Talking to India
Pakistan has once again resonated logic and understanding of geopolitics by calling upon India to initiate meaningful bilateral talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent interview with a UAE’s news channel is worth the salt, as he dilated a case of reasoning by throwing open his country’s position on bilateral irritants with New Delhi, and seeking a way out of the stalemate by hitting the table. Even though there is hardly any hope of a generous reciprocity from India, it nonetheless goes without saying that Pakistan’s intentions are for a peaceful neighbourhood. At the same time, the country is eager to indulge in a substantial composite dialogue to iron out differences over a host of pending issues, including the core issues of Jammu & Kashmir.
Islamabad has, however, maintained a principled stance by saying that Delhi must rescind its August 5, 2019 abrogation of special status of the disputed Kashmir region, and revert back to constitutional normal. That act of vengeance to alter the demography of the Muslim-majority state was imbibed in Hindutva ideology of the RSS-BJP combine to marginalise the minorities, and penalise them on the criterion of otherness. Pakistan, by asking for annulling the new legislation which is illegal as per the Indian Constitution manual itself, is merely seeking a way out to make room for a constructive engagement with India – which will not just be helpful in the bilateral context but regional as well.
In an age of interdependence, especially when the region is home to multi-billion dollar trade and connectivity under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), India and Pakistan cannot just sit idle to paint a picture of remorse and animosity. This is why Pakistan has shifted its bilateralism to geo-economics, and is interested in harnessing a new era of coordination and confidence. India must come out of its long-harboured paranoid psyche to deal with Pakistan in order to reap the fruits of collectivity, and settling the longstanding dispute of Kashmir is surely a prerequisite.
Prime Minister Shehbaz made it a point to reflect upon the role that the UAE is playing for brokering a thaw between India and Pakistan. The ceasefire that is luckily holding between the two nuclear-armed countries was also construed by the UAE in late 2020 through behind the curtain parleys; and the proactive role of the Arab country is highly appreciated. It is India that should exhibit its openness for mediation, as Pakistan has assented to it in all humility. It’s time for Delhi and its radical BJP regime to look at the bigger picture of congeniality, and instantly do away with its allergic attitude towards a negotiated settlement of issues. No point in playing to the gallery on the home front on the premise of political prejudice.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2023.
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