Why does Pakistan consider India a threat to existence? Khunfia CIA Document was exposed 32 years ago
26 people died and more than 20 people were injured in a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. A beautiful meadow, where the families used to rest, became a cemetery for their loved ones. The resistance Front (TRF), considered to be the branch of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), has taken responsibility for the attack which is supported by Pakistan. Even though Pakistan has denied having any kind of hand, this script is well known.
But the decades -old truth is hidden behind this latest tragedy, which was seen by the US intelligence department. In 1993, the CIA brought a Khufia Assessment to the world. Inside it, there is a thought that Pakistan is afraid of India- not only economically or military, but also for its existence, India considers India a threat. The name of this document was National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and studied the India-Pakistan relationship and introduced a conclusion: If the war sprinkles, it will probably start with something like Kashmir, and Pakistan will be on the backfoot from the beginning.
What was predicted in 1993
NIE was actually prepared in the leadership of CIA veteran Bruce Ridel. It came at a time when India had recently seen the demolition of Babri Masjid (1992), and Pakistan was struggling with internal instability. The nuclear weapon was a silent danger, which has not yet been tested, but it was assumed that it is real.
Some important things were also written in the document- neither India nor Pakistan wanted war. But Pakistan, feeling dwarf with India’s increasing strength, will probably take action due to fear. This included supporting proxy groups in Kashmir or creating an informal alliance with terrorists to reduce India’s influence.
The TRF was not named in this report as that group did not exist then. But it warned about Pakistan’s strategy to give arms and training to anti -India terrorists to “liberate Kashmir”.
At the core of this report of CIA was an uncomfortable truth to Islamabad. Shakti balance was already bent in favor of India. Economic, military and diplomatically, New Delhi was moving a lot, and Pakistan could not match it. The gap was not just in the ammunition; It was also in the stability of both countries.
Despite all its internal challenges, India had stable governments and growing economy. At that time India was headed by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, and Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister. At the same time, Pakistan was swinging between military rule, political crisis and economic breakdown. His Kashmir policy was not confident, fear inspired.
Also read: Pahalgam attack is not just the issue of India-Pakistan, there is also a third player on the board.