The Good Fight Pratap Mehta on the Global Crisis of Legitimacy
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May 14, 2025 Pratap Mehta, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research and a distinguished educator at Princeton, dives into pressing global issues. He discusses the rising nationalism and identity crises affecting liberal democracies. The conversation turns to the troubling India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir, exploring historical tensions and military strategies. Mehta highlights the legitimacy crises faced by various regimes, including China and Iran, and examines how globalization further complicates political identity and societal expectations in today's world.
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Kashmir is a Pretext for Pakistan Identity
- Kashmir acts mainly as a pretext in India-Pakistan conflict; Pakistan’s identity crisis and military legitimacy drive the tensions.
- Pakistan’s army relies on Kashmir conflict to maintain internal legitimacy and anti-India ideology unites Pakistan internally.
Indian Muslims Stand With India
- Indian Muslims overwhelmingly support the Indian state despite tensions with Pakistan.
- This unity contradicts Pakistan’s hope that Indian Muslims would turn against India amid Kashmir conflicts.
India’s New Military Doctrine on Terrorism
- Modi government shifted India’s doctrine to treat terrorism as war and respond militarily.
- India’s extensive and restrained strikes surprised many by targeting multiple Pakistani cities and alleged nuclear sites.