Meeting behind the scenes

PTI Chairman have accused the prime minister of betrayal and of a denial of the basic values of democracy

A book written by Indian journalist Barkha Dutt claims that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a meeting on the sidelines of the Saarc summit in Kathmandu last year in secrecy, without any news of this encounter being made public. The unusual meeting, we are told, was organised by an Indian steel magnate, who apparently enjoyed the Pakistani prime minister’s trust as well as that of the Indian leader. Both India and Pakistan have vehemently denied that their top leaders clandestinely met in the Nepalese capital.



Since the claims came to light, the prime minister has come under a barrage of attack from within his own country for the lack of transparency and openness. The media has lashed out at him, but the strongest criticism has come from PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his party, which have accused the prime minister of betrayal and of a denial of the basic values of democracy. If the meeting did take place as is being claimed, the criticism levelled by Imran Khan holds some merit. Ideally, the conduct of elected leaders should be in the realm of public knowledge and not hidden away behind closed doors.

But on the other hand, so sensitive is the nature of the Pakistan-India equation at present that we need to be grateful for any kind of interaction between the leaders of the two nations. Without this, we could be faced with circumstances that can lead to serious crises developing in the bilateral relationship. Given this, meetings being held out of the public eye can prove to be key in keeping tensions at a manageable level.

Most encouraging of all is the news of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj possibly visiting Pakistan next week for a regional conference on Afghanistan. The Heart of Asia conference being held in Islamabad would also bring together leaders from other countries involved in matters pertaining to Afghanistan, including China, Iran, Turkey and Russia. The visit by India’s top diplomat could break an important barrier. If it takes place, it would be good news, and could perhaps form the foundation that can eventually lead towards a rebuilding of broken bridges between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th,  2015.

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