With Pakistan in the West, Sri Lanka in the South, Bangladesh in the East and China in the North, thank god India is a peninsula; we don’t have to deal with two more neighbors.
For six decades now, we have been in war with Pakistan largely over the issue of Kashmir and eventually it spread across the country. The latest attacks on Mumbai throws a whole new dimension to the rivalry. In 2008-2009 alone our country has witnessed over 70 odd attacks. With the advancement of the Taliban into Buner, a mere 100 kilometers from Islamabad, the situation in Pakistan needs no explanation and if they take over the Pakistan then they could well become our western neighbor.
In the south, there is an ongoing Civil war in the Island nation since 25 years between LTTE and its government. The spill out of which among others, resulted in the assassination of our ex prime minister. Even though it seems like an endgame for Prabhakaran, there could be some more elements of LTTE spread across the country and if the main roots of the conflict are not addressed by its government then there could be the rise of another Prabhakaran. With the ongoing massive evacuation and thousands still in the conflict zone, the humanitarian situation presently seems grave.
And then there is Bangladesh and the infiltration of the terrorists through it in the East and the traditional rival and the largest and the most powerful neighbor and competitor in the north, China. I don’t think arguably any other major country has such serious situations posed by its neighbors. Among other challenges India facing today, National Security and foreign policy continue to occupy the top slot.
As it is said, we can change history but not geography, India and its top leadership should continue to emphasize on these matters and National Security should be the top agenda of the next government which otherwise can lead to many more Kargil’s and Mumbai’s.
- Vikranth
For six decades now, we have been in war with Pakistan largely over the issue of Kashmir and eventually it spread across the country. The latest attacks on Mumbai throws a whole new dimension to the rivalry. In 2008-2009 alone our country has witnessed over 70 odd attacks. With the advancement of the Taliban into Buner, a mere 100 kilometers from Islamabad, the situation in Pakistan needs no explanation and if they take over the Pakistan then they could well become our western neighbor.
In the south, there is an ongoing Civil war in the Island nation since 25 years between LTTE and its government. The spill out of which among others, resulted in the assassination of our ex prime minister. Even though it seems like an endgame for Prabhakaran, there could be some more elements of LTTE spread across the country and if the main roots of the conflict are not addressed by its government then there could be the rise of another Prabhakaran. With the ongoing massive evacuation and thousands still in the conflict zone, the humanitarian situation presently seems grave.
And then there is Bangladesh and the infiltration of the terrorists through it in the East and the traditional rival and the largest and the most powerful neighbor and competitor in the north, China. I don’t think arguably any other major country has such serious situations posed by its neighbors. Among other challenges India facing today, National Security and foreign policy continue to occupy the top slot.
As it is said, we can change history but not geography, India and its top leadership should continue to emphasize on these matters and National Security should be the top agenda of the next government which otherwise can lead to many more Kargil’s and Mumbai’s.
- Vikranth
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