India’s stand vindicated

India feels vindicated that no less than the president of Pakistan is admitting to what South Block has been saying for over a decade: Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy.

While Asif Ali Zardari did not spell out the objectives for which the terrorists were created and nurtured by Pakistan, it is well-documented that Islamabad had encouraged jihadis and created the Taliban to gain strategic depth in Afghanistan. But don’t be surprised “if Zardari is forced to retract his comments”, said an Indian official.  

Indian officials agree that Zardari is trying to blame the country’s army for the current war-like situation in Pakistan. He has been steadily sidelined by army chief general Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who prefers to deal with prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. The president has also lost much of the initial popularity and sympathy that he received soon after the assassination of his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Against this backdrop, New Delhi views his remarks as an attempt to embarrass the army and tell the people that the civilian government can’t be held responsible for the rise of Taliban and other militant outfits in Pakistan.