The Newshour Debate: PM's 'proxy war' punch - 2

In his first direct attack on Pakistan after coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (August 12) accused it of indulging in a proxy war killing innocent people in India as it has lost the power to fight a conventional war. He said the number of army casualties is bigger in the proxy war than in a conventional battle. "It is unfortunate that our neighbour's attitude...they have lost the power to fight a war but they use proxy war. There has been a process of killing innocent people through this proxy war. "How many innocents are being killed? The number of people getting killed through the bullets of cowards is more than those killed in conventional wars," he said addressing Army and Air Force troops on his maiden trip to Leh. The sharp attack on Pakistan by Modi came more than two months after assuming office and in the midst of his peace initiatives.

Modi had invited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other SAARC leaders for his swearing-in on May 26. His remarks also came close on the heels of India's mounting concerns over repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan and increasing number of militant attacks in Kashmir, the latest carried out last night on a BSF convoy at Pampore in South Kashmir's Pulwama district, leaving eight personnel including an officer injured. "They fight proxy war. This is (fight against it) not limited to India but of the entire world. That is why the need of the hour is to have humane forces come together than strengthening one's military might. When all humane forces of the world come together than they will stop those indulging in violence," he said. Flanked by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Governor N N Vohra, Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Modi also spoke of modernisation of Army and the decision to allow FDI in defence sector.

In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Pavan Kumar Verma, MP, Rajya Sabha, JD (U); Maroof Raza, Stra