The fog is still to lift on the operation the Indian forces undertook against militant camps inside Myanmar territory bordering Manipur as the Narendra Modi government finds itself dealing with the fallout of certain comments made by one of its Ministers. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s statement that the operation was a message to all countries inimical to India, predictably set off a furore in Pakistan. At a time when India-Pakistan relations are at a standstill with no sign of a dialogue in sight, levels of rhetoric have risen, much of it coming from Pakistan. Traditionally, “hot pursuit” is a term that has raised Pakistan’s hackles. After the nuclear tests in 1998, senior Minister L.K. Advani’s remarks on “hot pursuit” elicited a high-decibel response from Pakistan. This time, besides a resolution in the Pakistan Senate, the Prime Minister, the Interior Minister and the Chief of the Army Staff have all gone hammer and tongs at India. It is unfortunate that the action in Myanmar has triggered a fresh slide in relations with Pakistan on account of breast-beating and credit-hunting by the Modi government. A robust response to the >killing of 20 soldiers in Manipur on June 4 was called for, but safeguarding the space to conduct such operations in the future is also critical for India’s long-term strategy. As military analysts have pointed out, the >June 9 operation is not the first of its kind undertaken by the Indian Army — which as a force will continue to need the support of the Myanmar authorities. So, while guarding the sanctity of India’s borders and the lives of its soldiers and citizens, the long-term strategy must be to erode the militant strength. In fact, that must be the single-point strategic agenda.
India’s national interest must be kept paramount. Short-term political gains coming from loud statements of the kind made by Mr. Rathore can only damage India’s image and risk antagonising a neighbour like Myanmar. Interestingly, the Minister >used the hashtag #ManipurRevenge while sending out Twitter messages about the operation. Such sentiments, even when they come from a junior Minister, cannot be condoned. At all times the necessary distinction between the actions of a state and those of a terror organisation must be kept in mind. Reports in the Manipur media suggest that so far the local police have not received any report on the Army operation; nor have any bodies of militants been handed over to them. Given the claims made by the government, it is essential that evidence of the “success” of such an operation be shared appropriately. Also, Delhi must reflect on why on such occasions tact and silence may help more than seeking credit and political capital publicly.