Pakistan ceasefire violations: India should respond effectively, but not close doors for dialogue

The rise in the incidence of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control should not detract India from keeping the lines of dialogue with its western neighbour open.

While New Delhi’s response must be both effective and forceful, it must not take any measure that would give legitimacy to Islamabad’s violations of an agreement to resolve differences through dialogue. India’s response, in other words, should not offer scope for one power centre to undermine the efforts of another power centre in Pakistan as it tries to improve relations with India.

Pakistan has multiple power centres, the civilian government is the weakest. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's inability to put Kashmir on the agenda, and his acceptance of terrorism as the core issue in his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ufa have not gone down well in Pakistan.

The tussle for power in Islamabad could well have contributed to its increased aggression. But that is not New Delhi’s lookout. India’s pushback must be a proportionate response to the Pakistan’s continued escalation of violence, the denial of visas to Indian officials, and to the repudiation of a tradition of exchanging gifts of sweets between the border forces on Eid.

This response must not preclude an effort to engage in dialogue with all Pakistani power centres willing to engage with India.

Given the history and demands of domestic politics, India and Pakistan are unlikely to become an example of neighbourly bonhomie any time soon. What can be realistically achieved is to ensure peace in the region, so that both countries can focus on development. For that, New Delhi must act like the emerging power it is, with restraint and understated strength, without offering the other side propaganda points.