At the ready

It would have been ideal for both India and Pakistan to coexist as peaceful neighbours. However, the Hindutva mindset of India’s ruling elite, obsessed with dreams of ‘Akhand Bharat’, has mired both countries in endless acrimony and sidelined the millions of Indians and Pakistanis living in abject poverty. Sadly, the Indian mindset shows no signs of changing, and Pakistan must remain prepared to counter any aggression from its Eastern neighbour. Last month’s clashes proved Pakistan is more than capable of doing so and the country must not just maintain but strengthen this capability. Pakistan’s defence budget must give priority to recruiting the best-qualified scientists and engineers to retain technological superiority and make up for what it lacks in numbers. Relationships with friendly countries like China need to be deepened too.

Malik Tariq Ali

Lahore