by Bhumika Ghimire

Created on: February 22, 2009

In past decade or so, India has emerged as a global powerhouse-thanks to its booming Information technology (IT) industry, growing manufacturing sector and middle class families and large pool of technical manpower. Its growing influence has also attracted some unwanted attention form local and well as terrorist and fundamentalist organizations.

The decade that saw India rise also saw the country suffer from pretty horrific violence perpetrated by terrorists and fundamentalists. Last year's attack in the city of Mumbai being one of the many.

In spite of suffering regular attacks, India has remained pretty restrained in its response. Since gaining independence from the British, the country has engaged in war with only two countries-Pakistan and China.

Compare India's response with Israel and the United States. Israel, since its birth has been in a constant state of war with its neighbors. It has even occupied some one else's land- all in response to "terrorist threat" or "national security". India, is also face with terrorist threat but it has not occupied its neighbor's land and held millions captive. I

United States, the great nation that promotes democracy and peace around the world attacked two countries after 9/11. For "national security". Facts prove that attacking Iraq was totally un-necessary and action in Afghanistan have failed to improve the security situation much.

Comparing India with Israel and USA, doesn't it seem that the latter two seem more of a threat to global security than India?

In Asia, India's neighbor Pakistan has been playing double game for long. In front of the world community it appears as working hard to fight terrorism, but it is completely unable to stop Taliban and al-Qaida growing in its own land. Enough evidence has been discovered that prove that Mumbai attacks last year were planned in Pakistan. Even Pakistan had accepted that.

Afghanistan is another trouble spot in Asia. Looking at the actions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it seems highly unfair to single out India as the one causing trouble in Asia.

True, India has made mistakes. For example the situation in Kashmir and the North East have made the country an easy target for terrorists. But facts prove that India has remained restrained and balanced when it comes to responding to terrorist attacks. Imagine the Mumbai attack had happened in US or UK . Pakistan would be a desert by now. So before we judge India let us look at what its neighbors and friends have done.

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