Highly irresponsible statement

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in a recent interview said the force was ready to call Pakistan’s “nuclear bluff” and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government. “We will call the (nuclear) bluff of Pakistan. If we will have to really confront the Pakistanis, and a task is given to us, we are not going to say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their nuclear bluff,” Gen. Rawat said. Considering the already tense relations of India and Pakistan, statement of Bipin Rawalt was unnecessary and it required a response from Pakistan. Responding to a remark by the Indian army chief, the chief of Pakistan Army’s media wing has said that India should not harbour any illusion about Pakistan’s defence capabilities, while the Foreign Office (FO) warned India against any misadventure. Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor termed the Indian army chief’s statement “irresponsible” and “unbecoming” of a four-star general who is serving as the chief of army staff. While talking about specifically on any Indian misadventure, he said that “Should they wish to test our resolve they may try and see it for themselves. We have a credible nuclear capability exclusively meant for threats from the East.” In recent times tension between two neighbouring countries has increased manifold. Arrest of Indian spy Kalbhushan Jadhav and his revelations of involvement in anti-Pakistan activities, constant incidents of Indian violence along the Line of Control and Working Boundary have contributed in mounting the tensions. After emergence of reports of recently concluded meeting in Bangkok between national security advisors of India and Pakistan, It was being hoped that both countries have realized the importance of indulging in talks. But then surfaced the very condemnable statement of Indian army chief that can further decrease the chances of any opportunity aiming at decreasing tension. Politicians on both sides usually talk again countries of each other in order to increase their vote banks, but this statement by Indian army chief gives a hint that military leadership of India is growing more importance at the policy making level. If this is not the case India government should question on passing very immature statement.  Pakistan rightly responded the anti-Pakistan rhetoric. Best way forward is to put an end to the hawkish comments and find opportunities to communicate in order to ease bilateral tension.