India-Pakistan Tension: What Next?

Former Army Chief Bikram Sigh said India should not get carried away by the ‘goodwill gesture’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Pakistan PM Imran Khan.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to Indian soil on Friday, 1 March, after he was captured by Pakistan Armed Forces on Wednesday, 27 February.

India carried air strikes across the Line of Control – for the first time since 1971 – on Tuesday, 26 February, on terror camps after the Pulwama attack on Thursday, 14 February, which claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

In retaliation, Pakistan reportedly targeted Indian military installations a day later.

After Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ‘peace gesture’ to release Wing Commander Abhinandan, what will be India’s next step and how things will shape between the neighbouring countries? Former Army Chief General Bikram Singh spoke to BloombergQuint on India’s Balakot air strikes, where India stands after Khan’s gesture, and the various claims and disinformation.

Singh said “Balakot air strikes mark a change in our stand and strategy of dealing with terrorism,” and the message that has gone to Pakistan through the strike is more important.

On the current India-Pakistan stand, he said on India will hit back this time if required. “Pakistan escalated by hitting our military instillations.”

‘Should Not Get Carried Away by ‘Goodwill’ Gesture’

On Pakistan PM Khan’s ‘goodwill gesture’ of announcing release of IAF pilot, Singh said that India should not get carried away by it and be mindful of the bigger picture. He also said there is no question they would have taken the any other decision in the matter.

“The pressure is mounting on Pakistan, we need to remain focused and be mindful of the bigger picture. We should not get carried away by ‘goodwill gesture’.

He also called the decision a victory on India’s part. Singh highlighted that the United Nations and important universal bodies are “talking ill about Pakistan and asking it to behave”.

According to the former army chief, India should maintain its tempo and not lose it. He said Pakistan is totally isolated and is being isolated even by the Muslim world. “Imran Khan will do everything to prove to the world that he is a well-meaning person and wants peace with India.” However, he stressed on the fact that peace and dialogue with Pakistan will only come if acts against terrorism.

On the lack of official numbers of causalities from the Balakot air srtike, Singh said it is the government’s decision and it will release them at the appropriate time.