MUCH has already been said and written about Modi’s belligerent statement in Bangladesh as well as about the Indian defence ministry threatening reprisals against Pakistan for promoting “terrorism” in India.

Why has India chosen this moment to issue such provocative statements?

Is the “red rag” for New Delhi the Sino-Pak corridor which the Indians consider as the “game-changer” in this region? Its success will not only enhance China’s safe access to the Middle East and beyond, the corridor will also attract the Central Asian states for their exports through Gwadar. India is, therefore, preparing ground for unilateral action to counter “terrorism” at a place and time of its choosing.

F. H. Ansari

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2015

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