Modi’s willingness to probe the limits of escalation — both horizontal and vertical — marks a new phase in India’s troubled relations with Pakistan. Delhi was also paralysed by the fear of “internationalising” the Kashmir question and inviting “third party mediation” into India’s disputes with Pakistan. A deeply defensive India in the 1990s believed negotiations with Pakistan were necessary to resolve the impasse in Kashmir. Few political leaders in India have been more vocal in their criticism of the previous governments’ Pakistan policy than Modi. Unlike the Congress party, which played safe on both war and peace with Pakistan, Modi has taken a series of risks with Pakistan.

Source: Indian Express September 23, 2016 18:33 UTC