OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND INVESTMENTS IN BRAZIL

The world was scared, in the midst of so many, with the conflict between Pakistan and India, in the region disputed by the two countries, Kashmir. A part of India, leaning against the Himalayas, with beautiful lakes and its floating hotels, stunning mountains, with houses leaning against the hills in such a way that wolves cannot enter. And visiting this piece of heaven many years ago, dominated by India and inhabited by Muslims, the radios only broadcast in Pakistani. News and music. And people only talked about independence or joining Pakistan. The few Indians were either from the public administration, the army or the police. The economy, in addition to tourism, carpets and crafts, was poor and based on family agriculture. They didn't use tractors, because it generated unemployment.

And this piece of heaven recently turned, with the murder of 27 Indians by a Pakistani terrorist, an armed conflict between the two countries. India, with 1,438 million inhabitants, of which 300 million are Muslims, and Pakistan, with 212 million. But this comparison is misleading, when we talk about the nuclear weapons that countries have: India, 160 and Pakistan, 165. The conflict that measured the forces and had air combat between French Rafale planes, which Brazil did not want to buy, on the part of India and Chinese fighters on the Pakistani side, showed how easy it is to start a war. The world was definitely on the verge of a nuclear conflict, which fortunately did not happen. But, even with peace, the conflict is not over and has everything to rekindle. In the end, this is the fifth time that the two countries have confronted each other because of this border region.

But, what else happened? The United States said it won't get into the fight. China has carefully observed what happens at its border. The United Nations, nothing. And the world remained more concerned about the end of the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. In other words, we are getting used to wars.

For Brazil, which will host the BRICS meeting, of which India is a founding member, the continuation of the conflict would be a political complicating factor. I would have to take sides. We have a military relationship with India, exercises of the Indian navies and South Africa with Brazil, and a reasonable commercial exchange. But, more than that: the largest Brazilian steel company, Arcelor Mittal is Indian. Another giant, Tata, is carrying out the restructuring of PETROBRAS' computer systems. And more and more. And these investments, in case of a longer conflict, would be affected. Thus, what seems distant, suddenly becomes too close.