Few days ago, I have read an article by T J S George, in which he says, most categorically that we learned nothing from Mumbai's terror attack. Will we learn something from Pathankot?" It was indeed an interesting read. It is a fact that we have failed to learn from the past. It is also a high time that our Intelligence Depts, reorganised themselves to keep the country safe from terror.
   The Pathankot assault was rude shock that Pakistan's elected leaders do not have any influence on many things connected with army or militants. This is evident, because our PM's lunch, with Shariff, has met with a setback.The resumption dialogue has been put-off by the developments beyond the control of both sides. Here the blessing in disguise, is that Pakistan tacitly accepts that men who stormed the airbase were probably theirs. Secondly, the Indian response has been very cautious. Even the tone of the opposition was also very moderate .All over the world, every country's Govt has an army but in the case of Pakistan it seems more like, it is the army that owns the Govt. Therefore any parleys between India and Pakistan can be effective only if the signatures of armed forces are appended to any agreement. India may insist upon this and its allies across the world may hold this condition of India as just and the only guarantee for any Indo-Pak agreement to be honoured in word and deed.
   In this connection I have read one more article "to talk or not to talk.." by Rakesh Sood, the developments after Pathankot attack, suggest that policy of "Talk, wait, watch, talk" might work this time in dealing with Pakistan. Pakistan's response was positive, quick and has resulted in some arrests. Also the comments from Pakistan's greatest benefactors, US and China, about the attack are pro -India and persuasive. Going ahead with talks in this scenario will only help mobilise world opinion, in India's favour.
     If you analyse, Pakistan is now on tenterhooks after Pathankot but it is not so much due to India's expected response but because, Kerry of US, called Shariff to get to the bottom of the issue and Pakistan can not afford to play games with US unlike India, as it relies very heavily on US for financial and military assistance. But here again let us remember that the US has an unsavoury reputation of running with hare and hunting with the hounds and India would be making a mistake if it were to rely wholly on US for justice. In the end we may have to fight our own battles and having already given Pakistan a long rope, people feel that the time has come to plan for some serious action.
      While Modi has been very cautiously responding to the situation our Defence Minister said, "pain must be inflicted on those who hurt India." This caters to the emotions of millions of Indians disgusted by Pakistan's policy of exporting terrorism. But what did the Defence Minister really mean by the said statement? Is he pointing out at the Indian policy of promoting terrorism on Pakistan's soil? Every one knows that Pakistan is already making baseless allegations of Indian involvement in terrorist crimes inside Pak. Infact Pakistan is the victim of its own deeds but it wants to blame India.The Defence Minister's statement gives credence to it. A militarised state like Pakistan can only afford to foment cross border terrorism, but democratic India with free press, Independent Judiciary, with multi party political system can never follow Pakistan .
   The Defence Minister's hot pursuit policy recourse was often demanded by BJP leaders while in opposition but in Govt they realise it's complex intricacies. Hot pursuit means, what, India crossing the Pakistan border to bomb the terrorist infrastructure, only US can do this as Pakistan's military establishment is in its control, but how can India enjoy that privilege?
  At a time when Pakistan is increasingly isolated and exposed of its involvement in such acts of terror, any such hot pursuit would only illegitimise India's claims and actions in the eyes of International community .Complex questions like terrorism do not have quick fix solutions?