Past in Perspective

On the occasion of the Indian Independence day, let us reflect on the precarious relations we share with this neighbour of ours. We stand somewhere between seeing India as a friend and a foe. The memories of the skirmishes of 1965, 1971 and 1999 have become an inseparable part of our national history. Moreover, while the bone of contention in the shape of the long-standing Kashmir issue still exists between India and Pakistan, expectations for amicable relations are very low. In 2008, the Indian government made a blatant claim that the Mumbai attack had been conspired in Pakistan. Delhi claimed that Pakistani militants had orchestrated the attack on the Indian air base in Pathankot earlier this year. India has been going too far with its accusations, refusing to reflect upon the atrocities it is itself inflicting upon innocent civilians in Kashmir. Many argue that a cheap tactic that the Indian government is using to divert Pakistan’s attention from the happenings of Kashmir is that it is creating disruptions in Balochistan. The chief minister of Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri claims that the Indian Intelligence agency, RAW is behind the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan.

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