Although Pakistan accuses India of assisting the Baloch, India has always maintained the otherwise. In a meeting with the counselor of Pakistani Consulate in Zahedan of Iran, Sardar Abdul Waheed asserted that India does support the Baloch in Pakistan via its consulates in Afghanistan. Indian consulates in Afghanistan are being used to funnel money and weapons into Balochistan, ¹ a claim that has been denied by India.

Many Baloch have also denied the Indian assistance. In a question whether India supports the Baloch struggle in Pakistan, Dr Wahid Baloch (the President of the Baloch Society of North America) says that we have not seen any help coming from India or any other country so far, but we ask all the nations including India to help us and support our cause for freedom. Pakistan is trying to divert the attention of Indian government and world community from its involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks and other Taliban sponsored activities. They also want to use this (threats in Balochistan and Indian involvement) as a pretext to pave the way to intensify their ongoing military operation in Balochistan and to justify their actions against the Baloch. ²

This indicates that many of the Baloch or perhaps all the Baloch in Pakistan welcome such foreign support. Suleiman Khan, for instance, the United Kingdom-based heir to the throne of the Khanate of Kalat says that India has acquired great influence and power. We are surprised that despite claiming of being a democracy and a supporter of human rights, India has so far chosen not to take a proactive role in Balochistan. ³

But, there are also some contradictory news about the issue, giving reports of Indian involvement in Balochistan. The U.S. magazine, Foreign Affairs (March 2009) published the report of a roundtable discussion on the causes of instability in Pakistan. Christine Fair of RAND Corporation said, “having visited the Indian mission in Zahedan of Iran, I can assure that they (Indians) are not issuing visas as the main activity. Indian officials have told me privately that they are pumping money into Balochistan.” ⁴ But, the first part of the statement is not clear where it says “Indians are not issuing visas as the main activity.” What does it mean? Issuing visa to whom?

Anyway, the Indian reaction countering this statement is not available. But, here another question may arise as why Indian Prime Minister accepted to include Baloch issue in the communiqué with Pakistan’s Prime Minister during the last NAM conference held in Egypt? Does it mean that India has indirectly accepted the claim made by Pakistan that it is supporting the Baloch?

Whatever may be the case, it may go beyond the realistic perception of any state if it does not engage its neighbor politically. India may support the Baloch of Pakistan for obvious reasons. But, one may not know about the extent of their support. The foreign policy of every state is to keep her neighbors busy. Although this policy is not sanctioned anywhere or is not known publicly, this is an underground political activity. Thus, India is not an exception.

But, why then Baloch nationalists deny this? It’s for the interest of both parties (Baloch and India) to deny such illegal link, as this may question party’s reputation and credibility. No country or group in the world approves of its own illegal links. Therefore, one cannot simply expect from the Baloch to openly disclose such connection. Besides, support may not be extended to all Balochi groups or parties; a few of them may enjoy such support.

Notes

(1) Interview with Sardar Abdul Waheed (the Counselor of Pakistani Consulate in Zahedan, Iran), August 2008. I conducted the interview at the Pakistani Consulate in Zahedan.

(2) Interview with Dr Jumma Khan Marri (a Baloch political leader) by rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt, 24 August 2009, news.rediff.com

(3) The Hindu, Praveen Swami, “Baloch leaders back Manmohan on Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration”, 22 July 2009.

(4) Hamid Mir, “Balochistan and India”, 29 July 2009, thenews.jang.com