Due to the inaction of Pakistani rulers, a process similar to that of Palestine has begun in occupied Kashmir, where the demographic composition is being altered.
When comparing human behaviors, two terms often come up related to mistakes made by individuals: “Error of Judgement” and “Personality Flaw.” The first refers to a mistake arising from a failure to correctly understand a situation, often occurring only once. A person learns from the experience and responds differently in future similar situations. A “Personality Flaw,” on the other hand, refers to a specific weakness in someone’s character that causes them to repeat the same mistake whenever a particular situation arises, regardless of the consequences.
This behavior can also manifest at the state level, producing results similar to those seen in individual behavior. If we analyze India’s historical conduct, it becomes evident that the country suffers from a personality flaw at the state level. India’s establishment and ruling elite are afflicted by an unfounded sense of superiority, further ingrained by its Western allies. Despite having one of the largest populations living below the poverty line, India acts as though it is a superpower, demanding that all neighboring countries be subservient to it.
Initially, India’s threats and pressure worked on smaller countries, except Pakistan. However, the regional dynamics have dramatically changed, leaving India isolated. Recently, Bangladesh, which Indian Prime Minister Modi once claimed was liberated through Indian sacrifices, has thrown off India’s influence. Bangladesh, which previously had to consult India even for minor decisions, now poses a new challenge to India in the region.
India remains the only country in the region that consistently creates problems for its neighbors while portraying smaller countries as the troublemakers. Meanwhile, at the international level, Pakistan’s rulers have given India the opportunity to alter the legal status of occupied Kashmir at its convenience. Today, Hindu settlements are rapidly being established in occupied Kashmir, aiming to change the Muslim-majority demographics, similar to the strategy used in Palestine.
Regarding the September 1965 War, India and its allies have propagated the notion that Pakistan was responsible for initiating the conflict, although the reality is quite the opposite. Let us shed light on some historical facts.
After Pakistan resolved its border dispute with China in 1963 and Kashmir negotiations with India failed, India grew increasingly anxious and pushed to legally annex Kashmir into the Indian Union.
On October 4, 1963, the Prime Minister of Kashmir, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, announced policy measures to integrate the state into India. Pakistan naturally protested. Despite these steps not being approved by the Indian legislative assembly, on November 27, India’s Home Minister, Gulzari Lal Nanda, announced in parliament that Kashmir had been fully integrated into India. Prime Minister Nehru stated that Kashmir’s special status was not permanent and would gradually be abolished.
In early 1964, Pakistan called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, arguing that India’s actions were deceitful attempts to integrate occupied Kashmir into India. During the discussions, India’s delegate M. C. Chagla declared that Kashmir had already become an inseparable part of India the moment the accession document was signed.
Further aggressive legal measures were taken by India in 1964, with the Indian Home Minister stating that these would render the special status of Kashmir, granted under Articles 356 and 357 of the Indian Constitution, ineffective. This aggression called for a strong response from Pakistan, but Pakistan continued to rely on diplomatic efforts at the UN, which were unfortunately undermined by major powers like the Soviet Union siding with India.
It became clear that international bodies would not act, forcing Pakistan to consider direct intervention to support the Kashmiri people. Operations Gibraltar and Grand Slam were launched, eventually escalating into the 1965 war. Today, India’s irresponsible actions have once again placed regional peace at risk. Pakistan cannot abandon the people of Kashmir to India’s mercy. If the international community remains indifferent, Pakistan cannot afford to do the same.
India’s behavior is not a temporary misjudgment but a persistent personality flaw. It continues to repeat the same mistakes at the state level, leading to repeated conflicts. Pakistan must focus its efforts on ensuring that if another conflict occurs, it should be the final one between the two nations.
This article draws on insights from Russell Brines’ book “Indo-Pakistan Conflict.”