It is sheer irony that India aspires to become a permanent member of UNSC, while its actions negate the UN Charter
LAHORE: The Indian government’s anti-Pakistan sentiment has overshadowed bilateral relations between the two neighbours for a long time, making it impossible to develop and sustain an atmosphere of cordial relations that could prove to be conducive to the betterment of the entire region. Contrarily, burdened by its legacy of backstabbing, dirty politics, India has proven to be an existential threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty through recurrent anti-Pakistan practices and remarks. Ironically, it has long maintained the image of being the innocent party suffering the wrath of terrorists pouring in from the Pakistani side of its border. However, the sovereign authority of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at Dhaka University, affirmed and corroborated the conniving role of India in the separation of Pakistan’s eastern wing. For Pakistanis, India’s participation in the debacle of East Pakistan was no hidden fact. They are familiar with the treacherous role played by India in instilling anti-West Pakistani sentiments in the hearts and minds of East Pakistanis. But the blatant confirmation of Indian treachery by Modi sheds the facade of purity that India has worn. He deserves the appreciation of Pakistanis as, contrary to former Indian premiers, he has not been a hypocrite and instead has been candid enough to reveal India’s true colours and animosity towards Pakistanis.
Modi’s declaration of Pakistan as a “nuisance” and an “unfortunate” nation not only encapsulates India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan but also manifests the desperation of a leader who, in order to boast of an ally, would stoop so low as to address another nation in the most undiplomatic terms. The remarks rendered by Modi are an impulsive reaction not only to the success of Pakistan and China’s finalisation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor but also to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s reiteration of Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir in his recent meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The Kashmir dispute has surely been a perennial conflict between Pakistan and India, a logical end to which can only be attained if the right of self-determination is granted to the Kashmiris, enabling them to decide their own future. It is sheer irony that India aspires to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, while its actions negate the UN Charter. Intrusions of RAW not only in Kashmir but within regions of Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, are an evidenced occurrence. This is surely not how respectable nations behave. What role would a nation notorious for devaluing peace play when it becomes a permanent member of an international organisation that is governed by the principles of peace, love and harmony for all? India will have to be far-sighted enough to mend its ways and bring about a positive change in its policy towards Pakistan if it yearns to contribute towards strengthening peace in the region. Pakistan, on the other hand, needs to wake up from its slumber, get over its internal political blame game and realise the potential threat its enemies pose to its sovereignty.
Marria Qibtia Sikandar Nagra
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2015.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
