WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minister Shastri has warned that India would “strike back at Pakistan” if Pakistani “aggression” continued in Kashmir. In an interview to the “New York Times” in New Delhi he has openly hinted at a general war with Pakistan. Mr Shastri said, “We will have to carry the fight to the other side.” He believed that India and Pakistan were closer to war now than at any time since the partition.

Mr Shastri’s sabre-rattling interview was given prominent display by the “New York Times” yesterday [Aug 22]. In another report the “New York Times” correspondent in India said that the Indian Army “is said to be aching for a chance to show what it can do. In the Cabinet there is said to be support for giving the soldiers a free rein”. The “Times” reported, however, that “India’s economy is lagging badly and the foreign exchange shortage is acute”. Indian officials realised that war would mean virtually shelving the country’s development programme for the duration.

While Indian jingoists threaten Pakistan of an all-out war her inability to feed her own population is pathetically summed up in this banner headline in the “Washington Post” — “India trembling near brink of famine”.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...