India and Pakistan - Mumbai Aftermath: Keeping Control

The terror attacks on Mumbai have created, and were clearly intended to create, a rapid deterioration in relations between Delhi and Islamabad. With elections looming, and the public demanding action, India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has little choice but to press Pakistan to act against militant groups. But India is well aware that the more pressure it puts on Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, the weaker he becomes, potentially destabilising the country even further. Pakistan’s decision to take action against Lashkar-e-Toiba, the militant group held responsible for the attacks, may stabilise the international situation, but could well result in a domestic backlash.