Posted on 06/13/2002 6:20:02 PM PDT by AM2000
Free Republic is funded solely by donations from readers.
Donations and official correspondence should be mailed to:
Free Republic, LLC, PO Box 9771, Fresno, CA 93794
Support Free Republic by secure credit card.
Send PayPal direct to JimRob@psnw.com
India, like the U.S., is basically peaceloving. In such countries, the military brass cares deeply about its troops and tries to protect them from wars which risk high casualties. Historically, the U.S. has also had its share of generals who give reasons why not to fight.
I think the military are simply angling for a bigger budget!
Pakistan has the same problem but it means a lot less because they're defending.
India can completely wreck the Pakistani state, to the point where its continued existence as a country is unlikely (i.e., reduce it to something like the Taliban's Afghanistan in 1999-2000), with a naval blockade which India already has the capability for. But that would take time to work - 4-5 months - with both too many possibilities for foreign intervention and Pakistani retaliation, and more importantly, it wouldn't feed the egos and careers of a major domestic interest group - the Indian Army.
So many Americans knowledgeable concerning military matters didn't take India's posturing seriously.
The military headquarters had in fact observed that Pakistan had superior capabilities in several areas, specially in the field of missiles, the committee member claimed. All the major cities in India are within the reach of Pak missiles and number of strategic targets as well as number of people likely to be affected are much larger than those in Pakistan.
Long-range air-to-air missiles don't shoot down nuclear tipped missiles in flight to Indian cities. The general is saying Pakistan has enough nuclear weapons to deter an attack by India.
The Indian startegy post that is to 1) isolate Pakistan and make it a pariah state 2) commit US to make a choice between India and Pakistan. The attack on Parliament was the first opportunity to start the brinkmanship. The idea was to put so much pressure on Pakistan that it starts to behave in an irresponsible manner. The Pakistanis know what Indians are trying and Indians know that Pakistanis know what Indians know but Pakistan still were forced to respond as they were cornered. It responded by giving out a nuclear threat. And this is what the Indians wanted. It served the following purposes
1) It immediately created global alarm which resulted in furious diplomacy
2) Focus shifted from Kashmir terrorism to nuclear terrorism - the first is acceptable or tolerated by US but not the second one. It HAD to act and stop it.
3) Iron clad guarantee obtained from Musharraf to stop terrorism - for all times to come
4) India has not yielded an inch in its diplomatic position. Pakistan has lost its remaining reputation and use as a reliable ally to US.
5) It did not want a war - it has a LOT to lose - Bombay skyline , world class Hi-Tech industry , huge manufacturing industry , large dams etc . Its a country on a roll and not interested in war. Pakistan is in shambles and quite ready to commit suicide with all males ready to die and get served by 77 virgins. A large army is meant to scare not fight and the first person who blinks - loses.
These are principles of ware found in ancient Indian texts like Arthshastra - how to divide enemies , make friendships and punish enemies. The Indian leaders are masters of this machiavellian strategy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.