Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has issued a two-day deadline for farmers to harvest their crops near the border. The announcements were made on Saturday from the gurdwaras in villages along the Indo-Pak international border, including Roranwala and Bharopal Bhaini, The Times of India reported on Sunday.
The farmers have been asked to harvest their wheat crop from the fields located beyond the border fence within two days. The announcements and the order echoes memories of 2001 when India mobilized troops along the border with Pakistan.
The measure to harvest crops comes as a precautionary measure. In case there needs to be a military combat, this will ensure better visibility and monitoring of troops across the international border.
The Indian publication also quoted an official of the Border Security Force confirming that heavy security arrangements had been put in place along the international border with Pakistan in Punjab. However, BSF has officially denied making any such request to the farmers.
HOSTILITY PERSISTS, BUT FULL-FELDGED WAR UNLIKELY
Pakistan and India have clashed multiple times in their shared history since independence. However, considering that now both nations possess nuclear weapons, and the threat of an armed combat will go beyond just the sub-continent, it is unlikely that both countries will go to a full-fledged war.
American think tank Robert Lansing Institute says in a recent report that the possibility of a large-scale war is low due to nuclear deterrence. However, the risk of limited clashes, proxy wars, and cyber-attacks is significantly higher, the report says.
Security experts are of the view that Kashmir dispute combined with nationalist politics may lead to continued deterioration in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. However, the global community will side with mediation and peace efforts. China is likely to stand with Pakistan, with the US possibly adopting a neutral stance, and Russia offering to mediate. Despite all this, clashes around the Line of Control (LoC), and air strikes by both nations, even if on a limited scale can pose a serious regional threat.
Also read: Pakistan demands neutral probe into Kashmir attack