I am not sure if the writer of this article is the same Mr. Haqqani who once was Pakistani Ambassador in the USA under PPP's regime.  If so, needless to say, his article is very balanced and full of facts.  He worked in the inner circle of then Pakistani government.  As he stated in his article, Pakistan's continued support for the non-state militant actors, convoluted text books to misguide the Pakistani subjects, continuous discussion and argument about a baseless issue of Kashmir knowing fully well that Kashmir does not belong to Pakistan, are irritants in the eyes of Indian leaders.  Pakistan should go back and read the history started in 1947 when the then prince Hari Singh agreed to make Kashmir part of India because India saved his territory from an unexpected attack by Pakistan on Kashmir. However, the fact remains, and Mr. Haqqani will agree with me, that so long as the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI is overpowering the democratically elected government in Islamabad, one ought not to expect any wonders towards ameliorating relationship between India and Pakistan.  Pakistani establishment like many other Muslim countries does not want its people to be educated, well nourished and well established because these basic ingredients of any human bring awareness of self respect, individual rights and sense of liberty.  These basic human instincts are not acceptable to the Muslim leaders - one can say, that is the history of Muslim leaders,kings and land lords.  Pakistan is spending 70% of its budget to maintain military might and towards making nuclear bombs.  Per current press reports, Pakistan will have over 350 nuclear bombs in another 15 years.  Do they really need that many bombs to crush India?  One should not forget that USA threw only two bombs on Japan in WWII, and Japan surrendered.  Also, those bombs were not even near to the destructive power as compared to the modern bombs.  So, why so many bombs?  Pakistan can earmark the same financial resources towards improving educational system, infrastructure, health facilities, manufacturing and food production etc.  This will bring prosperity, good health to its citizens and well educated Pakistani can flourish overseas also.  It is going to be a win win situation.  However, in order to achieve this, the ideology of the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI and the basic philosophy of the civilian government need to be changed.  Do the leaders of different establishments in Pakistan have the desire to think about the nation first?

Unfortunately, these intrusions on the LOC are going on, have been going on, and till the Kashmir problem is settled once and for all, will be going on.  Of course these catches are important to show to the world a live proof of what Pakistan's non-state actors with the abetment, financing and supervision of nexus of Pakistani military/ISI are doing on the border.  This is basically a nuisance on the border and Pakistan wants to keep these activities alive with the help of its proxies - LeT, J-e-M and others- to divert attention of its citizens from the domestic problems.  Also, Pakistani military wants war with India and this is one of the ways to excite India to become more belligerent.  I am not sure how long India can hold its horses before another full fledged military engagement takes place.  Eventually, it is going to happen because the civilian government in Islamabad is impotent and cann't go against military.  This government is dancing on the tune of a music played by the Pakistani military establishment.  Therefore, sooner the Indian government initiates some serious military action to over power the whole Kashmir, the better off that region will be.  Simultaneously, India ought to adopt a very aggressive maneuvering to help the Balochs and insurgents in the Sindh Province who want separation from Pakistan.  Dismantling Pakistan further will also prove to be an effort to establish peace in the region.

It seems that Pakistan intends to actively pursue the mad nuclear race and prove to the other nuclear powered nations that it has the will and the capacity to beat them in this matter. According to this article, Pakistan may be able to build up to 350 nuclear bombs in a decade time. It raises a few intelligent questions in my mind. What is the purpose of hoarding so many nuclear bombs and at what cost? Yes, Pakistan feels threatened by India. But do they really need 350 nuclear bombs to defeat and crush India? One should not forget what happened when USA threw only two bombs in Japan during WWII, the Japanese government right away surrendered. Also, it is to be noted that those bombs were not even near having the destructive power what these modern nuclear bombs have. So what is the gimmick here? Also, I think that Pakistan is not utilizing their financial resources in a proper fashion. Instead of using its financial resources for the uplift and betterment of its citizens towards development of educational system, infrastructure and manufacturing etc., it is channeling its funds in a destructive way. The other reason of accumulating a large number of bombs could be that they have the intention to sell them - a finished product - to other Muslim countries which eventually may end up creating a nuclear holocaust. In either case, the nature of this venture is very destructive both for the Pakistani nationals as well as for the world to face.  India has a declared policy of not to use nuclear arsenal 'first'.  If Pakistan attacks India with its nuclear power, does any one think that India will take it with its hands down?  With its own mighty nuclear power, India will decimate Pakistan within no time.  Therefore, it is in the interest of Pakistan not to provoke India by violating ceasefire at the LOC and stop its proxy war in Kashmir, failing which the consequences could be very destructive.  The ball is in the court of Pakistan.

Rape in India has become a very common news item.  Everyday one reads that rape is taking place in practically every corner of the country.  How shameful?  What happened in Assam is, of course a repetition of act what occurred in New Delhi in December 2012 and the victim Nirbhaya is still fresh in the minds of all Indians.  Lot of demonstrations took place in Delhi in 2012, and similar demonstrations are taking place in Assam today as well.  One wonders if just conducting demonstrations to eradicate this menace is enough or something more needs to be done.  If so, what it is?  Raising your concern through the demonstrations is not enough.  What is needed is strict and specific anti-rape legislation with the provision that any rapist proven guilty will be behind bar for a longer period of time without parole, and God forbid if the victim dies, then the rapist will be executed also without fail.  Any interference from any higher-ups will not be treated lightly either.  A person interfering in this judicial judgement will face the legal music too.  Also, there is a need to establish special courts just to entertain rape cases, and should be under strict guidelines to dispose of these heinous cases within weeks, not months and years. Since rape is a social evil, it needs to be eradicated nationwide, and to accomplish this objective, country needs leaders with a strong spine.  I wonder if leaders at both the state and central levels are listening the cries of rape victims.

Mr. Nawaz Sharif's open statement supporting the separatists in Kashmir is an indication and approval of its support to the anti-India elements in India.  The sad part is that Pakistan expects that India will cave in to the ideology Pakistan carries about the activities of these separatists in India.  It is just like India asking Pakistan to accept the demands of Balochs to be separated from Pakistan or the leaders of MQM Party to disassociate itself from Pakistan and make a new country called Sindh or whatever.  However, Mr. Sharif's statement further proves the point that Pakistan is not interested in ameliorating relationship between India and Pakistan.  This is a mind-set, and it will continue till the time the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI is overpowering the democratically elected government in Islamabad.  Therefore, India is left with no alternative except just to ignore Pakistan and make it irrelevant in the political process.  Having meetings with them is a waste of time, energy and resources.  Currently, Pakistan is shackled with their financial, political, social, sectarian and cultural problems and the time is not too far when it will collapse under its own weight.

As stated in this article, the increase in rape victims in general is mind boggling.  Any time a child or female member of the community is raped, it is a disgrace to the law and order of a country.  Whether a rape occurs in a metropolitan city or a remote village, it is a shame on the whole mankind.  It is good that there is now an awareness to report such cases, but just reporting such instances will not eradicate this menace from the civilized society.  What is required is an enactment and implementation of tough anti-rape legislation.  It ought to encompass provisions that any time sex/rape offender is found guilty of this crime, he will be behind bars for a long time without parole, and God forbid, if victim dies due to this heinous act, the offender will be executed without any delay in the execution of this order.  Also, on a national basis, there should be specific courts just to handle rape cases so that the judgement against these criminals is awarded in a very short period of time - may be weeks, not in months and years.  Also, irrespective of criminal's association, affiliation and the status in a society, no outside interference will be accepted and tolerated in this matter.  Anyone who even tries to influence the judiciary's judgement, will be considered as equal participant and ought to be penalized severely.  The idea of an enactment and implementation of this draconian law is to make a country safe, respectful and peaceful where all human beings irrespective of their age and gender can live with each other without fearing each other.  However, this needs a leadership at both center and state levels - leadership with a strong spine and mentality of national well-being.  Do we have it?

India has provided to Pakistan many a times the relevant details about the whereabouts of Mr. Dawood Ibrahim - his residences and other properties both in Pakistan and Dubai.  India along with the US State Department and United Nations have declared him an international terrorist.  In spite of all this, Pakistan has not and it seems is not willing to take any action to hand him over to the Indian government.  Also, this writer is baffled that there is no action or pressure put by the US government or the United Nations authorities on the Pakistani government to hand over this culprit to the Indian government.  Instead, as we know from the dossier presented by the Indian government, Pakistani government has issued its passports not only to Mr. Dawood Ibrahim but to all his family members also.  What does it say?  It shows that there is a collusion between this culprit and the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI to provide him full protection.  Pakistan does not care about what US and UN think about this matter.  It also shows that Pakistan has no interest in ameliorating relationship between India and Pakistan.  Pakistan does not want to be part of the solution, it remains to be part of the problem. Therefore in my opinion, any effort to hold any dialogues with the Pakistani authorities is a waste of time, energy and resources.   

The decision on the part of an Indian government to detain these separatists at the Delhi airport is correct.  Also, the decision as to what is ultimately decided or not decided about Kashmir rests with the Indian and Pakistani representatives and has nothing to do with these separatists who are pawns of Pakistan - surviving on the mercy of a nation across the border.  If these separatists are true Indians and sincere about seeing a meaningful outcome about the issue of Kashmir, they will not allow Pakistani and ISIS flags unfurl on  the Indian territory.  They have no allegiance to India and, in my opinion, ought to be declared as 'traitors' and put behind bars without parole.  If India scuttles tomorrow's meeting between NSAs, it will be the right decision.

National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on August 23rd to, hopefully, sort out differences between two countries.  As we know, the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI is never in favor of ameliorating relationship between India and Pakistan and try their best to derail this effort.  The trick they play is to send invitation to the Kashmiri separatists to meet Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi right before this summit meeting is due to take place.  This of course upsets the Indian government, and last year, under this scenario the impending meeting between both NSAs was cancelled.  However, this writer is baffled to note that the scheduled meeting on August 23rd is on schedule even though the Pakistani nexus has played the same trick by inviting the Kashmiri separatists to meet the Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi.  I wonder why?  Is India taking a different stand this time under some kind of diplomatic pressure or is it portraying its flexible nature to see to what extent this can damage the existing scenario in the Kashmir valley?  Whatever the reason or circumstances may, one thing is sure that India should not expect any wonders from this impending summit meeting.  This will be a complete failure and waste of time and energy.   India ought to know that till the Pakistani military status is over powering the elected civilian government in Islamabad, the relationship between India and Pakistan cann't be improved.  We have been seeing it for the last 68 years and we can wait another 68 years or more, we will find the same status quo.  Choice lies with India.

What is happening in the UK is not new and unknown to the authorities.  Muslims Shias and Sunis both - are creating headache internationally especially they are exploiting the soft tenets of Constitutions in the democratic countries.  Therefore the only way to control this headache is to mend Constitutions in all the democratic countries and the amendment ought to specifically state that any one inciting anti-national and/or anti-religious sentiments which is perceived as a security issue to a given country should face a long term imprisonment without parole.  This is applicable only to the citizens of that specific country.  All illegal Muslims should be shunted out to their respective countries.  It will be cheaper and less annoying to defray their deportation expenses in the long run.  However, this needs a strong bunch of leaders internationally with the courage not to worry about the Muslim voting banks at the cost of their national security.  County's security ought to take precedence.  Just by making anti-Muslim diplomatic statements will not solve this riddle.  It needs a pro-active approach before this menace becomes formidable.  My hint is specifically to the leaders in the USA, Europe and India.  Are they listening?.

The impending NSAs meeting in Delhi this month is another futile effort on the part of India to expect some miracle.  India's wish list such as handing over Mr. Dawood, early action against the perpetrators of 26/11 attack in Mumbai and on-going ceasefire violations on the LOC is as it says a 'wish list'.  India ought not to hold its breath to see something concrete coming out of this meeting.  Pakistan is not going to do anything on these issues because the civilian government in Islamabad has no authority to discuss these matters with the Indian government.  The final authority and decision lies with the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI.  Be prepared, Mr. Aziz is going to raise a Kashmir issue too.  Is India ready to give Pakistan what it is going to ask for?  Definitely not.  So, how can India expect anything concrete coming from Mr. Aziz in this meeting.  Hence, this meeting is going to be another hogwash get together to show to the world that these two nations are still talking and trying to improve relationship which is just impossible.  Pakistan cann't forget India's role in 1971 in dismantling Pakistan and creation of now a Bangladesh.  The only way India can make Pakistan irrelevant is by further dismantling Pakistan - help Balochs to gain independence from Pakistan and assist Sindhis and people in the Province of KP to break away from Pakistan.  Pakistan should be left with  only one Province Panjab.  There is no other way to get rid of this headache across the Indian border, short of full fledged war.

The scenario in the South and East China sea is very convoluted and contradictory.  China along with the whole world admits that this is a disputed territory, but former's assertion that it  does not and will not allow any foreign ship or aircraft to violate the sea lane and airspace.  What is confusing to this writer is that if if it is a disputed territory, it means that China does not own it.  So, how can it claims its ownership on the international water and what authority it has to dictate its own terms to the international navigational and aviation equipment.  Recently UK and the USA along with other countries in the South China Sea have refused to accept China's claim on these waters, but no country has the guts to demolish the structure China has constructed in that body of international water.  I wonder what scares each of these countries.  Are they afraid that any military action to demolish this structure might start WWIII or are they scared of adverse economic outcome?  Whatever the reason may be, simple diplomatic statement against this structure is not going to stop Chinese hegemonic attitude to grab any territory they can.  What is needed is a strong military action against this construction project to enable peaceful and easy navigation in that part of the ocean.

The impending meeting between the National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan is meaningless as other meetings held in the past 66 years.  Indian leaders have been hoping against hope that something concrete will come out to create a peaceful and meaningful relationship between these two nations.  Unfortunately, that has not happened so far and this writer is very pessimistic about any fruitful outcome in the foreseeable future.  Any time the leaders in New Delhi and Islamabad try to initiate action towards developing better relationship and peaceful atmosphere, an untoward incidents happen to derail that objective.  The latest instance is what happened in Gurdaspur, Panjab and Udhampur in the state of J & K right after the meeting between Modi and Nawaj Sharif in Ufa, Russia.  Therefore, one can see that the problem is not with the civilian governments in Islamabad, but the real culprit is the nexus of Pakistani military/ISI which does not think it is in their best interest to see any improvement of relationship between India and Pakistan.  Hence, the plea whether or not India produces evidence each time there is a militant attack from Pakistan, is baseless and useless and a sheer waste of time, resources and energy.  It is not going to do any good unless Kashmir issue is settled.  As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, both India and Pakistan have made a very clear categorical statements at each level of government establishments not to let go Kashmir.  So, it is a catch 22.  If India is not willing to let go Kashmir, then why bother keeping these meetings?  Am I missing something?

Mr. Aziz's statement sounds like a broken record.  What he is saying is nothing new.  All his predecessors had been copying each other and repeating the same thing again and again. Like others, Mr. Aziz is emphasizing that Pakistan wants to have good relations with its neighbors through exchange of dialogues which includes all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.  On one hand, he says that Pakistan wants to discuss issues to maintain peace in the region while on the other hand, his government is not doing anything to take action against non-state militant actors moving around with full impunity in his country.  These militants have been sending their proxy soldiers across LOC to create havoc in India.  Recent two instances are live examples; one in Gurdaspur, Panjab and the other one in J & K.  One of the militants has been arrested by the Indian security forces in the J & K state who has been revealing his place of residence, who supported him to come to India and attack the Hindus.  His father in Pakistan has also confirmed the identity of his son who is in the hands of Indian security forces, even though the government of Mr. Aziz has denied again about his identity.  What a shame.  Mr. Aziz ought to know that the world is not stupid to be fooled time and again about the mischievous acts Pakistan plays at the LOC.  These low ball tactics will not help resolve any outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.  What is needed is a serious, honest and very frank intent to come to the table to negotiate on any issue.  Also, it needs an authority to make a final decision on the spot which, I think, is going to be very difficult for Mr. Aziz's government to do because the civilian government's hands are tied behind its back by the nexus of Pakistani military/iSI.   Can Mr. Aziz deny this scenario?  I doubt very much.  India should not waste time to get involved with Pakistan on any issue unless they mend their action, ideology and behavior towards India.  However, this writer is also watching what type of military response is in the works against two militant attacks cited above so that Pakistan will think twice before initiating any such action again.