Why This Sudden Ceasefire Between India And Pakistan?
In a significant development after the Chinese pullout from Pangong Tso in Ladhak, both India and Pakistan have agreed to a Cease Fire. This mutually beneficial act along the borders from the midnight of February 24/25, 2021 may be able to sustain peace in the long run. The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, in a joint statement released on February 24, 2021, have agreed to a ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors (international border in Jammu region) to address “each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence”.
Both the LoC and international border in Jammu had witnessed the bloodiest year in terms of number of violations (incidents) by both sides in 2020. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there were 5,133 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2020, up from 3,479 in 2019 and 2,140 in 2018. In these incidents in 2020, India lost 24 security force personnel and 22 civilians.
Major general Babar Iftekhar, director general Inter Services Public Relations, at a press briefing on January 11, 2021, informed that 3,097 ceasefire violations by India took place in 2020 causing 28 civilian deaths. No information was given on deaths of Pak security personnel, but it would be around the same figure.
Now every one Is wondering as to the reason behind this sudden Ceasefire. Some say that things have been influenced by the USA. In the first foreign policy statement of Joe Biden, as the US president, on February 4, 2021. He said that the Countering the “growing ambitions of China to rival the United States” and “determination of Russia to damage and disrupt our democracy” were the two major challenges that the diplomats of the country will have to face. He informed that he had spoken with the leaders of “closest friends” to restore the habits of cooperation and rebuilding the muscle of democratic alliances that have “atrophied”.
Well, this may not be correct totally. A major factor is that the Pakis never expected the Chinese pull back in Ladhak. Seeing how things have happened, Pakistanis now know that, India has moved up to its rightful place in the International Strategic League. With the PLA pulling back, any wrong or irritating move by The Pakis may result in Baltistan rejoining rest of Ladhak and then next would be the turn of Gilgit. Neither Xi bhai nor Uncle Sam will be able to bail out Pakistan this time.
USA wants Pakistan, an old trusted ally, to be brought back to its fold. Pakistan had gradually drifted into the arms of China after Imran Khan received a cold and indifferent response from the Trump administration over Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
It has been noticed that soon after initial briefings of Biden, Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa immediately stressed the need for a “dignified and respectable” solution of Kashmir to bring this “human tragedy to its logical end” and restore peace. It was followed by PM Imran Khan, who, in a tweet on February 5, reiterated that Pakistan was ready to take two steps forward for peace, if India took one.
The United States has welcomed the Ceasefire agreement, saying it is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said at her daily news conference on Thursday that the Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.
It is very clear that Pakistan wants better ties with India as part of its efforts to relieve international pressure and reset ties with US. It must be pleased the state department yesterday called it “an important partner” with whom we share many interests.”
In the US scheme, they have always been trying to equate India With Pakistan and now onwards this is where they will be going wrong drastically. Will the USA like it, if now India starts equating USA and Iran or USA and North Korea, everywhere and for everything ?
The US and China think that they can try and divide the world into two competing camps vying for proxy countries to ensure economic domination of the globe for the benefit of their corporates — a new cold war. The US foreign policy makers seem to have acknowledged that the days of unipolar world dominated by the US, after disintegration of the erstwhile Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, are over. The military and economic might of the US is now being challenged and questioned by a rampaging China.
Well they forget that there are countries like India and Russia too, Who can never be camp followers. Then there are other powers too who will try and avoid becoming camp followers.
