RSS favouring India's engagement with Pakistan sends positive vibes across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: At a time when both India and Pakistan celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war, a statement from RSS favouring India's engagement with Pakistan and other neigbours, appears to send positive vibes across Pakistan after its ties with New Delhi remaining under stress for quite a long time over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and Working Boundary.

While the list of problems between the two countries is too long and complex, a show of jingoism further narrows chances of any breakthrough on least important issues, be it shallow promises of CBMs.

As these days, both countries are busy, like every year since 1965, marking the anniversary of war, the offer of olive branch from right wing RSS, the mentor of ruling BJP, is a serious matter for serious consideration.

"The timing of this message of brotherhood from RSS is crucial. It came at a time when media in both countries are occupied with celebrations of 50-year-old war," said Ali Akbar, an observer. "Geography, history and culture offer more for both countries to celebrate than victory or defeat in war," he added.

Nazrul Islam, another observer, said that positive statement by RSS at a time when skirmishes on both sides of the LoC and working boundary have been intensified, will somehow help in lowering the temperature. "The cancellation of Delhi talks was huge setback for both countries. Talks should not be called off at any stage. Closing doors for talks provide an opportunity to the 'unwanted' elements on both sides of the borders to create mess," he said.
Had talks not called off, Islam added, the tension on LoC, working boundary would not have increased, and both countries may not suffered civilian casualties. "Talks must prevail and it is the only way to move forward. Both nations cannot afford wars, be it full fledge or short term," he said.

About the 1965 war, there is common belief in Pakistan that India had terribly failed to invade Pakistan and had suffered heavy losses. Though, the war ended in stalemate, but Pakistan marks it as its victory.

Air Marshal (retired) Nur Khan, who headed the Pakistan Air Force in 1965, had reportedly said in an interview that the army had misled the nation with a big lie that India rather than Pakistan had provoked the war - and that Pakistan won a "great victory".

And since the "lie" was never rectified, the Pakistani "army came to believe its own fiction, (and) has continued to fight unwanted wars," he had said.