Myanmar operation has changed mindset, those who fear India are reacting: Manohar Parrikar

TNN

New Delhi, 11 June 2015: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday that Indian Army’s operation in Myanmar against northeast militants shows a change in mindset. 

 

Taking a swipe at Pakistan, without mentioning it, Parrikar said that "those people who fear India’s new posture are reacting". 

 

Reacting to growing suggestion that India could repeat a Myanmar in Pakistan if the latter does not crack down on terror groups it has patronized, Pakistan on Wednesday warned against any such "misadventure" inside its territory. 

 

Pakistan is not Myanmar, and India should not think of repeating such an exercise inside Pakistani territory," said Pakistan interior minister Nisar Ali Khan, a day after Indian para-commandos neutralized up to 50 northeastern militants, pre-empting another assault after the one on June 4 in which 18 soldiers of 6 Dogra were killed.

 

Union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore had on Wednesday celebrated Indian Army’s operation in Myanmar as a message to its neighbours who harbour terrorists. 

 

Rathore’s statement, echoed by several of his ministerial colleagues on Wednesday, suggested that such incisions by inimical forces on India’s western borders, or a strong provocation like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, could witness similar action by the Indian Army. 

 

Indian commandos smashed two insurgent camps inside Myanmar territory. Myanmar was told about the cross-border raid when it was half way through.

 

 

The unusual toughness by India was seen as an application of the doctrine of pre-emption that the US has invoked to strike at terror threats, real as well as potential, in diverse locations outside its territory and without being hindered by issues of jurisdiction. 

 

Suggestions by Indian government functionaries that India could launch cross-border strikes against terrorists harboured also by other neighbours seemed to have touched a raw nerve in Pakistan which suffered a huge humiliation when US commandos stormed Osama bin Laden’s hideout in the garrison town of Abbotabad without keeping Islamabad in the loop. 

 

Its unease was indicated by Khan. Stressing that those who harbour "bad intentions" towards Pakistan should open their eyes and ears, the interior minster said, "Pakistani Army is fully capable of responding to any adventurism." 

 

Violations from across the LoC and provocative statements from Indian ministers have become routine, interior minister Nisar said, adding, "Pakistan won’t be affected by statements issued by Indian ministers every other day... India should know that Pakistan wants peace but would never accept its dominance. India should stop day-dreaming about it."