All said and done, however, it is not for nothing that Chandrika Kumaratunga has chosen to take a plunge at this time. If her calculations go right, she may re-emerge as the country's stronger president next month to chart the nation's course for the next millennium. The author is a retired Brigadier of Bangladesh Army. There are good reasons for India to be wary of the military ruler in Pakistan. The military coup in Pakistan confronted New Delhi with a totally new situation.
Democracy alone can best guarantee peace, understanding and cooperation among nations.
We are watching the situation with careful attention. We had initiated the composite dialogue process and sought to reinforce it through the Lahore Declaration. Pakistan must stop cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other regions of India and also put an end to hostile propaganda against India. This was followed by a military takeover in Pakistan. India, today, is watching the situation in Pakistan and is prepared to engage in peaceful discussions with Pakistan, once the atmosphere of trust destroyed by armed intrusions has been restored.