Recent developments in Pakistan, the provocative statements issued by their politicians and the military buildup along the border demonstrate that Pakistan is a great deal more zealous for a war than India is, bringing back memories of the Kargil war, where Pakistan launched offensives on an unsuspecting India for no apparent reason. It does make one wonder what exactly is going on in the minds of Pakistan’s Leaders. No matter whoever comes to power, they always appear to be more obsessed with India than they are of their own people and the development of their country. Over the years, Indian government has made innumerable attempts to patch up things with Pakistan for better bilateral ties, yet somehow it always boils down to a tense affiliation.

Why are they so fixated on us? We have definitely grown beyond Pakistan and have left them far behind where progress and economic development is concerned. Are they unable to digest our prosperity? Has their irrational jealousy gotten out of control and is the reason for innumerable attacks on India in the name of terrorism? Indian’s are least interested in Pakistan’s affairs. Do they hate being ignored and this repeated incursion on our soil by their terrorists and ISI men a cry for attention? What do they really want? Is it the Hindu population in India that is infuriating them? Would they have been so incessantly felonious towards India, had Indian population had a greater part of Muslim inhabitants like Bangladesh and other Islamic countries?

Let’s debate if the government of Pakistan really represents its people? Are they speaking the common man’s language? It’s no hidden fact that the country is plagued by poverty and unemployment, yet the government instead of paying attention to the welfare of their own people, gives the impression of being more interested in the welfare of Kashmiries, who have yet again demonstrated their loyalty to India by turning out in large numbers, breaking past records, to vote for democracy in recent elections. Do the people of Pakistan dislike India as much as their leadership does? Do killing innocent Indians, just because they are not Muslims give them that sadistic pleasure? It definitely is a triumph to the radicals that their politicians are sheltering in their country. I have come across so many educated Pakistanis and they appear friendly, so much unlike the impression their politicians give us.

Behavior of Pakistani leaders have always been erratic, they foster terrorists, capture innocent Indian fisher men and put them behind bars and arrest credulous Indian visitors and tag them as spies. When questioned, they make inconsistent statements, blame everything on India, and threaten of a war. Even regarding the recent terrorists strike in Mumbai, no matter what proof you supply, they refuse to acknowledge that Kasab is a Pakistani, even when Kasab’s father and fellow villagers claim him as their own. What do you do with a government that is this obstinate and is just unwilling to mend their ways?

So, how do we handle this neighbor that albeit may not be a direct obstacle to our country’s advancement is still a chronic itch that is beyond arm’s reach? There definitely is no quick fix solution to this problem. We have to continue ignoring them, strengthen our security system and hope that one day they come to their senses and start looking after their own welfare.

Makes you realize that with a neighbor like that, we don’t need an enemy, do we?