Pakistan's desire to hold talks with India is not out of weakness, but an outcome of a visionary approach to see the region swing back to peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exploited another opportunity to offer an olive branch to New Delhi, as he told the British ambassador in Pakistan that Islamabad is willing to talk it out. The onus now rests with a radical regime that is adamant and bent upon pushing the region over the brink.
Islamabad also appreciated London's efforts in scaling down tensions between the arch-rivals as they went for a four-day duel in May, and solicited its role in ushering in a thaw by brokering a dialogue on all contentious issues. Ambassador Jane Marriott was also debriefed on the honest measures that Pakistan had taken to keep its cool against the India aggression, as the sole intention was to deescalate the situation in order to avoid a nuclear confrontation.
The decision to resume flights to the UK was hailed as a breakthrough, as it would come to address the hardships in aviation and direct flights between the two countries for millions of expatriates. Likewise, the fact that London and Islamabad share commonality of interests at international forums, and are working on a buoyed trade deal was eulogised as the way to go in strengthening the bilateral relations.
The thrust, nonetheless, was on making India realise that without making peace in the neighbourhood, no substantial progress can be made in the region and beyond. This is where the UK's perspective on regional development comes into play, as it can assert itself over Delhi to see light at the end of the tunnel, and get talking.
It's high time for India to do away with its xenophobic approach at home with minorities, and a repulsive attitude with Pakistan. As an emerging power, it is mandatory for India to exhibit responsibility and not jingoism. Trade to the tune of billions of dollars and congeniality are one step away from India, and that is to make peace with Pakistan and get going. One hopes India will abandon the ostrich syndrome and start looking ahead.
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