Since last August, India and Pakistan have indulged in exchanges of rhetoric that have stirred fears of another conflict.
It would be easy to dismiss the war of words as political noise typical of the mutual animosity that has so often characterised their relationship.
Commentators usually limit their references to the two wars fought in 1965 and 1971, but there have been four other regionalised conflicts of significance. That’s six campaigns of varying intensity in the 68 years since they attained independence from British colonial rule, or one per decade on average.
Cynical as it might seem, the unschooled observer could quip that another conflict was due. Indeed, that average would have been maintained, had the international community not intervened in 2002 and 2008 to keep the peace.
That may well have been at the back of the minds of the senior UN and US government dignitaries who placed calls to the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers this month to ask them to tone down the rhetoric.
There may not have been any troop movements to indicate brewing trouble, but the behaviour of the two countries since they demonstrated their nuclear weapons capabilities in May 1998 certainly supports a better-safe-than-sorry diplomatic approach.
That’s also why this commentary will not participate in a blame game. There are no good or bad guys in geopolitics, just interest-driven agendas that usually have little to do with the interests of the 1.5 billion people in both countries. The means deployed by one might seem more despicable than the other, but it’s the end being pursued that’s relevant.
What’s certain is that the people in charge of both countries have shown little regard for the mutually assured destruction that has accompanied the building of their respective strategic military capabilities.
Chest-thumping nationalism has become the defining characteristic of the region’s politics.
It is accompanied by paranoia, which politicians on either side of the border use to distract domestic audiences from the social issues that are their direct concern.
They do so because it’s easier to harness resentment about their poor quality of life by redirecting it against an enemy people know little about, than it is for a government to do its job.
The Cold War is a comparable example and an appropriate reference in this case, because India and Pakistan are engaged in an aggressive expansion of nuclear weapons arsenals.
Both countries reportedly possess about 100 nuclear warheads and that stockpile is growing. They have mastered plutonium enrichment. They are rushing to complete the triumvirate of air-, land- and sea-based launch platforms, a capability achieved in the 1960s by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
In India’s case, the build-up is driven as much by its rivalry with China, Pakistan’s closest ally. Fortunately, that relationship isn’t blighted by the same vitriol, and border disputes are usually demonstrated by flag-waving troops rather than by the exchange of ordnance. Asia breathes easier because of that.
It’s worth noting that the current administrations in Beijing and New Delhi have displayed much maturity in discussing their differences. They haven’t allowed them to stand in the way of partnership between their economies.
That working relationship has also been a major contributor to reducing the likelihood of conflict in the Subcontinent.
The lesson contained therein is that the disputes between India and Pakistan are resolvable. Hawks make peace better than doves, because they dominate the political narrative.
That was demonstrated during negotiations held between 2003 and 2006, when a Pakistani military junta and an Indian Hindu nationalist government found innovative, common-sense solutions to territorial disputes.
Unrelated domestic development prevented the signature of a final agreement that would have been a defining moment in Asian history.
Until circumstances and political will bring the South Asian adversaries back to the table, they would be well- advised to think long and hard about their actions and words.
A good starting point would be to build public awareness about the dangers of a future conflict.
Evil forces beyond the control of either India or Pakistan are cutting a bloody course across the Middle East, and have begun setting up shop in the subcontinent.
They would like nothing better than the two countries to take their enmity beyond the point of no return, because it would create space for the kind of insanity that is now prevalent in Iraq and Syria.
However distant it might seem, to ignore that prospect for the sake of self-glorification would be irresponsible in the extreme.
Tom Hussain is an independent journalist and political analyst in Islamabad
On Twitter: @tomthehack
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (All UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (11.30pm)
Saturday
Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)
SC Paderborn v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)
Sunday
Cologne v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
Mainz v FC Schalke (9pm)
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
The%20specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com