The Hindu : Front Page : “Four competing centres of influence in Pakistan”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008
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“Four competing centres of influence in Pakistan”

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: India’s new war doctrine obviated the need for marching thousands of troops from distant cantonments to the border as was the case during ‘Operation Parakram,’ the troop build-up that took place after the Parliament House attack in December 2001.

Sources here said this was because the Army now relied on the doctrine of ‘Cold Start,’ under which troops would be rushed to the border to link up with those already there, instead of the slow and steady accumulation of firepower and men that used to take place earlier.

The sources said India recognised that there were at least four competing centres of influence in Pakistan – the democratically elected government led by Asif Ali Zardari, the Army, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the jehadi elements. “Today each is trying to influence the course of the nation. Sometimes, some of them may converge. On other occasions, they may clash,” they said.

“If you compare the situation with some years back, a certain maturity has come about in India-Pakistan relations. We are talking to each other and not at each other. Both sides have opened multiple channels of communication. The results have also been there – there is a whole catalogue of developments including the ceasefire that is more or less holding and the cross-Line of Control trade,” they said.

“We are very clear on having a peaceful neighbourhood. It is of critical importance. We have made continuous efforts to have peace and tranquillity with all our neighbours and then move to cooperative relations. This holds true for Nepal, Bangladesh and till pre-November 26 with Pakistan,” added the sources.

On the cricket tour, the sources said, an advance team would be sent to assess the security situation.

“That team has not yet visited Pakistan. A formal decision has not been taken. As of today, no decision has been taken,” they said. In normal circumstances, the tour might have taken place but presently “we cannot be sure.”

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