“This is unfortunate Mr. Pyre, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But every accident, properly viewed, is an opportunity”, dialogue from the movie Bridge of Spies. Movie portrays how two super powers dealt during cold war era when espionage was at the pinnacle. It is important to note that both nations accepted and took responsibility and used the weapon of diplomacy to avoid further escalation. It is pertinent to recall this conversation from the movie when an Indian national, Kulbhushan Jadhav is being held by the Pakistan.
According to one report, former Indian Navy official was abducted by the extremist Sunni group called, Jaishul Adil and seemingly handed over to the Pakistani state. The Sistan Baluchestan-based organization Sunni Baloch insurgent group is infamous for violence in the Iran. The concerned group founded on 2012 reportedly involves in the vicious methods against Shias. Jaishul Adil has been put under terrorist organization by the Iran and not surprisingly Pakistan, its immediate neighbor.
After the arrest of the Mr. Kulbhushan Jadhav, news media of both respective countries went after adding layers to the story. According to the Pakistani foreign office’s official statement, ` Jadhav was involved in subversive activities in Baluchistan and Karachi’. While speaking on the concerned issue in the Rajyasabha, upper house of the Indian parliament India’s external minister, Suhshma Swaraj, rebuffed the allegations of the Pakistan. She further elaborated, he (Kulbhushan Jadhav) is the victim of a plan that seeks to cast aspersions on India to deflect international attention from Pakistan’s well-known record of sponsoring and supporting terrorism’.
As the newer facts surface everyday; array of questions flit around the mist. Why would an Indian spy carry fake Indian passport on a mission? This remains the important question amongst all. It is a general practice to acquire a third party nationality. Considering commander rank decorated officer like Mr. Jadhav would be a natural choice for policy making and definitely not for grass root raw agent’s role. General protocol dictates that it is often low ranking officers are sent on the mission who could possibly take on the high risk missions and mostly get disown by the states if caught. Amidst this increased intensity of emotions India has cancelled maritime dialogue with Pakistan. This indicates consistent Pakistan policy which India requires to put on the table.
Four Miles To Freedom: Escape From A Pakistani POW Camp, a book by Faith Johnston, a Canadian journalist tells the tale of Indian soldiers caught by Pakistan during 1971 and their failed but heroic attempt to return. The book interestingly portrays the non popular picture of war criminals, as the situation if bilateral talk held behind curtains and the far away from the spotlight of the media; it is likely to get success. The Movie Bridge of Spies deals with the same issue, nations respecting the international norms, owning their men and diplomatically communicating. It is therefore India’s failure to come up with the constant and realistic Pakistan policy and Pakistan’s arrogance of not abiding by the protocols like not providing consular access to the Mr. Jadhav, denying legal service remains the root cause of the problem. Thus ,India which wants to be a net security provider in the Indian ocean regions needs up come up with plan to deal with the situations like this. Giovanni Botero, a mayor of Milan in the 15th century, defined a “middle power” as an actor with sufficient strength and authority to stand. India’s road to for the super power goes from the middle power hierarchy ladder. If India wants to take a open stand on Baluchistan then India must be ready to own her men and prepare blueprint for further actions.
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