MUMBAI IN CHAOS

Since my last post a lot has been happening... but none has been as dramatic and tragic as the terrorist attack in Mumbai. Till the last official release the body count closes in on 200, however, other agencies report far higher figures.In the light of this mishap my last post seems almost prophetic as it dealt with the concept of doom.

India has always taken a more diplomatic stance in opposition to its neighbor Pakistan's aggressive attitude. The role of the United States as the pacifist needs no elaboration; despite the current global movement against the US its diplomatic power is beyond dispute. It in fact even managed to stave off any reactionary actions from India's side when the Indian embassy in Kabul was bombed, and Pakistani spies were found to have contributed to it logistically.

This time however things will most probably be different if the mood of the public in general and the government in particular is any indication. In no uncertain terms Prime minister Manmohan Singh has placed the blame right at the doorstep of Pakistan, and naturally Pakistan has protested. With the elections also approaching quickly the government has the added pressure of having to perform in suitable ways; we all know how the approach of elections can make politicians turn coats.

If my recent menory serves me correctly the battle of Kargil started almost too quietly. One day things were seemingly OK and the next day battle lines were drawn. With Pakistan's threat to withdraw its military from the Afghan border and deploy them along Indian lines I gingerly await news of a fresh conflict- but this time on a bigger scale than Kargil.

No, its not that I am looking forward to it but there are certain deductions that we need to make from time to time. I sincerely wish that things would settle, yet, I also know that just wishing for an ideal state is naivety. And this time around it sure looks like India is not too keen on diplomacy alone.

A subject for thought... a muslim body has refused to bury the bodies of the terrorists slain in the encounter.