Following the crisis, the necessity for bipartisanship

• The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, has highlighted the fragility of peace in a region burdened by history.

• Political parties often resort to scoring points for electoral advantage rather than forging a unified front, as seen in the Pulwama attack in 2019.

• This cycle weakens the ability to formulate a cohesive and long-term strategy that can fortify defences without compromising democratic integrity.

• National security is a scourge that demands a decisive, well-coordinated response, not knee-jerk reactions shaped by party ideologies.

• India’s history of bipartisan cooperation in response to terrorism, such as the Kargil conflict of 1999 and the Uri terror attack in 2016, demonstrates the importance of national security.

• Examples of bipartisanship across political divides in response to terrorism in various democracies include the United States’ bipartisan response to the September 11 attacks, New Zealand’s bipartisan effort to reform gun laws, and NATO’s membership of neutral countries like Sweden and Finland.

• These examples highlight how nations can unite in times of crisis to prioritize security, unity, and effective action.

Indian Foreign Policy and National Interests

• The author argues that India’s foreign policy is a collective responsibility, not a party matter.

• The author recalls a 1994 incident where Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao appointed Opposition Leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee to present India’s case on Kashmir at a United Nations session.

• The author argues that this episode has not been repeated in the last three decades due to a polarized political landscape.

• The author argues that the Overton’s Window of political mobilisation has become more vengeful, driven by resentment and an obsession to expiate past wrongs.

• Social media has emerged as a tool for divisive discourse, resulting in a shift from grey to Manichaean blacks and whites.

• The author suggests that India’s relationship with Pakistan requires clarity, with no ambiguity in condemning acts of terror.

• The author calls for a non-partisan security doctrine that remains insulated from electoral cycles and provides a clear vision on counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, and strategic deterrence.

• The author encourages bipartisanship in safeguarding India’s security, not just in words but in action.