Lt. General (retd.) Hoon's litany of questions make sense.  It is appropriate, relevant and very timely list of complaints.  Since there is no appropriate action initiated by the PDP government to stop unfurling of Pakistani and ISIS flags in the Indian territory as well as open insurgency by the miscreants and puppets of a nation across the border, it is obvious that the  PDP leaders have a soft corner for Pakistan.  If it is true then Mr. Hoon's complaint becomes more relevant and timely which needs answer from both the state and the central governments.  Now coming to the on-going ceasefire violations at LOC, it is little puzzling to this writer to understand central government's policy towards these violations.  Whenever, which is very often, this violation occurs, the central government officials use a statement to the effect stating that if these type of violations 'continue', Indian government will give a befitting response to Pakistan.  The word 'continue' has been in use for decades, and it seems that this word has either a unlimited time span or has no relevance at all. Because Pakistan has been violating ceasefire agreement at LOC without any interruption and befitting response from the central government.  May be some one who is reading my comments can explain to me the meaning of a word 'continue'.  What do Indian leaders mean by this word?  Discussing any issues with the civilian government in Islamabad is a waste of time, energy and resources because civilian government has no authority to initiate action which will be conducive to ameliorate relationship with India - due to the pressure from the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI.  As they say, might is right.  Hence, force is the only way to remove this headache from the Indian borders.

The article narrates a few factual incidents which are willingly acceptable to the PDP leaders but not to the BJP establishment.  Mr. Mufti also holds an opinion that the marriage between PDP and BJP is like trying to meet East with the West.  When you have this type of inner feelings and understanding, how can one expect a smooth sailing in the political, social and cultural sectors.  When open anti-India demonstrations, unfurling of Pakistani flags on the Indian territory and uninterrupted meetings between Kashmiri separatists and Pakistani diplomats in India continued without any official objection and appropriate action, one is compelled to infer the real intention of the local government.  In the current scenario, that inference does not reflect any allegiance of the PDP leaders towards India.  They are tilting towards Pakistan.  Therefore, as the article stated that time is running out before the coalition between PDP and BJP is dissolved and new elections take place.  The state of J & K needs leaders who can create jobs for the locals to keep them occupied and make them productive citizens of the state.  Also, Article 370 needs to be repealed/modified so that non-Kashmiri businesses can flow in and help create jobs and  prosperity, thus increasing standard of living of locals in the region.  Since 1947, no effort has been made by the local governments to educate and create jobs for the locals, hence the suffering, turmoil and ill-will being viewed.  The venom being spewed by the locals is the end result of devoid of proper education and employment.  In order to be successful for any government, these two ingredients are essential to provide to the locals.  The fault lies with the government authorities and not with the locals.

Obama administration seems to be very happy by signing a nuclear deal with Iran.  Not knowing the full details of this agreement, still to be signed and approved by Congress, one hopes for the best outcome.  It is always a good idea to prevent the possibilities of war anywhere in the world, especially the Middle East Region.  However, the whole world knew the gist of this impending agreement - which has 10 years delay to manufacture any nuclear bomb and resistance on the part of Iran not to let the nuclear inspectors visit the military installations etc.  One wonders if those irritants - irritants especially to Israel - have been removed.  If not, one has to see the reaction and action on the part of Israel.  Prime Minister of Israel just made a remark that Israel will defend itself unilaterally, if need be, to save Israel.  I do not know what it means, but time will tell.  If that means Israel will attack the nuclear sites of Iran with their own arsenal, we are talking of symptoms of WWIII.  How about Saudi Arabia?  I am sure they are feeling perplexed, and must be knocking at the doors of Pakistan and North Korea to buy nuclear bombs to balance the power in the region.  No doubt a wide rift between Saudis and the USA and the latter's tilt towards Iran is making Saudis very uncomfortable.  Therefore, even though some type of nuclear has been signed with Iran, it is premature to say that everything in the Middle East is honky and dory and nothing to worry about.

It is always a good idea to have friendly relations with everybody especially the neighbors.  What Russia and China are doing  is running parallel to this concept.  However, one ought  not to forget the basics of developing friendly relationship which needs a sincere willingness, determination and eagerness to achieve that goal.  India has been striving to accomplish this objective since 1947, but due to lack of sincere initiatives from Pakistan always derailed the train from the track.  What happened in Ufa, Russia sounds historical, but this writer has some apprehension.  Both Russia and China, especially China wants to see improvement of relationship between India and Pakistan to establish peace in the region.  How about improving relationship between India and China?  China has been occupying thousands and thousands of miles Indian territory since 1962 which is a major stumbling block.  This unauthorized occupation of land is an apple of discord between India and China.  This insatiated territorial ambition of China does not end here, it is still asking India to get out of Arunachal Pradesh also because China treats that territory of India as the southern part of Tibet which again is an unauthorized occupation of China.   Is China willing to go back to the pre-1962 territorial line and stop unacceptable claim on Arunachal Pradesh?  If China is really and sincerely interested in seeing peace and tranquility in the region, this is an opportune time to show some big heart gesture and go back to its original borders and resist from its ambition of territorial expansion.  If not, then I think it is a ploy to see India caving in under the pressure of China and Russia.  These are the chess games, India has to be very very careful in playing its pawns.

The relationship between India and Pakistan has become a bouncing ball which has been bouncing since 1947 without reaching at its desired acceptable position.  This ball has been bouncing from one hand to another like a hot potato no one party wants to hold for a long time.  Whenever there seems to be a little ray of hope to ameliorate relationship, something negative occurs whether in the shape of an unacceptable anti-India remarks by one of the government or military official of Pakistani establishment or some type of ceasefire violation at the LOC.  Recent verbal agreement at Ufa, Russia between Prime Ministers Sharif and Modi is a live example.  Mr. Modi accepted Mr. Sharif's invitation to visit Pakistan next year and then today Mr. Sharif's National Security Advisor, Mr. Aziz, released a statement that there will be no negotiation with India unless a core issue of J & K is incorporated in the agenda to be discussed.  This writer is very confused and trying to find out who is the boss in Pakistan.  Is it the Prime Minister of Pakistan or his National Security Advisor or the nexus of Military/ISI?  Since the number of issues involved and the ideology  and determination of resolving these issues require open mind, this writer is very pessimistic to see it happening ever at least not in the near future.  India' plea is that J & K is part and parcel of India whereas Pakistani authorities including the military establishment always claim that there will be no negotiation unless J & K issue which in their mind is the core issue becomes part of the negotiation.  Under this scenario, how can one expect to achieve what each party wants to achieve when their opinion on this issue is diametrically opposed to each other?  Am I missing something?  However, my opinion is that negotiating with Pakistan is a waste of time, energy and resources which India can rightfully divert to some other useful direction to extract more mileage than waiting for Pakistan to change its attitude.  INDIA JUST NEEDS TO SHUT ITS DOORS ON THIS TOPIC.

This is not the first time that China has stood by Pakistan even though lots of evidence were presented by India about Lakhvi's involvement.  India should never expect any action by China which is going to go against Pakistan irrespective of the topic of discussion or dispute.  One should not ignore the fact that China has lot at stake to fulfill its long term objective and that is to create a hegemonic state in that part of the world.  Some of its actions in Pakistan provide a very vivid signal towards this objective and they are; its investment in Pakistan's Balochistan port, its ongoing military involvement in the POK area, propagating teaching Chinese languages in Pakistan and investment in the Silk Road Project to name a few.  Talking to China about any topic about Pakistan is a waste of time and energy.  It is just like talking to Pakistan about solving a Kashmir issue - futile exercise.  Needless to say, China has been occupying thousands and thousands of miles Indian territory since 1962.  In addition, they are further claiming that Arunachal Pradesh as part of China.  They have already swallowed Tibet.  They are the known occupier.  No one at the international forums even talks about it.  Why not?  Shouldn't India raise this question consistently at the UN?    It is good to keep the political and diplomatic dialogues open, but India must keep in mind that China is not India's friend.  To beat China, India needs to be strong militarily and economically.  There is no other way to overcome this situation.  Indian leaders at the center have to be very vigilant and pro-active about Chinese chess moves.