Q: Coming to UPA govt's response to the killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan army, what exactly is the govt planning?
Tariq Anwar: See, there are two types of forces at work in Pakistan. One section wants to improvise relations while the other section is completely against it. Pakistan army dominates Pakistan's polity as well. Whenever the political leadership tries to improvise relations, the army does something to derail the process. If you remember, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Lahore as part of peace process, Kargil happened. Pakistan army sent intruders to Kargil without taking Pak PM into confidence. We have to be tough, at the same time we need to put diplomatic pressure.
Q: What do you mean by being tough to Pakistan? You are not being tough. Pakistan is just not willing to mend ways.
Tariq Anwar: Being tough means that we should send across the message that we are not weak, but we also do not want to create a situation where war becomes inevitable. War is not a solution. We have fought three times with Pakistan but issues were not resolved.
Q: Don't you think that your approach of not going to war is being wrongly interpreted by Pakistan?
Tariq Anwar: Definitely not. Pakistan is well aware of our capabilities. And they themselves are paying a heavy price for encouraging militancy. Militants are doing something every day in Pakistan.
Q: What do you think about the suspension of Durga Nagpal, the IAS officer, in UP by Akhilesh govt?
Tariq Anwar: I think it was a decision taken in haste. It is being said that the sand mafia was behind the suspension. The govt needs to give an explanation. This will demoralize bureaucracy and it's not correct.
Q: This issue is being given a communal colour as well but the facts including local intelligence input says something else.
Tariq Anwar: I agree it's not correct on part of UP govt to justify the suspension by just saying that she razed the wall of a mosque.
