Medhaj News: Relief and rescue operations are continuing in Jammu and Kashmir, where unprecedented floods have taken over 150 lives with many more stranded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the situation a 'national disaster' while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that it is a 'Kedarnath 2', in a reference to the deadly floods in Uttarakhand that claimed thousands of lives last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top officials soon after arriving in Jammu on Sunday, announced an additional special assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the state. Describing it as a “national level disaster”, he said, “More assistance will be provided, if required, after a proper survey of the situation has been made.

Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have intensified relief operations. Udhampur-based Defence Ministry spokesman, Colonel S D Goswami said that the IAF had pressed into service 29 planes and helicopters including one C-17 Globemaster, three IL 76 aircraft and boats for relief and rescue operations.



A NEW POLITICAL FRONT

Man made disasters divide, and natural disasters unite. This has proved to be the case once again, with the floods in Jammu & Kashmir helping thaw relations between India and Pakistan.

In what the media is calling 'flood diplomacy', the Prime Ministers of both countries reached out to one another, offering help with relief and rescue operations in flood affected areas.

The exchange is being reportedly seen as an attempt by both sides to reach out after a breakdown in diplomatic talks. Relations between the two countries were firmly on the back foot, after India cancelled foreign secretary level talks, following Pakistan ambassador’s meeting with Kashmir separatist groups despite a request from India to cancel the meeting. Constant ceasefire violations along the Line of Control has also added to the tension.

Saying he had been told that “the damage to life and property was equally, if not more, severe in areas across the Line of Control (LoC),” Modi wrote, “My heart goes out to the affected people and my deepest sympathies are with them and their families. In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif responded in hours, also offering aid and relief to Indian victims of the flood.

After this, the niceties of offering help are a welcome change in shift and tone.

However, it is hard not to see a subtle game of political power play. In offering help to Pakistan first, Modi is also subtly saying that India has the situation under control, and is capable of extending its faculties to Pakistan. It is significant that Nawaz Sharif has not accepted the Indian offer of help, and has in turn offered to help India!

How relations will proceed from this point remain to be seen. Will the two countries put politics aside and focus on strengthening ties instead? Will the J&K; floods be a catalyst for a thawing of relations?