India-Pakistan Relations After Obama's Afghanistan Speech
“A few recent developments indicate prospects of improving India-Pakistan relations. First, both India and Pakistan generally welcomed the new Afghan policy direction enunciated by President Obama last week, though with some reservations. Secondly, Indian officials have hinted that India is considering reducing its security forces in its part of the Jammu and Kashmir area. A widely reported disclosure by a human rights group last week saying that 2,600 bodies have been discovered in single, unmarked graves and in mass graves throughout mountainous Indian-controlled Kashmir has raised concerns about the situation. The most favorable statement potentially creating more trust between the two states, however, came from India’s state minister for external affairs, Shashi Tharoor, who in a popular talk show said that he is not worried about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear weapons adding, 'those who are very close to Pakistan [meaning the U.S.] seem to be convinced that there is nothing to be worried about.' Pakistani media quoted Tharoor on front pages -- mostly in an appreciative tone,” says Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Fellow Hassan Abbas.
“Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to burn. A devastating suicide attack on a mosque in Rawalpindi in a residential area for senior army officers created havoc. Besides senior army officers including a general, a brigadier, two colonels and a few soldiers, 17 children were also killed in the attack. Attacks on mosques are not new but this one was especially chilling because of its location and the presence of many children in the mosque. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, operating in Pakistan's tribal belt, accepted responsibility for the attack. It is their response to military action in their area. Another attack in a market area in Lahore on Monday has killed more than two dozen people, showing that terrorists are desperate and are targeting ordinary people in the hope to scare them. So far, Pakistani resolve against terrorism is on the rise.”
Hassan is based in New York. To arrange an interview, please contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].