India and Pakistan on Brink of War as Terrorist Groups Continue to Operate

Strategic Insights -

India's defense minister, George Fernandes, stated that Pakistan's efforts to crack down on Islamic militant groups fighting India in Kashmir have been illusory and ineffective in reducing terrorist violence. The arrests of militant group members were intended to mislead the United States, Fernandes claimed. India is waiting to see if diplomatic efforts will succeed in getting Pakistan to take effective action against the groups, with the United States and Britain having listed them as terrorist outfits. The Indian government has left open the possibility of a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of a regional conference in Katmandu, Nepal.

Key Takeaways:

  • India's defense minister, George Fernandes, claims that Pakistan's efforts to crack down on Islamic militant groups have been ineffective.
  • The arrests of militant group members were intended to mislead the United States, Fernandes stated.
  • India is waiting to see if diplomatic efforts will succeed in getting Pakistan to take effective action against the groups.
  • The Indian government has left open the possibility of a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of a regional conference in Katmandu, Nepal.
  • India has accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, while Pakistan has joined the international coalition backing American action in Afghanistan.
  • India maintains that those accused of attacking Parliament have been given sanctuary in Pakistan.
  • India has contingency plans for various military actions against Pakistan if diplomacy fails, but Fernandes refused to discuss specifics.
  • India does not believe Pakistan would use its nuclear arsenal in a conflict, citing potential devastating consequences.
  • The British prime minister, Tony Blair, is due to visit the region in the next few days to urge India and Pakistan to pull back from the brink of war.

Statistics:

  • 20 terrorist and criminal suspects on a new list demanded to be handed over for trial by India,
  • 5 bodies of the suicide squad members recovered from the scene of the Parliament attack,
  • Dozens of wireless intercepts between militant groups and their Pakistan-based headquarters picked up by India,
  • 2 people killed and 16 injured in a grenade attack on a police convoy near the main gate of the legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir,
  • Hundreds of thousands of men mobilized by India along the border with Pakistan (exact number not specified),
  • 54 years of conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir,

Sources:

  • George Fernandes's statement to the press,
  • Statement of President Bush praising General Musharraf for moving against militant groups,
  • Statement of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to the region to urge India and Pakistan to pull back from the brink of war.