The U.S. operation that led to the killing of Al-Qadea leader Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad earlier this week has stirred a hornet’s nest. While details of the operation continue to pour in each day, the sentiment that “Pakistan has some explaining to do” is gaining force. Pakistan’s Ambassador to U.S. Husain Haqqani, has appeared on more television shows that I can count and attempted to defend Pakistan. Though I may disagree with his analysis, I am much impressed by his diplomatic abilities. After all diplomacy, even in the age of nuclear weapons, is the best tool to defend a country’s interests. This led me to explore India’s diplomatic response to Operation Osama and the larger issue of fighting terrorism in the region. While there is much discussion within the country on how should India deal with the situation, here is a list of diplomatic do’s and don’ts for India.
1. Avoid using “we told you so” phrase. India is not going to gain any points for telling the Americans something that their intelligence agencies know better than the Indians. Moreover, India’s insistence will not lead to political acceptance of this fact to a degree that can turn around U.S. policy with regard to Pakistan. If U.S. chooses to change its Pakistan policy, it will be simply because U.S. wants to do so rather than on India insistence.
2. Don’t attempt to appear saintly by saying “we understand Pakistan’s challenges.” This could be a huge domestic public diplomacy mistake.
4. Don’t expect that increased trade, cultural and sporting links will stimulate pro-India feelings in Pakistan. Pakistan’s liberal community may genuinely desire friendly relations with India but the political influence of this community is unfortunately limited.
1. Do justice in 26/11 case by punishing Ajmal Kasab. There is no point in asking Pakistan to hand over Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim or speculating on possibility of special operations to access them when ‘a terrorist caught during an act of terror’ is being used as a poster boy for Indian democracy and justice system. India should have got all intel from Kasab within a few months and sentenced him through a speedy trail. The political leadership needs to show some backbone in punishing terrorists before claiming to deal with the phenomenon of terrorism.
2. Explicitly and publicly distinguish between conflict resolution and peace. India is currently engaged in a process of addressing contentious issues with Pakistan and peaceful relations may or may not follow. India-Pakistan talks are not a reflection of peaceful relations but a necessity imposed by geo-strategic realpolitik; avoid inflating hopes. India and Pakistan are talking not because they believe in the peace dividend but have no other option.
3. Make clear that the challenge of terrorism facing the country is not coterminous with the problem of Kashmir. Pakistan’s low intensity conflict in J&K in the late 1980s was referred to as Pakistan sponsored terrorism by India but the threat of terrorism has expanded much beyond. Resolution of Kashmir and countering Pakistan supported terrorism are two different (though broadly related) issues. Solution of J&K will not automatically defuse the terrorist threat for India.
4. Get certain priorities straight. Comprehend and absorb the fact that combating terrorism is not merely about threatening Pakistan but is also about convincing Indian citizens that they shall be protected. Though India’s relations with regional states and global powers are determining factors in policy responses to acts of terrorism, Indian state should consider citizens’ safety the top priority. Don’t over-work the structural variables in designing responses simply because terrorism is not an electoral issue in India.
5. Work towards evolving a policy that combines open dialogue with sufficient diplomatic pressure. India needs to realize that simply interacting, much like annulment of dialogue, is not a solution. Talks to improve trade relations and open road links are not the mechanisms to address the threat of terrorism from Pakistan. India should not stop working on exposing Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism (bilaterally and on international forums) simply because it may jeopardize trade talks or cultural interactions.
7. Expand the intelligence system (especially the HUMINT dimension) to gather information on the Pakistan supported terrorist network for the purposes of sharing with other countries and foiling attacks on Indian soil. If India can sneak under-cover agents into Pakistan with the same frequency with terrorists cross over into India, there is a good chance of frustrating the terror plans.
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