Gauging Terror – Part II, India
Despite suffering substantial losses from terrorism, India resists initiating military strikes
Michael Krepon
YaleGlobal, 17 August 2006
Michael Krepon suggests that India – with almost 20,000 civilians killed in terror attacks since 1994 – has reason to pursue terrorists based in Pakistan. Yet, India has exercised restraint when it comes to retaliating against terrorist attacks with suspected links to Pakistan-based groups, resisting opening another front in the war on terror. Both nations hold nuclear weapons, so opening that front could be disastrous. The Bush administration, proud of improving relations with both nations, would face a dilemma about which side to support if such a confrontation emerged. Embroiled in crises with Iraq and Afghanistan, the US cannot expect India to act with restraint against acts of terror, and yet any action against Pakistan would provoke an explosive reaction in the country. Krepon urges the nations battling terrorism to take preventive actions, developing heightened security as well as pursuing delicate diplomacy that could reconcile competing interests.
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