The latest statement by India’s Home Minister claiming that a victory for the Congress-NC alliance in the ongoing assembly polls would be a “win for Pakistan” has sparked considerable debate. It’s a claim that underscores the complex dynamics of Indian politics, security concerns, and the historical tensions between India and its western neighbour. While the comment might seem controversial, it brings to the forefront long-standing issues regarding the National Conference (NC) and Congress parties’ soft stance on Pakistan and the legacy of cross-border terrorism. The National Conference, especially under leaders like Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, has repeatedly called for talks with Pakistan, irrespective of the relentless proxy war waged by the latter. This is a country that has not only lost all three conventional wars it fought with India—1947, 1971, and 1994—but also resorted to intensifying cross-border terrorism. Pakistan’s ISI-backed insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has claimed thousands of lives, and yet, the NC continues to insist on engaging with Islamabad as a solution to the Kashmir issue. This persistent advocacy for dialogue, despite Pakistan’s track record, naturally raises questions about the NC’s priorities. Are they genuinely seeking peace, or are they offering Pakistan a way out to avoid accountability for their ongoing proxy war? The Home Minister’s statement reflects a broader sentiment that the NC, by pushing for talks with a hostile neighbour, is essentially conceding ground to Pakistan, giving it leverage on the international stage.
While the NC’s stance may be questionable, it is Congress that has, in recent years, been embroiled in controversies that seem to align them, albeit unintentionally, with Pakistan’s interests. One of the most damaging examples was when Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, during a televised discussion in Pakistan, was caught appealing to the Pakistani establishment to help “remove” Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A sitting member of the Indian political establishment requesting foreign intervention to destabilize the elected government is not only shocking but borders on sedition. Rahul Gandhi, now the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has also faced allegations of making statements and gestures that seem to echo Pakistan’s narrative on India. During his recent visits to the U.S., he held meetings with individuals who are considered anti-India and made remarks that seemed to portray India as a country on the brink of civil unrest, akin to the situation before Bangladesh’s creation in 1971. Such rhetoric, when made on foreign soil, not only harms India’s image but also gives ammunition to Pakistan, which has long tried to destabilize India by drawing parallels to its pre-1971 East Pakistan situation. The Congress Party, once known for its strong leadership during the wars with Pakistan, has in recent years faced accusations of pandering to elements that undermine India’s security narrative. Statements that call for leniency towards Pakistan, particularly in the wake of attacks like Uri and Pulwama, undermine national security efforts and create a dangerous situations.
The Home Minister’s comments, while seemingly provocative, are rooted in this ongoing battle of narratives. India has long maintained that Pakistan is a rogue state, fostering terrorism to destabilize its neighbours. Any political party or figure in India that appears to support talks or softer policies towards Pakistan risks being viewed as indirectly aiding Pakistan’s goals. The Congress-NC alliance, with its record of making conciliatory overtures towards Islamabad, is therefore vulnerable to such criticisms. In recent years, the Modi government has adopted a tough stance on Pakistan, particularly post-Uri and Pulwama, leading to airstrikes on Pakistani territory and a more assertive foreign policy. This shift has resonated with a large section of the Indian populace, which sees Pakistan as an untrustworthy adversary. In this context, the Home Minister’s statement reflects a broader political strategy—portraying the Congress-NC as being soft on Pakistan is an effective way of discrediting them among voters who prioritize national security. The Home Minister’s statement may seem like an exaggeration, but it is rooted in the complex interplay between national security and electoral politics. As the Congress-NC alliance pushes forward in the assembly polls, their stance on Pakistan will undoubtedly come under further scrutiny. The issue is not just about who wins the elections but about how India’s political class positions itself vis-à-vis Pakistan—a country that, despite losing wars, continues to wage a covert war against India. The electorate, too, will need to decide whether parties like Congress and NC are safeguarding India’s interests or unintentionally playing into the hands of a hostile neighbour.
