The right mix of talks and force

The New Indian Express
First Published : 01 Apr 2010 11:33:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 01 Apr 2010 12:12:04 AM IST

The two blasts on Moscow’s metro train network, and the Dagestan twin blasts are yet another warning that the terror groups, far from being crippled by systematic international measures, still retain the ability to strike at will. This is not a particularly reassuring message to the state as it indicates that the terrorists are still able to identify loopholes and penetrate highly intensive security barriers with devastating results. The Russians have pointed towards Chechen involvement, particularly as the use of women suicide bombers. Of course, the fact that terrorism has not just a global reach but also a global support system implicates all other terrorist groups who have often come out to extend support to each other. The Russian ambassador to India has spoken of the epicentre of terrorism, in a clear pointer to Pakistan and it is true that there is little to distinguish between al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the Kashmir-centric terror groups who seem to be recruiting from a common pool, and sharing resources. The US has to realise this and not accept Pakistan drawn distinctions as the gospel truth. The negotiations with the Taliban run the risk of encouraging precisely those elements that hold the world to ransom through acts of terror, and Washington at least must recognise the nuances that will make the essential difference in government formation in Afghanistan. The Russian leaders have vowed to eliminate terrorism and while the sentiment has worldwide support, the realisation that the terrorists can detect chinks in state armour and strike has been demonstrated over and over again.

The Pune blasts might have resulted in some arrests, but again the conspiracy still remains unresolved. Union home minister P Chidambaram was brutally honest at an interaction with journalists in Delhi when he said that the government had no clue and had been caught totally by surprise. This after constant government claims of having tightened the security at all levels, and of doing all that was possible to prevent precisely such attacks.

The world has not been able to work out a judicious mix of talks and use of force, with the US moving from wars and invasions to talking to the very groups they had entered the region to eliminate. All governments are caught in this dilemma, and need to sit down and work out strategies that do not rely on just feel good factors but are born out of realities on the ground.