Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
In the volatile world of Pakistan-India relations, often seemingly harmless incidents can be blown out of proportion, leaving any chances of dialogue and forward movement towards peace looking increasingly distant. And as it has been witnessed in the recent past, more often than not the right-wing BJP-led government in Delhi has torpedoed chances of peace with Pakistan thanks to its unreasonable attitude and rigidity.
On Thursday, it emerged that a phone call between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had been taken as an affront by India. Pakistan’s high commissioner in Delhi was summoned by the Indian government and told that the phone call amounted to “interference in [India’s] internal affairs”.
Pakistan, in response, called up India’s high commissioner to receive a protest over the reaction to the phone call.
It is difficult to understand how Delhi considers the conversation between Mr Qureshi and the Mirwaiz as an “attempt to undermine India’s unity”. Moreover, the Indian foreign secretary’s language, alleging that this country “abets ... individuals associated with terrorism” is highly unacceptable and contrary to the facts, as the Mirwaiz is a moderate Kashmiri leader spearheading a peaceful political movement for the region’s rights, and those involved in the armed struggle are indigenous fighters.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a negative pattern the Hindu nationalist BJP government is following. Previously, too, India has raised a hue and cry over meetings between Pakistani diplomats and Kashmiri leaders, going as far as to cancel scheduled bilateral talks, even though Pakistan’s moral and political support for India-occupied Kashmir is unambiguous, and the issue is an internationally acknowledged dispute.
India under Mr Modi has made it clear that peace with Pakistan is not part of its priorities; meetings of Saarc have been scuttled due to Indian intransigence, while the bilateral talks process is in deep freeze. And while there seemed to be some potential in Pakistan’s offer to open the Kartarpur corridor, India’s politicisation of the issue is dampening hopes of a breakthrough.
Considering the BJP’s roots in the fanatical RSS — which has no love lost for Pakistan or Muslims — it is understandable that Mr Modi and his party would find excuses to avoid talking to Pakistan. And with national elections only a couple of months away, the BJP will not want to be seen as going ‘soft’ on Pakistan in order to please the saffron brigade and scoop up more votes.
However, this narrow, communal approach will do little to further peace in South Asia. Whatever issues Delhi has must be communicated to Pakistan through diplomatic channels, and only through sustained bilateral dialogue can mistrust give way to a constructive relationship.
It is hoped that after the Indian elections, whichever party takes power in Delhi will take a progressive approach towards Pakistan and restart the dialogue process in earnest so that peace can be achieved in this region.
Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2019
Comments (47) Closed
How not talking to Pakistan is communal?
Stop all acts that lead to violence and start all acts that lead to friendship. Peace and prosperity will follow.
Hurriyat Conference must go across the border and see the economic status and think about it, whether staying this side or that is better.
Peace with Pakistan's is not a possibility as long as we have an overbearing establishment. Fortunately that will change soon, as the status quo is untenable for long.
We can argue endlessly but it was a justified reaction from us.
maybe next generations of rulers may be able talk together and resolve issues
India's priority is development of the country, The dialogue with Pakistan in the last 70 years have resulted in nothing for either of the country rather it is draining resources for both the countries. India is moving ahead fast and up-scaling herself in Global order.
What can Pakistan give to India?
International disputes are not internal issues.
Good point
@Jairaj, they know very well and clearly dont want to stay with india still. 700k indian troops in Kashmir are a testament to that.
Do not talk to India till new Government in India after their election.
We dont care what India wants to do or not. But kashmir is also our affair, just as it is Indias and the UN. India cannot stop any of them from talking to kashmiris. India is choking on its own hate which will be lethal for its existence as a union of different nations.
Nawaz Shareef tried talking with India, and he was ousted. Now who is to be blamed?
Kashmiris are Pakistanis under Indian occupation - or you could say Muslims under Hindu occupation. Kashmiris have all right to call their mother county Pakistan which gained independence for Muslim majority states like Kashmir.
India has nothing to gain by talking to Pakistan. And, I am positive it won't.
@jabid, even if Modi or BJP is not in Power and say Rahul and Congress come to power it's policies towards Pakistan is no different. The only difference is Congress and Rahul are sweet talkers.
@Babu, "The dialogue with Pakistan in the last 70 years have resulted in nothing for either of the country rather it is draining resources".
If there is no dialogue then how does resultant war and terrorism drain any less resources, Einstein?
Did your modi teach you something like this?
Even North Korea can afford a dialogue with US!
@BK, You reading an editorial on Pakistani newspaper and then commenting on it is a testament to the fact how obsessed India is with Pakistan. When anything does not work in your country, the govt. uses the media to blame it on Pakistan.
@jabid, New government will be led by none other than Narendra Modi.
India’s reaction is as always childish and laughable. Occupied Kashmir is a disputed region - a fact accepted by UN. No it’s not India’s internal affair.
Modi is going to win again in 2019. He believes in action not in talks.
@jabid, it’s going to be BJP again. Don’t worry status quo by Modi ji will continue for next five years.
@Riz1, nice try
@RC, "Don’t worry status quo by Modi ji will continue for next five years."
Is that the same status quo you promised for Mr ji before your recent state elections??
@Jairaj, How is Indias economic better with a debt of $650 billion and heading to touch $1 trillion in 6 years time.
@Zak, keep dreaming Indians will always be united when it comes to our nation.
@Zak, is it applicable to baluchistan also?
Are the Kashmiris who refuse to leave for Pakistan, and instead stay behind and use Pakistani backed violence, to demand homeland, the only ones with human rights? Who will speak for the human rights of 100 crores of Indians, who has 70% less land for each citizen compared to what Pakistan has?? Unless this question is addressed, no change is likely.
We have an elected government to speak to. Why would you wish to speak with the Hurriyat, who have stayed away from representing the people in a democratic way?
Calling a government right wing is strange. Afterall it was elected by the common man on streets- about 100 crore people of them. I am sure 100 crore people have much more wisdom in whom to choose to manage the nation.
Perpetual conflict between neighbors is holding back progress of people. Both nations need to leave behind baggage of history amd move on. Both nations have enough good going on to share and be prosperous.
If one party needs to be pals with another, the former needs to stop needling the latter with irritants.
@jabid, the same government will continue.
Why would India prioritize peace with Pakistan when India cannot gain anything and give up everything in that process. If Pakistan can say what India will gain then probably something can be done.
@Zak, "How is Indias economic better with a debt of $650 billion and heading to touch $1 trillion in 6 years time."
Your Pakistani education is showing. When you know nothing about a subject it is better to keep quiet and let the adults talk.
we are not interested in talks,why are you pestering us,deeds are better than words.
Muslims in India have a duty to vote for congress to support kashmiri brothers.. a vote for bjp is a vote to kill kashmiri Muslims
Forget of any change in government after elections. Hope for 2024 elections.
@Zak, by your calculations Pakistan’s economy is much better than even the US
common man in India is in same condition as in Pakistan. So don't think like a super power. you have to work hard for one full century to become some thing like USA. and Pakistan also has the same chances to become super power. The difference of technology between India and Pakistan is not more than one decade. So I advise don't waste opportunities to have good relations in the region.
Peace with Pakistan was never a priority by BJP led Hindutva Givernment
@BK, In one word nothing.
BJP wants to push India into some chapter of Stone Age history instead of dealing with the reality of India in the 21st century without realization that reality always wins. Fighting with reality brings self destruction.
@Peter , whose progress india or Pakistan?
@Iqbal@US, I think you should come and see what a common man is in India. You are an ignorant ----.
@Zak, Very funny. Please visit India once to know how it functions. You will really be surprised that in any part of India, the common man considers himself to be an Indian first