AT the worst of times in their bilateral relations, India and Pakistan have not shied away from carrying out direct or indirect trade of useful and crucial commodities. The Indian public continued to enjoy Pakistani mangoes even during the tense Kargil stand-off and when their troops were locked in trading fire across the Line of Control. India’s current regime has stalled practically all good-neighbourly activities. For example, it has clamped down on people-to-people contact in a notably damaging measure against the seekers of peace and fellowship on both sides. The cross-LoC trade was also shut down, with nothing more than a perverse intent to harm the Kashmiris. And yet the officially sanctioned trade has continued, no doubt miniscule in comparison to 2014 or 2019, but trade nevertheless. In 2023, it included Indian imports of $350,000 of organic chemicals. Likewise, when a Pakistani business wants to import, say, cumin from India, it gets it via Dubai where its origins are erased.

Right-wing Hindu groups that have been opposing the Indian release of Pakistan’s 2022 blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt, need to reason with themselves. How is importing Pakistani chemicals alright and watching a Pakistani movie anti-national? Or, as the late Pakistani writer and public intellectual Intezar Husain would remind his leaders, how was it right to import potatoes from India but keep Lata Mangeshkar at bay? The Legend of Maula Jatt was due to be released in the Indian state of Punjab on Oct 2, possibly to coincide with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, an inveterate advocate of friendship between the two countries. One of the reasons for his assassination was that Gandhi planned to visit Pakistan in the spirit of fellowship and solidarity with his estranged former compatriots. But rabid elements on both sides thrive on rekindling their bitter history and seem to feel threatened by the simple joy of going to a movie together.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024