It is rather surprising that India has not received any sharp rebuke or international condemnation for accidentally firing a missile in Pakistan last week. Pakistan has sought a joint probe under UN supervision but it is unlikely that India will agree. The United States has also refused to comment on India’s missile launch, saying it was merely an ‘accident’. The world has also not raised any significant concern whether India’s weapons programme and defence system is in safe hands. There have been numerous incidents of gangs being involved in smuggling uranium but it has not raised any conversation on nuclear safety either.
Pakistan has rejected Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh statement on the missile launch who said India was “reviewing procedures” and will fix any shortcomings. Pakistan was not satisfied with the reply and has demanded joint investigation into the incident. Needless to say, Pakistan has expressed immense restraint as such incident could have led a full-blown war.
Military experts have warned about the possibility of accidents or miscalculations by India. Would the world have taken action if the incident had led to an aviation disaster? This incident reminds of Flight MH-17 which was flying over Ukraine in 2014 when a missile strike hit the passenger jet, killing 298 onboard. India’s misfiring and inability to handle weapons technology could have led to a similar or worse disaster.
India has recently defied Western nations and expressed its firm support of Russia amid the Ukraine war, mostly notably for refusing to support UN resolution condemning the invasion. While Pakistan faced stiff pressure from foreign envoys to condemn Russia for its action, similar action was not taken against India which remained defiant behind its strategic partner.
India has managed to maintain a partnership with pariah states and tends to get away with it. It did so with Iran despite mounting pressure from the United States and stiff sanctions. It has used political cloud to prevent against any international intervention in Kashmir, as it atrocities could be exposed, The international community needs to do and condemn India for its rhetoric and actions from violating human rights, weakening of democracy and suppression of minorities as it risk regional and global security.
