Ceasefire means a tight-rope walk

Time of India

15-05-2025

Dr Jagdish Batra is a senior academic, currently working as Professor of English at O.P. Jindal Global University, India. He has nearly four decades of teaching and research experience. His area of specialization is Indian English Fiction on which he has presented papers at many international conferences in Europe and South East Asia. A Rotary Study Exchange Scholar to USA, Dr Batra has published eight books besides some sixty research papers and a number of general articles/blogs etc. LESS ... MORE
It is the general feeling that the ceasefire announcement made by the government has dampened the spirit, not only of the army men, but also of people at large in the country. It does not fully address the issues which impelled the launch of the Sindoor operation. Midway, the campaign has been forced to stop without fully achieving our objectives, which reminds one of how Nehru did in 1948 when a successful operation was on in Kashmir against the Pakistan intruders camouflaged as tribals.
However, the situation is not that simple and many aspects need attention. So far as mediation is concerned, going to the negotiating table now would be akin to the Tashkent talks mediated by Russia or post-Kargil negotiations mediated by America. So, if talks of mediation are true it will not be the first time that India would agree to such a proposal. But we must remember that in both these situations, India was the loser. It seems our government did not want to offend President Donald Trump who is sought to be on the same page as India in the face of threat from China. But one can't really trust America, which has failed to supply essential arms during previous wars, while Russia has been a consistent ally. Placating Trump may mean creating wedge with Russia whose S400 missile system has been so effective this time in thwarting the volley of drones shot by Pakistan.
Also worrying is Trump's reported claim of American mediation in solving the long-standing Kashmir issue? That will indeed be going back on public proclamations at home and at UN fora refusing third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue. That would also be against the Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan. Trusting America as a fair arbiter is fraught with risks. Trump's role in trying to mediate in Arab-Israel or Russia-Ukraine wars does not evoke any optimism.
That apart, one feels baffled because the PM had talked of the final settlement (aar-paar ki ladai) and teaching lesson to the terrorists' patrons (aakaas). All defence experts and generals were unanimous in claiming a positive scenario for effecting the break-up of Pakistan and consequently final relief from terrorism for India. Surely, the Balochis and the Pashtuns as also Afghans were waiting for it. Several leaders of the ruling dispensation assured that it was a pause, and not a full stop to the Operation Sindoor, which meant that the operation had been suspended for time being, and may start again. How far this will prove to be true – only time will tell. Indian public at large is confused about the so called distinction between fighting Pakistan and fighting terrorists. It seems more of hair-splitting since the government has always been blaming Pakistan as the progenitor and disseminator of terrorism throughout the world. How can it now separate the two? While effecting the 'pause' in the operation, the government must ponder over the Hamas strategy of war adopted by Pakistan when it sent out barrages of drones across the border – whether to wreck destruction or to monitor army presence in India.
Pakistan's acceptance of ceasefire, if seen through the Hamas lens, means seeking time to replenish military supplies, repairing the defunct air attack shield and airfields, etc. in order to launch fresh offensive later. Experience tells us that Pakistan has never cared for making good its promises, much less observing the ceasefire norms over the last seven decades. The leopard will not change its spots now. There is no doubt that the situation is very complex with the other two neighbours – China and Bangladesh being hostile to India. At best, the government's intention is to present the image of a country that believes in fair dealings, so that the 'pause' will give the world the idea that India has tried its best to thwart a full-fledged war. It is indeed a tight-rope walk and one wishes the country comes out of this predicament victorious.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.