India's policy of continued engagement with Pakistan took a blow in the wake of Osama bin Laden's killing in Abbottabad, barely 100 yards from the gates of a Pakistani military academy.
Islamabad's alleged role in shielding bin Laden -- and perhaps other terrorist organizations that pose a direct threat to India -- has driven calls to modify New Delhi's outreach initiative toward its South Asian neighbor. It has also resurrected the question dogging Indian policymakers since the 2008 Mumbai massacre: Should India continue to engage with Pakistan even though Islamabad cultivates terrorist groups as a strategic option and harbors some that target India itself?
Critics contend that India's Pakistan policy has lacked cohesion since the Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people. The operation was executed by Pakistan-based militants allegedly in collusion with elements of the country's premier spy agency, the ISI. Pakistan's denial of involvement in the episode, and its subsequent unwillingness to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks, have vexed New Delhi ever since.