Indian Government to take a leaf out of BCCI book

I would have loved to start the blogging in the new year with positive things. But I am afraid, I may have to go back to the Mumbai attack or rather the post Mumbai attack scenario.

The Mumbai attack has seen the end of Shivraj Patil's reign. Chidambaram has started off reasonably well under the circumstances. The necessary laws have been tightened, NSA has been established and an internal security advisor has been appointed. It will take a while for the changes to come into effect, if at all. But at least it is a small step forward in our fight against terror.

What is galling is the absolute lack of abdiction of responsibility with respect to the Mumbai blast. It is true that Pakistan terrorist were behing the blast. It could also be true that Dawood Ibrahim was behind the blasts. But, such an attack could not have happened without local support. It is worthwhile to note that the Government has been very silent on this, and the people have accepted this hook, line and stinker.

Also, as a citizen of a proud nation, it is utterly reprehensible that we have abdicated the responsibility of the investiation in favour of the FBI. It is as if our responsibilty ends with giving the data to FBI. What a shame! Today P Chidambaram has declared that he is flying with evidence to show to US. This baffles me. Are we an independent nation or are we a vassal of USA? Are we telling the world that 60 years since we got independence, we dont have the polich machinery and the judicial system to bring the culprits to book and that we want others to do the dirt job for us?

USA is never going to back us again Pakistan. Their geopolitical interest is tied too strongly with Pakistan for them to ditch them. It is not as if USA or other Western powers do not know that Pakistan is a rogue state. They have known this for decades. But they need Pakistan to get a foot hold into Afghan, which in turn borders Iran. Also Pakistan is close to China. This makes them turn a blind eye to whatever Pakistan does. The Pakistan hand in the London blasts were very clear. Even there, USA did not do much to help its closest ally Britain. Then what chance do we have?

The paradigm of external threat has changed. This threat cannot be tackled using conventional army or conventional intelligence operations. We need to be aware of this. What we need is a network of agents (assets) across the rogue nations who will tip us off in advance of any attack. We need small, quick strike forces that will strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. These forces shall fly in the sly, attack terrorist camps and neutralize them. We need a zero tolerence towards any indian citizen who supports terrorism. The law should be swift and separate. Take them in, try them and hang them. Internal intelligence gathering should be tightened. The onus should be on prevention, rather than post attack evidence chasing.

Finally, what to do with Pakistan? Certain people understand only certain languages. We can and should isolate Pakistan locally and internationally. We can start with SAARC countries, who knows which side of the bread is buttered. Blackade Pakistan, cut off trade, show them we can hit them where it hurts most, economically. And take a leaf out of Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI)'s book. It took BCCI nearly 2 decades to take the reigns of ICC. Today the financial clout of BCCI makes everyone grovel. We need to do this. We are the emerging economy. Create a strategic plan to take over World Bank, ADB and IMF, through sheer economic clout. Then, then we can turn the screws on rogue nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Let us start now. At least the next generation will be free of these pests.