Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
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- Mumbai Terrorism
- Comment and analysis on the terrorist attacks in Mumbai
Commentary
Beyond Mumbai: Prospects for Indo-Pakistani relationsThe Indian government has defied its own hawks by seeking to work with the Pakistanis and pursue the attackers of Mumbai. Pakistan must now respond in kind and join the Indian government in resisting belligerent voices in favour of those calling for peace. The status quo requires immediate and bold action from both sides, with international patronage, before it is too late.
Enhancing Indian Counter-Terror efforts after MumbaiIndia’s internal security reforms have not matched the pace of the liberalisation of its economy. Counter-terrorism forces lack a unified command, adequate training or resources to meet domestic and cross-border threats. In order to develop a coherent counter-terror doctrine, security reforms must enhance co-ordination between security agencies and government whilst transcending party politics.
The impact of Mumbai on Indo-Pakistani tiesThe right response to these attacks for the leaders of both Pakistan and India is not to cast blame on each other’s government but to foster a spirit of solidarity. In turn, Pakistan must go the extra mile to establish a clear break between terrorists and the rest of Pakistani society and government.
The Mumbai attacks and the Kashmir questionAhead of the national elections in India, and so soon after renewed unrest in Kashmir, eyes will be on the communal tensions in India for answers to the Mumbai attacks.
Mumbai under attack – Dealing with Unknown PerpetratorsTerrorist attacks in India spring from a complex and combustible mix of indigenous discontent, tensions in Kashmir, the pervasive hand of al-Q’aida, and fraught Indo-Pakistan relations. As the dust settles from the Mumbai attacks, it is an open question as to which direction the apportionment of blame and pursuit of the perpetrators may head.