Rollback contortions

There are signs that the exaggerated nervousness in western capitals over the India-Pakistan stand-off may be easing. But the political move...

There are signs that the exaggerated nervousness in western capitals over the India-Pakistan stand-off may be easing. But the political moves signalling a rollback of the panic were much delayed. Moreover, they do not go the whole hog. In a decision as coordinated as the one late last month when these governments had advised their residents in India to go back home and citizens not to travel to India, several countries relaxed their travel advisories on Wednesday 8212; partially. They now suggest that their residents in India monitor the situation closely and that citizens at home avoid travelling to India for 8216;non-essential8217; and 8216;holiday travel8217;. The 8216;8216;very high level of tension between India and Pakistan that existed8217;8217; has 8216;8216;subsided somewhat8217;8217;, is all the United States Department of State is willing to declare in Wednesday8217;s updated warning. That8217;s a mealy-mouthed retraction. Governments that rushed to paint the subcontinent as the site of an imminent nuclear Armageddon, governments that unreasonably cast India in the role of an irresponsible nuclear power with itchy fingers hovering at the trigger, must surely execute a more forthright climbdown now.

It is true that Indian and Pakistani troops have been mobilised on the borders since the December 13 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. True also that tensions and hostilities between the nuclear rivals are a matter of international concern. Yet, Washington and other western capitals showed an uncalled-for skittishness in their response. Looking back, it could well have been an orchestrated set of moves. First, the western media went into frenzied overdrive 8212; putting out primers on the 8216;most dangerous place on earth8217;, raising the nuclear alarm, comparing and contrasting the two countries8217; arsenals, even putting out dates of the probable strike. Then came the travel advisories, setting off a rush for airline counters, slowing the tourist traffic to India to a trickle, and impacting on the market and investor sentiment. Both the media and the governments were jumping the gun. Both contributed to an upping of the ante in the region. It has been argued that the western reaction was only a ploy to pressure policymakers in the region to reduce tensions. There may be truth in that argument. But surely, a sense of proportion might have helped. Surely international response should have been tempered by a keener sensitivity to the situation on the ground.

And, surely, a clearer distinction should have been etched between India and Pakistan. While the updated advisories do recognise that difference 8212; there is no comparable dilution of travel warnings to Pakistan 8212; the fact remains that India, a sub-continent in its own right, was clubbed with its precariously poised neighbour for the first time. Plainly, some people out there need a reality check.