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Mixed messages

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The Indian Express Posted: Dec 04, 2008 at 0206 hrs IST
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External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s double take on Tuesday, suggesting that the use of military force against Pakistan was not under consideration only to backtrack a few hours later, underlines the UPA government’s utter incoherence in managing the consequences of the Mumbai aggression. The pressure on our leaders to say “a few words” to the ubiquitous TV crews is understandable. It is unacceptable, however, for senior ministers to make statements that are liable for misinterpretation, at home and abroad, in the middle of a crisis — especially when the crisis involves a nuclear-armed neighbour. In the current dangerous context shaping up between New Delhi and Islamabad any imprecise or incomplete formulation by the top leadership creates conditions for miscommunication, misperception and unwanted escalation.

From the moment the prime minister addressed the nation last Thursday, it was quite clear that India was contemplating a confrontation with Pakistan if it did not keep its word on denying its territory to anti-India Terror groups. Those who matter in Islamabad and the wide world beyond clearly understood what the PM meant by extracting a cost from Pakistan. They also recognised that the PM had left deliberately vague when, where and how India might choose to escalate. Much of the South Asian crisis diplomacy unfolding this week, with the top US diplomat, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and its top soldier, Admiral Mike Mullen, travelling to India and Pakistan, is about managing the space between India’s current restraint in the face of the Mumbai provocation and its threat of retribution if Pakistan does not cooperate.

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Mukherjee threatened that delicate balance when he first seemed to rule out the military option and tried to undo the damage a few hours later by ruling it in. If the first statement undermined the credibility of the Indian threat to retaliate, without which there is no incentive for the world to put pressure on Islamabad to act purposefully, the second suggested India was rushing into a war with Pakistan. Given the gravity of the strategic challenge that confronts India after Mumbai and the nuclear shadow that hangs over the region, New Delhi must urgently gain a firm control over its public message to its friends and adversaries. Even minor errors in crisis communication could lead to major irretrievable losses in the very difficult campaign that India has embarked upon.

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View all Messages [ 7 ]
Accountability by Taraka on 2008-12-05 00:51:56.491426+05:30
It seems our politicians are utterly incapable of self restraint. Any chance of generating a few soundbites is utilized to the full extent. While watching the Mumbai attacks related coverage on CNN, i am struck with a comment made by some pundit. According to him, the while the private sector of India is highly efficient and dynamic, the public sector is highly inefficient and static. Whether you like it or not, there is truth in this argument. So what is the difference between the private and public sector? One important difference that i can think of is accountability. There should be somekind of accountability measure for the public sector (apart from elections, which is not a very good measure of accountability in reality) and a severe punishment for those who doesnt measure up.
Mixed up Messages by M.V.Muthu on 2008-12-04 22:36:15.269465+05:30
However hollow the inherent content and intent might be, one must say that the Pakistani leaders are far more forthright in the statements they make. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our own political leaders, especially when the issues are sensitive. This paints a very poor image at global level. When will our men in power learn?
Will Israel take it? by TV Puram on 2008-12-04 22:17:51.794137+05:30
PROBABLY, ISRAEL GOT THE EXCUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR- THE BRUTAL MASSACRE OF MUMBAI JEWS, SOME OF ITS SELF EFFACING, DECENT GROUPS.. AND, YESTERDAy'S REPORT BY THE CONNECTED US COMMITTEE INDICATING A TERRORIST WMD ATTACK WITHIN FIVE YEARS ORIGINATING FROM PAKISTAN CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE. WILL THE NERVOUS US FIRE AT PAK NUCLEAR FACILITIES FROM ISRAEL'S SHOULDERS? SERVES THEM RIGHT.
Nuclear Warfare by Ashis on 2008-12-04 20:54:11.338939+05:30
Each and every time we suggest a military intervention to counter terrorism, we make ourselves laughing stock. Both NDA and UPA tried this path. But India cannot go to war with a nuclear powered State. We a history and culture dating back to few millenia, while Pakis have nothing to sport. They are a poor nation, feed their populace out of doles. But they are prepared to make, what they call 'kurbani'! It is their only culture. Thus they could threaten us with nuclear bombs. India may only retaliate 'with mutually assured death'. I believe, our weapon is our moral strength. We should directly appeal to the citizens of the world. We should directly take on Islam. We should encourage muslims to reform their religion to reconcile with the 'kafirs'. The pity is that these extremists have held them hostage. It is the resposiblity of the world to unshackle them. I fail to understand what is Islam! Those ten people killed human beings just like bugs!
Nuclear radiation by Jatinder s Hoon on 2008-12-04 17:30:37.007084+05:30
These old senile Indian politicians, with no clue and guts.Time for them to go, before they disintegrate India.India is under attack, if these old goats can not see that, then resign.India is already under nuclear attack from Pakistan a very slow and dangerous radiation is spreading in the country, may be it has already infected the political elites and country security.
war mongers beware by Baba Handa on 2008-12-04 16:17:58.808244+05:30
Please stop this war mongering. You are doing far too much damage by playing on words of politicians and using them to justify what you feel should be India's course of action. In any event, I hope the government will not declare its intent through the media. Going to war is a strategic cum tactical decision and hopefully their options will be kept under wraps and not discussed with uninformed and over anxious journalists out to get a scoop, even if it is at the expense of their nation's well being.
UPA by ak on 2008-12-04 16:11:06.75207+05:30
Mr Gupta, don't woory with the response of this nonsense govt whose sole aim to usurp power at any cost and play sycophancy to a family whose capability to handle indian issues is itself doubtful. What happened in Mumbai was after a sequel of similar attacks across the length and breadth of the country in recent past. But this govt did nithing for fear of losing votebanks. They will not take any coherent measures even now; except some resignation drama, simply because of their incompetence and lack of nationalist feeling. They will contune to strive on votebanks of infiltrators, illiterate, etc.
View all Messages [ 7 ]
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