Pakistan in Sri Lanka: Why India could care less.

To add to the numerous mistakes the LTTE has made over the years, the attempt to exploit the India-Pakistan relations got to be the second greatest (first being of course the murder of Rajiv Gandhi). LTTE’s strategist - whoever it may be – is under the notion that India will interfere in the Sri Lankan ethnic strife should Pakistan play a significant role in the island. Thus was the logic behind attempted assassination of the Pakistani Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the TNA’s failed audience with the Indian PM. But what the LTTE hasn’t grasped is the disconnect between India’s sensitivity to Indian-Pakistani issue in its core context and the general relations between the 3 major sub-continent neighbors. If for example, Pakistan is building a spy station in Sri Lanka to monitor India, yes India would sure get involved in Sri Lanka. But the relations between India and Sri Lanka have never been better for anything of the sort to happen. Relations between India and Pakistan have improved in strides and both would love to build on the diplomatic successes they have achieved in the recent years. But most interestingly, what the LTTE has failed to realize is that in the context of the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict, Pakistan is in fact carrying out what India would like to do but is unable given the political sensitivities back home. Any inteference in Sri Lanka is sure to cause a stir, particularly among Indian Tamils. The relations between the three countries however, will no doubt become stronger than ever and what they all understand is that opportunity is abundant and terrorism is the only hindrance. LTTE has only managed to paint itself into a corner – the same corner occupied by the Islamic fundamentalist and other terrorists groups. India like Pakistan will continue to help the menace of terrorism in the sub-continent but India it will sit out and let Pakistan take on this one.