Reema Shaukat
War surely is not an easy but costly business and nota matter of single daybut may go on for ages. Its outcome persists for years to come and many at times, relations between the warring countries are dependent on the bitter experiences of the past. Still, if a nation takes the risk of going to war, it should do so with tenacity and engaging all available elements of national power to achieve the anticipated objectives. Same goes for India Pakistan 1965 War which could not bring those desired goals which both nations thought of. Rather, Indo – Pakistan War of 1965 symbolised that deep distrust and relentless hatred between the two countries which endures even today.
Since partition, Indo Pak traditional rivalry continues at present where Kashmir, left as unfinished agenda of partition seeded the beginnings of conflict which arepersevering under Indian hegemonic designs, even now. India started legal ploys to wear away the disputed status of Kashmir through constitutional changes and to bring it at parity with other Indian states it imposed presidential rule apart from extending other Indian laws in Kashmir. Shocked by such Indian move, Kashmiri people launched a movement against India which was largely supported by Kashmiri masses. But an unfortunate incident of theft of Moo-e-Muqaddis (holy hair of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) from Hazratbal shrine amplified tensions in the Kashmir. Pakistan again moved for settlement through UNSC in February and May 1964, however, threat of USSR to veto caused unsuccessful actions. To resolve Kashmir dispute, Indo-Pak 1964 talks held at Karachi constrained Pakistan to look for other means to resolve this issue. In April 1965, Indian armed forces engaged Pakistan into border clashes in Rann of Kutch, which ended with a ceasefire but brought global and domestic humiliation to India. Therefore, the efforts of resolving Kashmir dispute diplomatically went into vain as the Indian chauvinism was well exposed by the Rann of Kutch skirmish. The global environment at the time of 1965 warpredominantly was based on Bloc Politics and Pakistan was seen as ally of Western Block whereas, the Sino-Indian border dispute in 1962 happened during the Cuban missile crisis and the developing differences between China and the then USSR gave new room to world politics. The USA saw an opportunity to prevent India from falling into Soviet trajectory and clinch it into Western bloc, however Pakistan too was a front line for USA in her policy of containment of Communism. Therefore USA, offered Pakistan assistance in form of entry into SEATO (1954), CENTO (1955) and Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (1959). US helped Pakistan militarily on the conditions that the equipment provided will be not be used against non-communist countries but following Rann of Kuch episode, USA first reduced and later stopped Pakistan’s aid during 1965 war.After Hazratbal incident, US became moreindifferent towards Pakistan blaming that it brought Kashmir issue in UNSC purely for its internal propaganda. Indian inclination towards Soviet Union and Sino-India conflict brought about a major alteration in USA policy in this region. After Sino-Indian War of 1962, United States became more closely associated with India by providingit military and economic aid. Besides, India after the 1962 fiascowent on board with a New Defence Plan, which rendered 100% increase in defence budget and accounted for an increase in the defence spending from 3% to 5% of national income. In material terms, it meant an increase in manpower from 600,000 to 869,000 and increase in the number of divisions for land forces from 9 to 15.
Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar and Grand Slam to freed Kashmir militarily as world seemed less fretful on Kashmir dispute but India waged a full scale military attack on Pakistan in September, 1965. With lesser number of combat forces on ground, water and air Pakistani soldiers fought valiantly and proved that despite limitations in equipment their determinationwas not limited which helped them to be victorious. However, Pakistan somehow was not stronger on political front and it was felt that the Pakistani leadership with little knowledge about operational strategy, launched a perfunctory war. The war with much ups and downs could not bring an outcome to Kashmir other than deadlock. It is interesting to note that at the end of War, both sides claimed victory. Indian fabricated its victory with capture of territory and warranting security of Kashmir while the Pakistani claim centred upon the notion of successful defence against meaningless Indian aggressionin spite of limited resources.
Now when both India and Pakistan have become nuclear powers, both cannot afford to go for any kind of war as nuclear catastrophe is going to be an all-out worst strategy and exorbitant deal leaving generations to suffer. Kashmir after many years has remained a bone of contention between two countries giving way to many other small debacles. For Kashmir, dialogue process involving all stakeholders is a must and India should accept peace offers by Pakistan as Kashmiris have suffered enough for many decades. As far as military capability and proficiency of Pakistan is concerned it should not be undermined like 1965 war as todayPakistan shines out in its efforts of curbing an imposed war against terrorism on it regardless of many constraints and surely Pakistan’s defence today is much stronger. Time and again,Indian proves of involvement in sabotaging peace in Pakistan brings bad name to India and the present situation in Kashmir has shown Indian brutality and stubbornness to the world now. Whether it’s a military coup or selected democratic government designs a concept of conquest that should be in accordance with global environment and domestic socio political atmosphere as Pakistan mainly was at political setback in wars with India.National leadership must think and understand the stages on escalation ladder as both countries now cannot afford any mishaps under nuclear umbrella. National and foreign policy goals matter the most in winning any situation and Pakistan needs to have focussed foreign policy objectives in order to deal with its adversaries. War being an extremely expensive undertaking should be chosen as extension of policy and a very last option available, as words of Martin Luther King, Jr. can be well related here that,”Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows”.
