a 'defeat' of Indian diplomacy.
Following sharp criticism and after being cornered at the home-turf, the Indian Government hardened its stand vis-a-vis resumption of dialogue process with Pakistan and linked the restart of peace process with Pakistan's action against 'terrorist elements'.
Pakistan has several times conveyed to India that the stalling of dialogue process between the two countries is benefiting the terrorists.
The 'cold war' like situation between India and Pakistan will not be in the interest of any of the two countries. Instead it gives an opportunity to extremist elements to prove that 'force' is the only relevant means to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries, many think
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