The India Pakistan Eye for an Eye Game

Even after several decades of independence, India and Pakistan have engaged their energy and time in the futile exercise of proving their presence and claiming sovereignty. An eye for an eye kind of attitude is threatening the long-term peace and tranquility of the region.

Reasons to such frequent violation

If we introspect the reasons behind these violations it is majorly because of the gross negligence from both sides in reaching any agreement with clarity and then abiding by it. It is majorly because: first it is done to give the cover to the infiltrators crossing the LoC, though it is not the sole reasons to it, because in the recent time the infiltrators number came down. Secondly it is not done whenever something fruitful of meaningful bilateral engagement is in place between the two nations, though happens whenever there is a perception of imbalance in the region through the engagement of third party. e.g the recent visit of Obama to India. Thirdly and the most important among is the construction, repair and enhancement of defense work on either side. It happens mainly because of lack of clarity regarding whether or not new construction is allowed along LoC. Fourthly there are no agreed upon standard operating procedures to govern the movements (livestock, people) along the LoC and International borders. Fifthly there remains a confusion over the correct demarcation of LoC which itself became unclear because of several exogenic forces.(soil erosion, landslides etc.)

Consequences of such violations

Cease fire violation incidents in the recent years between the two countries made the relations to reach an all time low. Having a notorious neighbor and a standoff with it is not good for a country to emerge strong in the region. China instead of having several such cases of intrusion never stops engagement with India because it knows the significance of such back-door diplomacy. With such incidences non-state actors gets activated. Business, cross-border trade, economic engagement and other regional integration is adversely affected. Investment atmosphere in both the country gets affected. Lots of energy, time, money, life and property are lost in such face-off. Economic engagements, bilateral talks, cooperation in the regional blocks all get adversely affected preventing the integration of the South-Asia into a powerful block.

The Road Ahead

There is an urgent need that both countries should start engaging and reaching to solutions of the major irritants between them.

• Firstly there should be an agreement on the new written ceasefire agreement signed by the premiers of both the nations.
• Secondly, it is also important for both sides to draft joint SOPs to ensure that inadvertent crossings, returnees and movement of livestock do not provoke firing by either side.
• Thirdly there should be more clarity on the defence construction in the region around LoC. Both the country should agree upon the kind of construction to be allowed and piece of land where it is allowed.
• Fourthly Pakistan should make serious attempt to repel the infiltrators attempt in the sensitive areas of LoC and international border.
• Fifthly the DGMO’s talks to be regularized to de-escalate the inadvertent situations.

Both the country need to realize the importance of bilateral engagement in the geo-strategic dynamism which is played down by the powerful blocks, encroaching sovereignty of the nation in particular and region at large. Such frequent acts of cease fire violation are making the two countries vulnerable and making the region fertile ground of low-hanging fruits.