Integrity Score 240
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Chapter 2 Definition and Dimensions of Terrorism continues...
Fourth, since the weak use terrorism as an alternate to war as we know it, they do not follow any norms. While efforts have been made in the last hundred years to make war subject to more humane norms and conventions, terrorism has remained without any norms as the most inhuman weapon in the hands of the perpetrators. No norms can, of course, be negotiated with terrorists. Moreover, terrorists do not have identifiable bases, i.e. a return address, structured formal organizations, or ranks in formation. They can be free-lancers, flotsams and jetsams.
Fifth, terrorism impinges on national security since terrorists operate inside a nation with overt or covert, explicit or implicit, support from abroad. A country has national security if it does not have to sacrifice the its interests and legitimate aspirations of the people to avoid violent conflicts, and at the same time stands committed, and able, if so challenged, to defend these interests by war if necessary. National security requires thus a nation’s determination to preserve certain interests at all costs. Foremost among such national interests are: nation’s integrity, political independence, and fundamental political institutions. Thus, in India’s case, national security policy must concern preserving the nation’s territorial integrity, political independence, fundamental democratic institutions, and ancient cultural values. While prior to the end of Cold War every nation had emphasized external security, now internal security has become as important an aspect to national security concerns of the state because of the rise of terrorism. National security, therefore, encompasses both— external and internal.
For example, Pakistan represents an external and internal threat to India. The two nations have gone to war four times in the last six decades. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism affects India’s integrity as a nation as well. Pakistan’s policy-orientation today is motivated by a feeling of revenge arising from India’s role in dividing Pakistan in the birth of Bangladesh in 1971. General Pervez Musharraf himself had referred to India’s role in Bangladesh in the Agra Summit in 2001.
To be continued...