09-27-2006, 07:46 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Pakistan fount of terror </b>
Pioneer.com
Pranab Mukherjee
Islamabad may have helped Washington but has done little to end cross-border terrorism
Several developments in the 20th century, with their roots in imperial history, have affected India's traditional relationships with its neighbourhood. Perhaps the most fateful was the partition of India. Viewed from this perspective, it can be argued that the first half of 20th century was an aberration in the evolution of India's historical and traditional relationship with the outside world.
The historical experience of the British East India Company, and imperialism in general, left India suspicious of foreign trade. Following India's independence, this led to efforts to build a self-reliant and autarkic economy, wary of deeper engagement with the world economy.
The model stood us in good stead for a while. It helped set up a robust technical and industrial base. Self-reliance gave us self-confidence. This provided the base for the accelerated growth and increasing globalisation of the Indian economy since the early 90s when sweeping reforms were adopted by the then Congress Government.
While the growing economic strength of India has attracted worldwide attention, this endeavour is still a work in process. India's major priority today is economic growth, which is inclusive and benefits all sections of society. For most of its history, India has been an open society and an open economy.
This is the path it wishes to pursue in the future. India's aspiration for continuing economic growth would depend on a secure and stable environment and its own ability to integrate with the global economy. In the broad context of this nation-building endeavour, let me touch upon some of our principal security challenges.
The first is the challenge of terrorism. India has suffered the most gruesome and repeated acts of terror since the late 1970s - first in Punjab, then in J&K and many other parts of our country. The Bombay blasts of 1993 were the original act of mass terrorism.
India's places of worship, symbols of its rapid economic growth, its prestigious centres of learning, popular shopping complexes and symbols of its vibrant democracy have all been systematically targeted. While in most places terrorism is perpetrated by non-state actors, in India it is sponsored and supported by state agencies from a hostile neighbourhood.
Second, since its independence, India has had to fight three wars on its western borders and one in the north. It continues to face a proxy war from across its western border. Its unresolved territorial and boundary issues with neighbours persist.
Third, India has been placed in an arc of proliferation activity running from east to west, which has had an adverse impact on our security situation. The possibility of linkages between proliferation of WMDs and terrorism, which has emerged in recent years, is of great concern for us.
Fourth, the fragile political fabric of states in India's neighbourhood is a source of continuing anxiety. Pakistan remains a nursery of global terrorism. Post-9/11, Pakistan has reportedly helped the United States to fight terrorism in Afghanistan. But it has done precious little to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its eastern border with India.
Many terrorists roam freely in Pakistan. India has repeatedly stated that, in order to proceed with the peace-process between the two countries, Pakistan must implement the solemn assurances it has given to stop all cross-border terrorism. This has not yet happened.
On India's northern border, Nepal has been ravaged by Maoist insurgency for many years. Mounting religious extremism in Bangladesh, coupled with illegal migrations, is a source of considerable concern for India. In Sri Lanka, the ethnic strife has grave political, economic and humanitarian ramifications for India.
Thus, developments in these states may pose risks to India and undermine the stable and peaceful environment that India seeks for its own economic growth.
Fifth, India sits astride the Indian Ocean. The security of the entire region from East Africa to South-East Asia is increasingly challenged by the rising incidence of violent conflict, growing fundamentalism and terrorism. It is also affected by trafficking in arms, drugs, human beings and piracy. 60,000 ships carry merchandise and energy from the Gulf to East Asia, through Straits of Malacca, every year. Maritime security is thus a major preoccupation for India.
Sixth, with the Indian economy set on a higher growth trajectory, its demand for energy is increasing rapidly. In this context, energy security and security of sea-lanes of communication, on which India's trade is dependent, assume significance.
To meet these challenges, India has been focusing on inclusive economic development, strengthening of its defence to deter aggression; ensuring peace in the region; developing friendly and mutually beneficial ties in its extended neighbourhood.
India's vision of South Asia is of a peaceful and prosperous region where its neighbours see it as an economic opportunity and a partner in progress.
<i>- (Excerpted from the Union Defence Minister's lecture at Harvard University on September 25, 2006) </i><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pioneer.com
Pranab Mukherjee
Islamabad may have helped Washington but has done little to end cross-border terrorism
Several developments in the 20th century, with their roots in imperial history, have affected India's traditional relationships with its neighbourhood. Perhaps the most fateful was the partition of India. Viewed from this perspective, it can be argued that the first half of 20th century was an aberration in the evolution of India's historical and traditional relationship with the outside world.
The historical experience of the British East India Company, and imperialism in general, left India suspicious of foreign trade. Following India's independence, this led to efforts to build a self-reliant and autarkic economy, wary of deeper engagement with the world economy.
The model stood us in good stead for a while. It helped set up a robust technical and industrial base. Self-reliance gave us self-confidence. This provided the base for the accelerated growth and increasing globalisation of the Indian economy since the early 90s when sweeping reforms were adopted by the then Congress Government.
While the growing economic strength of India has attracted worldwide attention, this endeavour is still a work in process. India's major priority today is economic growth, which is inclusive and benefits all sections of society. For most of its history, India has been an open society and an open economy.
This is the path it wishes to pursue in the future. India's aspiration for continuing economic growth would depend on a secure and stable environment and its own ability to integrate with the global economy. In the broad context of this nation-building endeavour, let me touch upon some of our principal security challenges.
The first is the challenge of terrorism. India has suffered the most gruesome and repeated acts of terror since the late 1970s - first in Punjab, then in J&K and many other parts of our country. The Bombay blasts of 1993 were the original act of mass terrorism.
India's places of worship, symbols of its rapid economic growth, its prestigious centres of learning, popular shopping complexes and symbols of its vibrant democracy have all been systematically targeted. While in most places terrorism is perpetrated by non-state actors, in India it is sponsored and supported by state agencies from a hostile neighbourhood.
Second, since its independence, India has had to fight three wars on its western borders and one in the north. It continues to face a proxy war from across its western border. Its unresolved territorial and boundary issues with neighbours persist.
Third, India has been placed in an arc of proliferation activity running from east to west, which has had an adverse impact on our security situation. The possibility of linkages between proliferation of WMDs and terrorism, which has emerged in recent years, is of great concern for us.
Fourth, the fragile political fabric of states in India's neighbourhood is a source of continuing anxiety. Pakistan remains a nursery of global terrorism. Post-9/11, Pakistan has reportedly helped the United States to fight terrorism in Afghanistan. But it has done precious little to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its eastern border with India.
Many terrorists roam freely in Pakistan. India has repeatedly stated that, in order to proceed with the peace-process between the two countries, Pakistan must implement the solemn assurances it has given to stop all cross-border terrorism. This has not yet happened.
On India's northern border, Nepal has been ravaged by Maoist insurgency for many years. Mounting religious extremism in Bangladesh, coupled with illegal migrations, is a source of considerable concern for India. In Sri Lanka, the ethnic strife has grave political, economic and humanitarian ramifications for India.
Thus, developments in these states may pose risks to India and undermine the stable and peaceful environment that India seeks for its own economic growth.
Fifth, India sits astride the Indian Ocean. The security of the entire region from East Africa to South-East Asia is increasingly challenged by the rising incidence of violent conflict, growing fundamentalism and terrorism. It is also affected by trafficking in arms, drugs, human beings and piracy. 60,000 ships carry merchandise and energy from the Gulf to East Asia, through Straits of Malacca, every year. Maritime security is thus a major preoccupation for India.
Sixth, with the Indian economy set on a higher growth trajectory, its demand for energy is increasing rapidly. In this context, energy security and security of sea-lanes of communication, on which India's trade is dependent, assume significance.
To meet these challenges, India has been focusing on inclusive economic development, strengthening of its defence to deter aggression; ensuring peace in the region; developing friendly and mutually beneficial ties in its extended neighbourhood.
India's vision of South Asia is of a peaceful and prosperous region where its neighbours see it as an economic opportunity and a partner in progress.
<i>- (Excerpted from the Union Defence Minister's lecture at Harvard University on September 25, 2006) </i><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->