What Is Wrong with Mr. Kennedy's Stand on Kashmir

President Kennedy and Prime Minister Macmillan, have once again urged upon India and Pakistan a mediated settlement of the Kashmir problem. Their views in this regard are well-known, but to stick to then and reiterate them at a time when Pakistan’s intransigence has defined all negotiation-and when her leaders. Contrary to their understanding with the west, have preferred to hobnob with Communist China, entering into all sorts of treaties and pacts-sounds a little surprising. They seem to have either closed their eyes to all the misdeeds of Pakistan, or fallen a prey to her tactics of blackmail. Evidently this posture cannot impart strength and confidence to the forces throughout the world that are interested in containing the diabolical of Communism.

President Kennedy is reported to have side that United States would like to see India and Pakistan settle the Kashmir problem because in the US view that was the best way to depend the sub-continent against communism. Solution of any pending problem is always desirable, but to hope that it would help the defence of India and Pakistan against communism, may not be justified. In fact, communism can be checked only if its dangerous dimensions are fully realised and if other problems are relegated to a secondary position. But here it seems that Pakistan is more interested in grabbling Kashmir than in consolidating forces against communist expansionism.

President Kennedy is reported to have side that United States would like to see India and Pakistan settle the Kashmir problem because in U/s view that was the best way to defend the sub-continent against communism. Solution of any pending problem is always desirable, but to hope that it would help the defence of India and Pakistan against communism, may not be justified. In fact, communism can be cheeked only it its dangerous dimensions are fully realised and if other problems are relegated to a secondary position. But here it seems that Pakistan is more interested in grabbing Kashmir than in consolidating forces against communist expansionism.

President Ayub Khan, while turning down Prime Minister Nehru’s proposal for a no-war pact, has thought it fit to enter into such a pact with Communist China. They are even thinking of signing a mutual defence pact and further more, conspiring jointly or simultaneously to in vide India. Troops for some ‘spring-board’ action have been concentrated all along the border by both Communist China and Pakistan, wide-spread espionage by Pakistani agents in India has come to light, and with the existence of the CPI, China’s potentiality in this matter can well be imagined. Evidently Pakistan is not against Communist but against India.

Perhaps that is her congenital trait. But we have to take note of it while dealing with her. It is this fact that the West and ignored. Pakistan is prepared to go to any length to harm India. For this purpose, it can break solemn pledges and international treaties, it can hug a deceitful power only to spite India not realising that it might be stabbed in the back, does all this betoken a determination, or even a desire, to meet  the challenge of communist expansionism?

There are some people who feel that Pakistan’s present antics are due to absence of a settlement on the Kashmir issue. If once it is satisfied on this count its attitude would change. India and Pakistan then would become close allies against Communist China. We do not agree. And utterances of Pak Leaders lend weight to our view. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shri Bhutto had unambiguously stated that Pakistan would not join hands with India even if she gets the whole of Kashmir. Whatever be the cause, it must be clearly understood that Pakistan is not in a position to come to grips with bellicose China. India’s unhappy performance last October-November has influenced the attitude of al South-East Asian countries toward China. They all feel unnerved. And Pakistan, despite massive military aid by America, is no exception. Her attitude towards China will not change even by handing over Kashmir to her on a ‘silver platter’. It will change only by undoing the events of autumn last. As things are, it is only India who can, with adequate help from the democracies, keep Communist China within its proper limits. Other countries, even if they so desire, are physically incapable of developing sufficient strength to contain the octopus. It is for this reason that many a fortress of supposed built-up strength against Communist China has miserable fallen. Pakistan’s present policy is the outcome of twin complexes of hatred towards India a submission to a bully. So long as China is not paid back for her misdeeds against India, neither cajoling nor coercion will induce Pakistan or, for that matter, any other country of South-East Asia, to follow a policy of joint defence against irredentist and imperious China.

Further more, in our anxiety to win over Pakistan, we cannot conceive of any step that might weaken India’s will or capacity to resist the communist invader. And as things stand, the various solutions of the Kashmir problem suggested by some Western friends-and surprisingly endorsed by Shri C. Rajagopalachari are steps that would undermine people’s morale Settlement along the cease-fire line, even with some adjustments, was proposed by India, during the last Indo-Pak talks. But it has failed to satisfy Pakistan. It was a concession that nationalist India would not have taken lying down, because it would mean a premium on aggression. It would have demoralised the people. Moreover, communists in India would then have raised their voice for a similar settlement with Communist China. All this cannot be in keeping with India’s honour and her determination to maintain her territorial integrity.

Let all those who are interested in checkmating the evil designs of Communist China, refuse to pay undue importance to paranoid Pakistan and, instead, concentrate on straightening India morally, militarily and economically so that she can give a rebuff to Communist China and restore the balance up set by power hungry China. That will also correct the psychological imbalance of Pakistani leaders. That is the only way for the West to win Pakistan back and also perhaps for making her leaders realise the need of good-will and understanding with India-so very necessary for the solution of all pending Indo-Pak problems and for the peaceful development of the two States.

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer