Good neighbours
69
IT’S not often when a navy warship, decisively primed for conflict, shows its country’s ‘soft’ side, that too to its ‘enemy’.
But that’s what happened when the Pakistan Navy frigate Aslat, which is equipped with missile launchers and anti-submarine rockets, hosted 11 Indians among the 36 foreigners and 146 Pakistanis on their three-day journey out of strife-torn Yemen to Pakistan.
The remaining foreign nationals were from China, the Philippines, Syria, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan and Canada.
Take a look: India accepts Pakistan's offer of special aircraft to bring back citizens
The navy clearly pulled out all the stops in an effort to play the hospitable host. It seems in fact that they did it so well that by the time the passengers disembarked at Karachi port on Tuesday to an enthusiastic welcome, they — including even the Indians — were cheerfully waving the Pakistan flag.
Not quite the sight that warmongers on either side would relish but a triumph for track-3 diplomacy nonetheless. The bonhomie was evident in the remarks of the passengers about their trip, which the UK nationals described as having been akin to a luxury cruise.
They also mentioned the fact that the ship’s crew had very thoughtfully prepared a special Easter Sunday dinner for them.
The arrival of the Indians to Pakistan’s shores was followed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s offer to send them home on a special flight, which was accepted by the Indian government.
In this brewing conflict, Pakistan and India have been good neighbours, with the latter also evacuating some Pakistani nationals from Hodeida a few days ago.
The cooperation we have just witnessed is a relief from the hostile posturing by the two countries from time to time.
Some years ago, there was similar cause for celebration when several Indians kidnapped by Somali pirates were released through the efforts of the Pakistani government.
Just as strategic interests can bring together strange bedfellows in a war, humanitarian impulses can engineer a counter-intuitive situation. Where India and Pakistan are concerned, such an opportunity is no less than PR gold.
Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2015
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Comments (69) Closed
Apr 09, 2015 02:29am
And don't forget India rescued Pakistanis as well from yemen- I know our media doesn't like to cover such news.
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Apr 09, 2015 04:09am
Even simple humanitarian efforts become a cause for celebration. Just goes to show how far off from normalcy these countries are. And expecting a big thanks and acknowledgements and brouhaha for a simple act of help is rather silly.
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Apr 09, 2015 05:26am
Who would've though Modi's govt. could actually reach out to Pakistan for its humanitarian assistance to stranded Indians in war torn Yemen.
Now if only the ultra-nationalist anti-Pakistan Indian media would chill as well, what a beautiful world it would be!
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Apr 09, 2015 07:38am
In good faith Pakistan should give up Azad Kashmir so that kashmiris on both sides can live together without any boundaries , especially since Pakistan is more concerned than India about wellbeing of kashmiris.
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Apr 09, 2015 07:45am
Great effort by Pakistan side to trust building and frandship
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Apr 09, 2015 07:46am
Thank you from indian
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Apr 09, 2015 07:51am
Has this made news in India...?
Why did we send them home on a special plane it should have been up to their embassies to arrange their travel onwards.
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Apr 09, 2015 07:55am
Very Good.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:02am
Pakistan Navy, you have done a most hearfelt and humane good deed for which you will receive eternal gratitude from our neighbors : ) So thank you from all Pakistanis, you make us proud !!
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Apr 09, 2015 08:06am
It's wonderful to see this behavior -- human beings to human beings.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:12am
Thank you Pakistan Navy!!! We Indians appreciate your effort....
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Apr 09, 2015 08:15am
Happy faces.Relief.We Pakistani always put 100% efforts try to be a good neighbour.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:36am
Wow, united we stand divided we fall ....Good job
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Apr 09, 2015 08:37am
Peaceful Co Existence between these neighbors, can free tremendous resources from defense spending which these two countries can better utilise for the betterment of the standards of living as well as poverty alleviation programs in these countries.
Only if the War Mongerers in these countries abandon their agenda, the peace dividend that will accrue will be tremendous. These two nations, coming from the same stock will take a quantum leap and will ultimately contribute even to world peace in a big way.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:53am
Thank you India also for evacuating Pakistanis from Yemen. This should be the to way to move forward as war/fight never bring peace...
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Apr 09, 2015 09:06am
Like Pakistan, India has also already evacuated over 4500 of its citizens from Yemen and over 500 of other nationalities. It also has a Minister stationed there traveling regularly between Djibouti and Sanaa overseeing evacuation. The Ambassador is also very much there in Yemen along with a dozen staff coordinating efforts. Evacuees have been moved by both Air Force transport aircraft as well as Navy Frigates, which has been a lot easier because the Indian Navy maintains strong presence around the Gulf and Horn of Africa. Hope everyone is evacuated safely.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:06am
Thanks. Thanks a lot for your consideration and warmth.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:09am
Thank you Pakistan for bringing back Indian citizens..This shows real duty of Defence forces..Serve towards Humanity.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:09am
Its encouraging, we both are cooperating each other for an alien threat!!! Just remove alien and be cooperative like this always to each other.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:09am
India too rescued people from other countries including locals. But not asked them to carry Indian flag.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:14am
Good Job Pakistan
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Apr 09, 2015 09:36am
Good job Pakistan Navy ! Proud of our Armed Forces !!!
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Apr 09, 2015 09:36am
I wish such initiatives are furthered by both India and Pakistan to ensure that these two highly populous nations work closely for the betterment of the conditions of their respective peoples. More than 3 decades of shadow boxing, sometimes real boxing, proxy wars etc. have not helped both the countries. There is a shared heritage and we need to build on positives. Leaderships in both countries need to rise above their immediate instincts to pander and do what will bring lasting prosperity to the two countries.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:37am
Aamin!!
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Apr 09, 2015 09:44am
The acts of rescue of Indians from Yemen by Pakistan navy and expression of gratitude by those Indians waiving Pakistani flag are manifestation of an ingrained desire to help each other and stay together. It is only the politicians of the two countries who want to divide them and keep them apart.
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Apr 09, 2015 09:53am
India too is doing the same, bringing foreign nationals by ship and plane.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:00am
it is proudable for me as a patriotic pakistani ,that our Armed forces are fully aware of their duties ,they not only help pakistani nation in such condition like yemen war ,flood ,etc .but also help other nation....
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Apr 09, 2015 10:10am
Humanity has prevailed.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:15am
let see how Indians going to reciprocate it
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Apr 09, 2015 10:15am
A good gesture from Pakistan.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:19am
I am from Kerala (the state from where most of the 11 hailed from). The local news channels are going overboard about the hospitality offered by the Pak Navy personnel. I heard the rescued people saying that the Pak sailors evacuated their air conditioned cabins for their sake. They also were so happy with the reception they got from you. Thank you Pakistan !!
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Apr 09, 2015 10:23am
This is a great gesture from Pakistan!!!
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Apr 09, 2015 10:29am
Pakistan should extend same cooperation in fight against Terrorism
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Apr 09, 2015 10:35am
Human to Human. Thank You :)
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Apr 09, 2015 10:36am
Even India saved Pakistanis on numerous times but waving Pakistani flags by Indians is wrong. This will send a wrong message.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:36am
"they — including even the Indians — were cheerfully waving the Pakistan flag."
..that shows real indian spirit and respect
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Apr 09, 2015 10:41am
Love and hate both are part of human DNA, one is good, the other is evil. Looking at Indian citizens with Pakistani flag at Karachi port is touching scene of love between the neighbors. We can be better humans if we curb hate and spread love. More chance to get to Paradise, then hating each other on religious lines.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:43am
This is the way to go.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:45am
If Pakistan and India become the brothers that they naturally are, they can shake up the whole world. The Most prosperous in the planet.
We can do this.
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Apr 09, 2015 11:18am
Let us make events like these a norm instead of headline news worthy sole events. We're tired of fighting each other.
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Apr 09, 2015 11:25am
Our generation saw war between I & P.
Please allow these two countries live like US/Canada or UK/France for our future generations.
Power that be, please listen to our prayer.
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Apr 09, 2015 11:27am
This just electrified my impulses. Very happy to have our White men still showing their sanity beyond borders. Proud to be a human and welcome home our Indian brethren.
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Apr 09, 2015 11:30am
@Tranquil I dont think we did this to see what we can get in return -somethings have to be done because they are just right.
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Apr 09, 2015 12:07pm
Thanks to Pakistan for the great help. Let us continue this cooperation in all areas. Let us sink hatred and promote goodwill. Start promoting pleasant atmosphere by stopping the comic drill at Wagah border.
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Apr 09, 2015 12:10pm
@Tranquil Watch BBC news, Air India has brought Canadian, Egyptian nationals safe from Yemen to Djibouti.
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Apr 09, 2015 12:19pm
It is humanity that comes first, then the various nationalities, etc. Well done on both sides of the border! Don't we try to help a stranger on the street who has just tripped or slipped?
Let us extend our hands in friendship and embrace each other for the sake of humanity, cross the borders without fear or unnecessary bureaucratic formalities. Let the parted ones meet each other!
May the leaders of both countries have this common sense. Bring the people together for a common goal.
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Apr 09, 2015 12:36pm
Thank you Pakistan Navy and government for saving our nationals from the crisis zone. Good gesture.
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Apr 09, 2015 12:46pm
@Anon He missed the whole point. Moreover he even missed the article itself, which said clearly "In this brewing conflict, Pakistan and India have been good neighbors, with the latter also evacuating some Pakistani nationals from Hodeida a few days ago." India has also rescued Pakistanis. But as you said these are basic etiquette of humanity, reciprocating does not make any relevance.
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Apr 09, 2015 01:03pm
Good attitude by Pakistani army this time...
Thanks for saving Indians
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Apr 09, 2015 01:06pm
I thank Pak govt. and our neighbours for their generous help on the behalf of Indian people, brothers protect each other.
Brothers by land, culture and blood.
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Apr 09, 2015 01:31pm
@Tranquil Indian navy too rescued people from 26 countries including Pakistan but we do not expect in return it was just a help in the time of distress.
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Apr 09, 2015 01:56pm
@Albert Paul Not really, land is different, culture is also not the same and blood is definitely different all throughout India....We are different so lets not pretend to eb the same. But we should live in peace with each other..
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Apr 09, 2015 02:09pm
True progress will be solving the Kashmir dispute.
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Apr 09, 2015 02:15pm
good job pakistan...... India is also rescued more than 450 foreigners of 32 countries along with 4000 indians.....
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Apr 09, 2015 05:07pm
Somehow Pakistani press has ignored the fact that has been acknowledged world over that Air India is the only airlines in the world which is still flying to Sanaa every day. Plus Indian Navy and Indian Air Force is helping people from world over to escape the civil war in Yemen. Please see BBC, CNN and AlJazeera.
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Apr 09, 2015 05:09pm
@lafanga
There is no need to bring Kashmir in this humanitarin gesture.no sour notes and let us look at the happier side of the picture and hope this will increase and bring the nations closer and prove what they can acieve if they put the effort
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Apr 09, 2015 06:16pm
@Tranquil We have already reciprocated my dear friend, the IAF and Indian Navy also rescued 4500 Indian National and 500 people of other Nationalities including Pakistanis, our defence Minister was himself looking after the process and our Ambasdor and his staff was also there till the end,.
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Apr 09, 2015 06:46pm
Warms my heart.Love and peace for all.
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Apr 09, 2015 07:36pm
Good Neighbourly Behaviour.
For Pakistan to Offer.
For India to Accept.
More of such stuff needed.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:17pm
@GREEN JAGUAR Please do not forget that many Pakistani nationals stranded in Yemen were rescued by Indians and safely sent to Pak. and were afforded similar treatment. Why do you not appreciate this? What about proxy war that is being fought from Pak.soil for which no action is being taken? Please think over it before calling India a war=mongering state.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:18pm
@Guljeet Singh And what about similar efforts by India which went un=noticed and not highlighted.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:19pm
@Akil Akhtar Because earlier Pak.naationals were sent back in similar manner by India. This was never reported by your press.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:22pm
@Omar and Feroze = at last sane voice acknowledging India's similar but larger efforts.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:24pm
@prince This is not going to happen.
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Apr 09, 2015 08:51pm
great efforts by pakistan by enthusiastic well come to its neighbours it will surely bring pasitive results in future .
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Apr 09, 2015 09:30pm
India, too, evacuated Pakistanis and Bangladeshis and other nationals from Yemen. Pakistan has used it as a Pakistani flag waving opportunity.
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Apr 09, 2015 10:39pm
@Zak yahh! india has done that on more than once!we do not do propaganda and give the forighn national our flags to be waved and make a photo opporthunity! these are just humanatarian gustures by both the countries!
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Apr 09, 2015 10:42pm
@Feroz yahh! nationals belonging to 26 countries have been evacuated by india but no big hype about it!it is normal thing to do?
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Apr 10, 2015 12:34am
For better relations we should not use the word "enemy" for any country.
This word closes the door for understanding each other!
Be vigilante but have an open heart and mind.
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