Harsha Kakar
On the stroke of midnight, 15 Aug 1947, two nations were born, India and Pakistan. The pains of partition, borne from the animosity between the leaders of thetwo newlyindependent nations, ensured that the countries remained enemies. While one was formed with religion as the basis of the state, the other was secular. The first war on Kashmir, commenced even before the nations could assimilate and handle their pressing refugee crises. The UN resolution, unfulfilled due to Pakistan’s fear of Kashmiri choices, remains a sore issue even today.
Seventy years’ post- independence, the two nations have grown apart in many ways. Politically, India remains a vibrant democracy, with its institutions secure. Pakistan, on the other hand has been governed by the army for over half its existence. The government in India is at liberty to take decisions on all aspects of governance, as per the visions set forth by the party in power, whereas in Pakistan, the civilian government, even whenever in power, is unable to take decisions concerning foreign policy and national security. It is subservient to the army. A graffiti on the walls of Karachi, during the tenure of Benazir Bhutto stated, ‘sorry for the interruption, military rule will be back shortly’, and it was.
The same story of governance has impacted the nation economically. While India’s economic policies seek overall development and in spite of demands of the military for a greater share of the budget pie for defence related procurements, the government ensures emphasis remains on social and developmental issues. India’s defence budget is 1.71% of the GDP, while including pensions it becomes 2.26%, against the demand of 3%. Pakistan’s military obtains a share of almost 3%, which even goesupto 4%, as they control the country, which doesnot include pensions, which form part of the civilian budget.
Internally too the countries have never been wider apart. All states which became a part of India, merged willingly, joined the Indian union and have over the years contributed healthily to national development. Kashmir, mainly due to the follies of the first government, possibly again aiming to appease their leaders, has remained a sore point. The present crises in Kashmir, requires deft government handling, which should soon be underway. Insurgencies which were launched in the North East, aiming to seek independence have since almost been resolved, with discussions well on the way. In short, India’s has been a story of success. The same can never be stated about Pakistan. It, even after 70 years, continues to be in a complete mess. The Baluchi freedom struggle prolongs and even the highhandedness of the army, employing air power and artillery, has never truly been able to claim success. The Pashtuns have been demanding a separate Pashtunistan. In Sindh, the Sindhudesh movement continues, albeit on an adhoc scale. POK also continues to burn. It is only the army which has been able to hold the nation together, that too with brutality and immense force. Its future remains always in doubt and predictions are galore, as to when one of the provinces would create an environment to break away.
India is more concerned with terror strikes and sponsorships of terror groups from across the border, than its internal insurgencies, which are largely confined to limited areas and reasonably under control. Pakistan, which made ‘state terror’ a part of its foreign policy and created terrorist groups to obtain territorial advantage, presently suffers its worst internal crises. Attacks on an army school, university, a park in Karachi and the most recent blast in a Quetta hospital have seriously undermined the ability of the state to control a growing crisis. The very groups which Pakistan created,have split, with many turning inwards against the state. They have also begun providing mercenaries and sanctuary to the IS, whose presence is on the rise.
Militarily, India due to its vibrant economy and partially supported by its DRDO, has created a notable edge in capacities and capabilities over Pakistan. India has the ability to procure weapons from across the world as per its requirements, Pakistan’s economic conditions prohibit it. India is pressing ahead with its Rafale deal, while Pakistan could not even afford to pay for the eight F-16 that the US was billing it for. While India is expected to be prepared to handle a two front war (with both Pakistan and China simultaneously), Pakistan has only one front to consider, against India. Yet the anti-India factor and fear, which exists between the nations, has compelled it to create a nuclear deterrent and follow a policy of first use. This action has ensured that peace between the two countries remains a remote possibility in any near future.
Diplomatically, the two nations are on different banks of the Indus. India, growing phenomenally in all spheres, is amongst the most sought after nation for diplomatic, military and economic ties. It seeks a permanent seat on the security council, an action supported by a number of nations. Though its recent bid for a seat in the NSG was scuttled however, its supporters are hopeful for its induction in the next sitting. Pakistan onthe other hand, could never even consider itself for a membership in the NSG, while a permanent seat in the UNSC, is even beyond its dreams. Its relationships with almost the entire western world is strained on account of its ‘state terror’ policy. It has only the support of China at present and hence is close to facing diplomatic isolation.
In brief, the two nations created at the same moment are a stark contrast to each other. While one is moving ahead, leaps and bounds, the other is struggling to even provide basic necessities to its population, one is secure, the other faces disintegration, one has enemies that it needs to be prepared for, the other has created them itself. In brief, in spite of all its follies, India is a story of success and Pakistan an example of failure.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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