FIRE AND CEASEFIRE

GS-2: International Relations

Key Highlights

• India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire understanding following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
• U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claimed to have facilitated this dialogue.
• The article cautions against third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, reinforcing India’s longstanding position.
• The new security doctrine underlines India’s right to retaliate militarily in response to cross-border terror.
• The ceasefire was achieved after three days of intense conflict and significant loss of life and property.

Detailed Insights

• The U.S. claim of mediating a ceasefire has revived concerns about the internationalisation of the Kashmir dispute.
• Historically, India has opposed any third-party mediation, upholding the bilateral nature of the issue as per the Shimla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999).
• The Modi government’s new doctrine signifies a shift toward preemptive military action against terror bases in Pakistan.
• While the ceasefire is a welcome development, the article emphasizes the need for transparency and parliamentary accountability regarding the costs and decisions taken during the conflict.
• It criticizes both the BJP and the Congress for competitive nationalism, urging them to focus on constructive and cooperative political discourse.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved

• None directly, though strategic and military doctrines like preemptive self-defense, deniability, and cross-border terror response frameworks are implied.

Significance

• The article underscores the importance of safeguarding India’s sovereign decision-making in security matters.
• Raises concerns about the erosion of domestic political consensus in foreign policy matters.
• Reinforces the need for a pluralist and democratic identity in responding to security threats while avoiding communal polarisation.