ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

In the event of a terror attack, the prime suspect is always al-Qaeda.

Except in India.

In the event of a terror attack, fingers will always start to point towards Pakistan.

That is even if New Delhi has taken care not to do this, as its security forces are still grappling with the surprise multiple attacks launched on two luxury hotels, a Jewish centre and the railway station in Mumbai.

Past incidents of this sort, be it on the London Underground, the Madrid subway or 9-11 have involved bombings, and they struck quick, leaving a carnage to be dealt with. Sustained hostage situations involving or targeting foreigners like this in Mumbai have been rare.

Residents in Mumbai went to sleep last night and again woke up this morning to the attacks still going on. This evening, it still has not come to an end, looping again and again on the news channels. It does not matter how long this will go on for. The unasked question is already on the minds of many.

Can India-Pakistan relations survive the Mumbai attacks?

The more pertinent question for those outside who have now been sucked into this long enmity and distrust though is this:

Can the world survive an India-Pakistan fallout from these attacks?

The two nuclear powered neighbours are showing restraint. But when the question finally has to be asked, what then?

If a Pakistan already struggling with unrest on one border has to fight on another, the repercussions for the region will be proportionately significant as they have been unforeseen.