After the 1971 war, two issues became critical for Pakistan: First, it was time for Pakistan to look for options to stay on a par with India, if not defeat it; and second, at no cost allow further disintegration of the country. The existing insurgencies in Pakistan’s tribal belt in Balochistan and restlessness in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did pose a constant challenge to the ruling elites.
The Tribune,Tuesday, 21 December 2021
Dr Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Stdues
The India-Pakistan relationship has gone through phases of intense hostility and tensions, and the two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought four conventional wars and dealt with the challenges of the threat of nuclear weapons (in their respective ways). While the bilateral relationship has been strained for most years, the terror attack on January 2, 2016, on the Pathankot Air Force Station led to the complete suspension of diplomatic dialogue. India’s decision to revoke Article 370 on August 5, 2019 came as a complete surprise for Pakistan, and since then, there have been a series of strong reactions/actions focusing on targeting India on the international front, attracting global attention and seeking mediation on Kashmir.
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Source: The Tribune