Lets accepts we live in a hostile neighbourhood

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

What a start it has been to a new year. On the very first day three blasts rocked Guwahati killing 6 and injuring more than 50 people. This has again raised serious questions on the government, the intelligence agencies and security forces. More importantly time and again we have turned a blind eye to the fact that we are surrounded by hostile countries on all sides.

Pakistan since its inception has had only one foreign policy to destroy India. China although not directly involved has been a constant arms supplier to militancy in North East as well as Jammu and Kashmir. Bangladesh is known to provide shelter to the leaders of banned terror outfits in the NE and help them in running camps all along the border.

Can in this situation we think of having bilateral relationships with such countries. 'People to people' is always thought to be a stand out statement to improve relationships with these hostile countries. But question arises can the foreign policies of successive governments in these countries be totally isolated to the feeling of the common masses? If no then we better stop trying to establish 'people to people' contact.

A small country like Israel has been able to survive in a hostile environment because it has insulated itself from its hostile neighbours. In the present environment where our neighbouring countries are nurturing terror outfits we need to insulate our borders. It is far better to remain isolated from our neighbours than to have Indians slaughtered in the streets on a day to day basis.

Coming back to the blasts in Guwahati the people off Assam have to make a tough call now. Some people for long have lend deaf year to the brutalities of the banned outfit ULFA. The choice is between sympathising with a terror group like ULFA or endorsing peace. ULFA no longer fights for the cause of Assam it rather takes orders from the HUJI and the ISI.

The government with the cooperation of the people of this country finally needs to take some hard steps. It is time to talk hard and take hard steps. The supporters of terror should be dealt with firmly. We need a leader who shows a firm resolve to tackle terror rather than beg for peace from our hostile neighbourhood.