Peaceful means must take precedence

As diplomatic pressures have forced Pakistan to take action against the jehadi outfits operating from that country, it strengthens our belief that terror cannot be won by more terror. There are many options available to combat terrorism. A war against the terrorists and their perpetrators should always be considered as the very last option. For years, India is fighting terrorism in its own unique way. While India never found wanting in taking strong actions against terrorism, New Delhi has always kept its door open for peaceful solutions through negotiations.

Though there were very few takers of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s unilateral ceasefire call in Kashmir, India’s version of the carrot and stick policy paid good dividend in the North-East. Peace in Mizoram stands a testimony to this fact. Mizo rebels, realising the futility of violent means, returned to the mainstream through negotiations. As a result, today Mizoram is the most peaceful State in the North-East and showing the entire world what can be achieved through peaceful means, cannot be achieved by bloodshed.

It appears that history is all set to repeat itself in Nagaland. The most important outcome of the Osaka meeting, between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and NSCN (IM) leaders Issak Swu and T. Muivah, is that after years of pursuing violence, the Naga underground organisation has now fully committed itself for a peaceful settlement of the vexed Naga problem, which kept away peace from this picturesque land for more than 50 years now.

Thus, in the aftermath of the attack on Indian Parliament by Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups, the Centre should not be provoked to take extreme action without exploring all other avenues to wipe out terrorism from its root.

Many hardliners may term India’s strategy as soft. But, one should not forget that India’s stand against terrorism has been appreciated by the world. Even just before the SAARC summit, three member countries, namely Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives have extended full support to India’s policy, which beyond doubt has put Pakistan under tremendous pressure to defend its action of providing moral and logistical support to the jehadi groups. Pakistan’s effort to sell terrorism in the name of freedom struggle has no takers now. It is time now to step up our diplomatic efforts against terrorism to compel Pakistan either to take action against the terrorists or to face the complete isolation, as the world is getting ready for the final assault on terrorism.
        
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