ALONG with criticising India for its flawed approach in held Kashmir to mark Youm-i-Istehsal on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the occasion to make a fresh peace overture to New Delhi.

Aug 5 marks the date in 2019 when India revoked held Kashmir’s special constitutional status, in effect annexing the territory despite its disputed status as per international consensus. The prime minister observed that a peaceful solution was required to settle the Kashmir question, while adding that “durable peace in South Asia” depended on the resolution of this 77-year-old dispute. Of course, settling the Kashmir issue at the negotiating table — with the participation of Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris — could set in motion the process of normalisation in the subcontinent, but only if New Delhi is interested in pursuing peace.

Unfortunately, there has been little indication that India is ready to mend fences with Pakistan. Instead, along with earlier lukewarm felicitations exchanged by both sides, India has been increasingly using the overplayed ‘terrorism’ card to stall any chances of dialogue with Pakistan. Last month, while attending an event to mark the Kargil conflict, Indian PM Narendra Modi used inflammatory language targeted at this country, accusing Pakistan of fomenting unrest in the region through proxy groups. If India continues to use such language, peace in the region will remain a remote possibility. But Mr Sharif has done the right thing by continuing to invite India to talk out all outstanding issues. India should take up this offer for an improved geopolitical atmosphere in the subcontinent.

While the resumption of direct peace talks anytime soon is unlikely, both states can start with confidence-building measures. For example, the respective high commissioners have been absent from both capitals since 2019, which is unprecedented during peacetime. Restoring both missions to their full diplomatic strength can be a starting point for rebuilding better ties. Moreover, backchannel dialogue can be initiated, even if the current focus of this engagement is ‘talks about talks’.

Pakistan is due to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Heads of Government meeting in October. India is also part of this multilateral body and should send a high-level delegation to the event. The point is that engagement is the only way that mistrust between Islamabad and Delhi can be overcome. India keeps playing the same tune, harping on about ‘terrorism’, but Pakistan also has significant evidence linking India to malign activities on its soil.

Therefore, both states can remain locked in this perpetual cycle of blame and retribution, or turn a new leaf and look to the future. While Mr Modi’s ideological comrades in the Sangh will scowl at the very thought of peace with Pakistan, the Indian leadership should rise above parochialism and accept Islamabad’s dialogue offer.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024