Cooperation not coercion will work

SIGNALS emanating from New Delhi indicate that counselling by friendly countries have had some sober impact on the hawks who had been all out for a show of military might after the November, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. This is reflective from the statement of Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who from the day one had been hurling threatening statements and demanding the handover of the alleged perpetrators of the crime to India, saying that they could be tried in Pakistan.

Softening of threatening posture in the Indian policy has come after major international powers, including China, United Kingdom and perhaps the United States persuaded it to adopt a reasonable approach on the dangerous issue which could put the entire region into turmoil. No sovereign country can submit to coercion of any big power when it comes to its dignity and honour as issues can only be resolved through cooperation and diplomacy and not war. British Foreign Secretary on Wednesday refused to second the Indian demand for the handing over of people and categorically stated that his country supports the prosecution of those involved in Mumbai attacks in their own country as they broke the law of that country. This was vindication of Pakistan’s viewpoint as right from the beginning it had repeatedly stated to take action according to law of the land if concrete proof was provided by India. It went to the extent of offering a joint investigation into the terrorist attack but for reasons best known to New Delhi, this offer has not received a positive response. Another intriguing aspect of the Mumbai episode has come to fore that Anita Uddajya who claimed to have seen six terrorists, told PTI that she was taken to the United States by investigating agencies for questioning while Mumbai police was not aware of this and had stated that their key witness had disappeared. This and other aspects of the tragedy including the local support to the terrorists needed thorough probe, which could be done through joint investigation by the two countries. Revelation by Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik regarding arrest of about 124 activists of the banned Jamaatud Daawa including its chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, action against 20 offices, 87 schools, two libraries, seven religious schools and websites linked to the banned organisation was a proof of Pakistan’s sincerity to act swiftly as soon as India provided the information. A high-level committee is already reviewing the information shared by India and those named would be investigated to get to the bottom of the conspiracy that led to the killing of innocent people and brought the two countries to the brink of a dangerous conflict. We believe that realization has dawned in New Delhi that the issue can best be resolved through cooperation and not coercion and this path would be followed with sincerity to bring the culprits to justice.