The writer is a security and political analyst and works at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad
There are many divergent views on how India and Pakistan can achieve peace, harmony and establish true friendship and become economically integrated. The question is, where to start? The simple answer is economic openness; full, complete, total and unhindered on both sides. The objective must be to recreate an India-Pakistan market system that existed around the time of our independence. Some may rightly argue that too much water has passed under the bridge, times have changed and we are not the same economies that we were once. This, in my view, is more reason for Pakistan to seek economic partnership with India than with other neighbouring countries. We can perhaps, progress more by integrating our economy with India’s perhaps more than we can by seeking close economic cooperation with China. Our geography and location is such that we don’t need to move in one direction; rather, we can and should look towards India as much as we do towards China.
What about our national security and our problems and disputes with India? There is a counter-question in my mind. By not opening up our market for Indian goods and reciprocally not getting access to the Indian market — the market of the second largest and one of the fastest growing economies — would those problems be solved? Trade and economic openness is in our interest. The logic of trade and regional integration is that all benefit from it. Every developing country that has made transitions in economic development has done so by regional cooperation using a framework of a regional organisation like the EU and ASEAN. Pakistan cannot do it differently.
In terms of popular perceptions and thinking about the future of our relationship with India, there is a big change in Pakistani Punjab, the largest province of the country. Historically, anti-India sentiments have been pretty strong here owing to much communal violence during Partition, the Kashmir dispute and the wars with India. The Punjab mood at the popular level is no longer hostile towards India. There is also a big change in perception on the other side of the border.
In my view, language, culture and history, if the narratives are right and rational, can unite communities more than religion. Religion can be as divisive and conflictive as it can be a force for harmony but that would depend where and in which age and time we live in.
Punjab, across the divided line, has a rich culture, a long history and a common language and folklore. I share the view that the two Punjabs can bring India and Pakistan much closer and that too very quickly. How can this be done? There is a great script in the joint communique, the first ever between any Indian state and a Pakistani province for a brave future. The bottomline is openness — students, interns, academics, intellectuals getting into the research institutes and universities of each Punjab. There is so much we can learn from each other’s experiences in the wider areas of agricultural research, from land and water management to dairy farming.
Tailpiece: Much will depend on pragmatism defeating dogmatism and burying the ghosts of history.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (71)
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@Pakistani Punjabi It is not so easy to redraw the international borders. Partition of India in two parts in 1947 and then break-up of Pakistan in 1971 had a huge humanitarian cost. The people who lost their lives and assets runs in millions. Let us not talk about repeating such tragedies.
@Die hard Patriot: Your not coming to terms with foreign directed militancy is going to eat you alive. You are already seeing the rampant militancy in your country due to that. Also your ability to internationalize so called India triggered militancy would have some credibility if you handle your militancy better.
Pakistan and India as sovereign countries agreed to resolve all issues bilaterally. You cannot sign that document and then cry foul. You need to do your part to make bilateral discussions effective. To play victim on bilateral discussions will only take you so far. Unfortunately you not only internalize, you also justify Kashmir militancy as a strategy.
First punish & expell those who supported and encouraged Khalistani movement in Indian Punjab.
@Maula Jatt: Have you considered the possibility that Raja Islam maybe an Indian Muslim? Secondly despite what you said, the fact is that proportion of Muslims in India has grown from 9% at partition to 15% now. Population of Hindus in Pakistan - we all know the story. Stop spreading lies about where minorities were killed and where they thrived.
There are still many Sikhs and temples in Pakistani Punjab, but no Muslims or masajid in Indian Punjab. Who cleansed who? Who tried to prevent partition through violence and massacre? Ferozepur and Jammu used to be Muslim majority, but were ethnically cleansed of Muslims. There is simply no comparison.
@Raja Islam: Why do you use this name if you are Hindu? You will be surprised that most of South Punjab is mixed Baloch-Punjabi blood, so yes there is much commonality between the two.
@Rafi Ka Deewana: Practical suggestion and we should go our separate ways as we agreed to do so in 1947.Hypothetically will East Pakistan ie now Bangladesh and West Bengal come together where language,'Culture' and many other common links are there.No.Same here.
@Raja Islam:
The writer is correct. Their is a greater bond between the Punjabis from Pakistan and India than the bond between say a Muslim Balauch and a Punjabi.
Oh Yes!
And the people who cleansed West Punjab of non-Muslim Punjabis came from Mars.
@Raja Islam, So Jinnah was wrong?
Firstly, the fact that so many Indians are commenting here by itself is evidence enough to support the idea. Secondly, the author is merely suggesting normalization of relations, more openness, greater people to people contacts, more trade and at some stage an integrated approach to economic development. This is somehow being construed as if he is suggesting integration of the two countries, which is not the case. My Indian friends though have legitimate concerns and rightly point out that first Pakistan has to sort out its own internal issues, particularly those related to extremism and terrorism. In my view despite these narrow concerns, which definitely need to be tackled for the sake of Pakistan herself; in the longer term, it is in India's own interest to normalize relations with a neighbour of 200 million population. This will allow it to realize its objective of assuming a leadership role in South Asia and emerge as regional player with influence, help reduce the animosity in the Pakistani hawks by removing some of the scoring points that they usually use to spread hatred. A more positive development that I see from such a development and more important too, is the positive effects such a move can have on improving the situation in Afghanistan by limiting the proxy wars that both states pursue there. As a Pashtun, I have no enmity with either Pakistani or Indian citizens. I simply dream of driving without fear and restrictions between, Peshawar, Kabul, Lahore, Amritsar, Delhi and enjoying the wonderful diversity that South Asia can be rightly proud of.
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan: How do you live with this habit of spreading lies?
@Raja Islam:
I live in central part of pakistani punjab and I cannot even say that pakistani punjabis have "enough" bond even with each other, my question to you sir is how on earth have you discovered this imaginary "bond" between indian punjabi and a pakistani punjabi. I lived in germany but I never felt any special bond with indian punjabis around me because their mindset, the ethnics, eating habits were totally different than what we have in pakistani central punjab. And it is only the central part of pakistani punjab which shares common dialect of punjabi with indian punjabis. What will be situation with pakistani punjabis of pothohar, south punjab etc. where there is even a dialect difference with indian punjabis.
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan:
The 3 invasions of Pakistan by India have affected all provinces of Pakistan, especially Kashmir, Pakistan, and Sindh.
All PROVINCES of Pakistan especially Kashmir, Pakistan and Sindh????
A. Kashmir- Is that why it is called AZAD Kashmir?
B. Pakistan- Honestly?? You have a 'Province' called Pakistan?
Are you sure you are old enough to be on this forum?
@M: Shahbaz Sharif talks words of peace while openly allowing hate speech in Lahore by Hafiz Saeed. Not only does he permit hate speech, he actually funds the organization whose leader spouts such hate speech. No one takes Shahbaz Sharif's words seriously when his actions are exactly opposite.
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan: I thought that it was always Pakistan who invaded India and not the other way around.
@Vish: The writer is correct. Their is a greater bond between the Punjabis from Pakistan and India than the bond between say a Muslim Balauch and a Punjabi.
@Komal S: I agree with your 1st and 2nd point. But your third point is quite controversial and a total allegation, instead India is involve in raising and funding anti Pakistan groups in Baluchistan. And as far as your fourth point is concerned, so we are raising Kashmir issue internationally because India is not dealing Kashmir seriously.
@Mirza: The 3 invasions of Pakistan by India have affected all provinces of Pakistan, especially Kashmir, Pakistan, and Sindh. Being a Pukhtoon, I can tell you that we are also fed up with Indian terrorists bombing our lands through Afghanistan bases and the violence against Pukhtoons and Baloch in Balochistan. Your oppression and support for anti-Pukhtoon groups in Afghanistan also doesn't help your cause.
Don't speak for Muslims and Pakistan, but for your own people, Hindus. I am with my Punjabi and Kashmiri Pakistani brothers, Pukhtoons will be ready anytime to defend any more invasions by India like we have done before.
@Indian folk: I have read all Indian's views. It is sad that highly educated and senible community do not want peace and prosperity in this region.Only blaming Pakistan,I assume you know the historical facts.If you cannot write positive then avoid to write destructive and pessmistic.
@Habib ur Rahman:
"No one wants merger of the two Punjabs"
Don't be so sure. Punjab will be unified again, including those two provinces India artificially cut out the Indian Punjab, no matter what India do. Take my word for it, Kashmir and Punjab will unite, no matter what machinations India devises.
Till the tiime the reason the region became 2 countries is not adressed in a conctructive manner, they will stay separate. I do not subscribe to the wishful thinking of the author. The values of the 2 nations have become completely different over the decades.
Change will come but it will be not you are wishing for...and it will not be pleasant.
@Imkan Batt:
No, Pakistani do not possess the theory of everthing but they know the theory of Pakistan-India Rlationship.
Though both India and Pakistan are archenemies for over six decades. No one can deny the root causes of enmity and can never be forgotten the tragic history, but if we just look on Germany and France, they fought wars for over one hundred years and now they have become now friends. we have much stronger cultural bonds than that of Germany and France were. if we go on with such a mind set for how long? neither India nor Pakistan will be benefited of this enmity. If interest is foremost runner of a state then why not we net together for a greater interest. we should transform the old mindset for greater values of mankind that are friendship, peace and harmony. Trade and Economic development are such platforms where one should compromise antagonism and bitterness to bolster each other on the path of friendship.
@Maula Jatt: How can you claim this? Muslim live in every city of Indian Punjab. Malerkotla is Muslim majority city. Even MLA from that city is always Muslim. You assume that due to no news of violence between two community since 1947. Right Singh
@Pakistani Punjabi:
The author of the article is giving wishful statements without having any understanding of how modern economics and trade works, this is the problem in Pakistan that the persons who merely have adequate education in political sciences also consider themselves to be expert in totally unrelated fields such as trade-commerce, science and technology etc. All in all many Pakistani political analysts regard themselves as possessing the theory of everything in the world.
@Indian Friends I am surprised to note that so many of you follow newspaper articles originating from Pakistan. This is a very healthy sign. It shows that the two neighbors are interested in each-others affairs. I am also surprised on the negative response, most of you have given on the proposal for more openness and greater cooperation in trade and people-to-people interactions. Some of you do not seem to understand the benefits of free trade, particularly to the larger trading partner: India. Some of you seem to think that it is possible to live in isolation in today's world. Some of you are not willing to forget the hostilities of the past, disregarding the fact that a new beginning can benefit both the sides. Some of you have given the impression that India is free of any problems whereas Pakistan is on the verge of collapse. It's not so. Some of you are entertaining the thought that all conflicts in the past were the making of Pakistan while India was completely innocent. Nothing can be farther from truth. Let me state the facts briefly. No one wants merger of the two Punjabs or an annulment of the two-nation theory, as some of you have misconstrued. The source of tension between the two countries has originated from both sides. In some conflicts like Kargil, Pakistan had a bigger part while in others like East Pakistan, India had a bigger part. We can argue endlessly without any result. Both Pakistan and India can survive as 'security states' without any help from the other side. No one can suppress its minority and then live in peace. It is in the interest of both the countries to live as good neighbors and respect human rights. Now that the desire of good relations is being expressed from Pakistani side, Indians are giving a cold shoulder, some because of election fever. The shift of public opinion towards extreme in both the countries is not a good sign. This opportunity will not stay for ever. By refusing to do business and to resolve differences on a negotiating table, Indians are not only hurting their own cause but also strengthening the hands of extremists on both sides of the boarder who have a stake in heightened hostilities. Let's not spurn the peace and prosperity knocking at our door.
Really...??
Are the Punjabis coming out of their trauma .??
.. the constructed national narrative ...!! is it weakening ...??
... I think it will still take time , in spite of all that Manoization of Punjab Holocaust , [ ie the 47 Punjab Holocaust is treated just as ugly short horrific stories of communal violence , like the short stories of Manto ] ..
@Pakistani Punjabi:
Openess of economy and trade.............. only onions and pototo from Indian for Pakistan and nothing from Pakistan to India:)
"Punjab, across the divided line, has a rich culture, a long history and a common language and folklore. I share the view that the two Punjabs can bring India and Pakistan much closer and that too very quickly."
The author speaks of the commonalities of the two Punjabs, I wonder even if he knows that India long long time ago cut the Indian Punjab into 3 pieces (provinces), on the pretext of some vague differences among them, to have complete control over the Punjabi Sikhs.
"Trade and economic openness is in our interest."
How trade and economic openness is in our interest when India imports only US$ 0.3 billion worth of Pakistani goods despite granting Pakistan MFN status, and we import about US$ 6.5 billion worth of Indian goods despite being closed market? Which principle of Economics tells the author that further opening our markets would benefit Pakistan?
This is a pragmatic and the only way forward for people of Pakistan in general and Punjab in particular. There is no animosity against Indians in Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan. Most of the violence at partition was in Punjab and the hatred continues. It is only Punjab which can bring the situation back to normal. We don’t have to love each other but too much hatred for too long is poisoning us. We cannot continue to sport such a huge army at the cost of poor civilians. We have to come to terms that countries are not formed on the basis of religion but culture. The proof is there are dozens of Arabic speaking Muslim countries in Middle East and cannot live united. Unless we become a democratic, modern, secular country no other country would allow us to enter their country even as visitors. With the current trend we are radioactive and infectious for the region and whole world.
"A very tiny minority in India or Pakistan would oppose the coming together of these two countries after the conflict and climate of hostility that has persisted for decades. I may be wrong, but this is my reading of popular attitudes in both the countries."
LOL! Author should better read the comments posted by Indians right here in his blogs rather than wasting time in deducing wrong conclusions using his defective people reading skills. Lets settle this issue once for all that India is Pakistan's enemy #1. The earlier we accept this fact, the better we could prepare ourselves to face this enemy of the meanest kind. Please don't confuse the nation with your false wishful assumptions without any sound study backing them.
@LunacyAsailam: @Gratgy:
Oh, an other fanatic mind has been exposed.Thanks for showing your actual face,the negation of democratic and secular state.Personally, I know in India phds are in their eraly/late 30s. Both gentlemen should not use slang language, It is marvelling ,that how Pakistani news papers published your views?In our society women are very respectable,you have proved that you people dont have any rgarards of them, I think NIkki bi should revisit her decision about Indian society. ET publish this answer to two indian men.
@LunacyAsailam: Am ashamed that an Indian is writing such a stupid argument and showing his narrow approach.Its not majority's reflection, sorry Pakistani friends.
Partition Violence is the main reason for the distrust. 1 million Punjabi Muslims were brutally murdered by India during this violence. There is no Muslim left in Indian Punjab, but the same cannot be said of Pakistani Punjab, where there is a thriving Sikh religious and cultural community. Jammu is a similar story. There is still a lot of hatred, calls for violence against Islam and Muslims across the border in India.
@M: Mr. Shahbaz Sharif has extended his hand of friendship towards India
We are worried what he is holding in his other hand behind his back
@Nikki: My fellow lives in India will marry soon.Will you say that Indian PhD guy is insane?
How can we say? We hardly know you. Maybe he is taking the "Make Love not War" a bit too literally
@xyz: The people like you work always Behind the Indian majority, common man of India does not thinks like you. Unfortunately the "Common man of India's" views about Pakistan cannot be published on this site since the moderators will not allow such language
Sir, please a little bit of realism. We need to cure our internal security before we can even talk about free trade or economic integration.
@Adeel @ Nikki one day you will be writing the same lines. Indian majority’s image is made by your Indian media,so media poison you will feel the difference, I bet.
You are right but people of India and Pakistan love peace not war.My fellow lives in India will marry soon.Will you say that Indian PhD guy is insane?Be positive
Oh, we wont be writing any lines of friendship, we know who Bharat is, and who Pakistanis are. There are clear cut historical and cultural differences. No offence Nikk, but I wonder what Bharati will stoop soo low as to marry a scythian, maybe there are religious reasons. But , you should understand, India is not a Muslim country, Hindus run it because its our motherland, we are already stuck up sharing it with others parasites, we wont be able to include many more.You may come live here, your choice, but dont beg us to take your family, goats and camels, because , one, it is shameful to ask, two we wont let it happen by God I promise and three,we have to take into consideration Mongloid India, South India and they will never , ever accept scythians inside, neither will we.Nobody is talking about war, but no one should talk about an imaginary comeback. Usually, Phd at 27-28 is not a very big thing in India, lots of people have it.
Mr. Shahbaz Sharif has extended his hand of friendship towards India. He has amply demonstrated an open arm policy and a change of heart. It is India's turn to respond.
Please read the editorial of the day in Business Recorder too. http://www.brecorder.com/editorials/0:/1265070:punjabi-cms-show-the-way/
@Akhtarrao: Dream can come true if both sides establishment think rationally. Dream can come true if the state elite and decision makers love their people not their doctrines. Dream can come true if civil-society and media play their effective and positive role. Dream can come true if few hakish accept and respect the writ of state. Best wishes ET please publish it
@LunacyAsailam: You are right but people of India and Pakistan love peace not war.My fellow lives in India will marry soon.Will you say that Indian PhD guy is insane?Be positive
@LunacyAsailam:
The people like you work always Behind the Indian majority, common man of India does not thinks like you.
@LunacyAsailam: one day you will be writing the same lines. Indian majority's image is made by your Indian media,so media poison you will feel the difference, I bet.
@Akhtarrao: Your dream will not come true, vast majority of Indians wont agree, have you gone insane??.
@A Peshawary: "Pakistan will do what is best for its people without caring for Indian thinking and voices coming out from there" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As Pakistan did in 1971. Always doing the best just that the best is not good enough.
The Indian appears to have been mislead with the notion that they are better than any body else. By now they should have realized that Pakistan is much better than India in many aspect. It can handle it affairs in a better way against all odds and enemy like India. For Example in India number of people living below poverty line is much bigger than in Pakistan. The author has clearly expressed the Pakistani sentiments looking for bigger market in its own interest. Pakistan will do what is best for its people without caring for Indian thinking and voices coming out from there.
A Peshawary
I think after 7 decades, we are better off trying to be good friends ( separate entities ) rather than trying to be ONE entity .
tell us about two tales of the two countries.
I think you have many friends in your own punjab so dont ask for Indian Punjab.You dont know Punjabi culture and roots.Sikhs are diiferent.
Is this author Pakistani? No one should live in illusion,peace comes from heart not from writings.
The best revenge is to live well, goes a saying.
India must move forward on its present path - Legislate good laws, strengthen law and order, reform its economy, push for trade, etc.
Opening a pandora's box by having open free borders with a Terror Factory is and should never be on this list.
Pakistani liberals thinks it can overcome its Radicalism and its bound to go away. There are many Muslim countries around the world, which have shown this is not true. Bangladesh whose History is supportive of the liberal lot, the Radicals are very powerful and they will come to power given free and fair elections are held.
Pakistan cannot and will not escape this trend.
India does have such problems in Indian Mujahideen, but not to the scale of Af-Pak or Bangladesh.
In my view, language, culture and history, if the narratives are right and rational, can unite communities more than religion.
That's where we were wrong through out our history. Totally agree
@Author
Day dreaming may be a pleasurable pastime for you, but pragmatism is a necessary condition for others. Are you not overlooking the fact that no one in India is day dreaming like yourself?
Dont play with your two nation theory.Pronvices cannot have separate relations than that of federation.
Strong, tall fences make good neighbors.
Trade not Aid can bring a bright future for people. Yes Punjab can bring the two nations closer through better trade and economic integration. However this can only be possible if economic well being is the primary objective and people are willing to rise above religious differences.
And dont for get its provencial gesture not at the state level.
The people of Indian Punjab have a choice of universities and research institutions of repute, both within the state and across the country. Pray, what are those world renowned institutions of Pakistan that would be attractive for the Indian Punjabi? On the other hand India will have to be extra cautious to accept Pakistani students, as they might be parts of sleeper cells.
Can you please elaborate the world class achievements of Pakistan in the areas of agricultural research, dairy farming and land and water management that would be beneficial to Indians.
If memory serves me right, the white revolution made India the largest producer of milk in the world. The state of Punjab is the bread basket of the country and India is self sufficient in terms of food production. There is room for improvement on the land and water management front, however the country has not had floods like Pakistan, due to better daming of water resources.
I lived my life in Mumbai, I do not hate Pakistanis for what happened in 26/11. But certainly don't want to forgive those who are involved. And will definitely not take this chance again to allow anyone terrorize my city. So tell me sir, how else do you want us Indians to leave all this behind and embrace you? I assure you my Punjabi brothers in Indian Punjab too would not take such a chance unless you prove some sincerity in tackling issue of terrorism. The Mumbai incident wounds are fresh and dust has never settled on it. Forget about burying that past. We have buried many things in past and more we try to bury them the more they resurface exposing the rot the wound has become. so tell me again how are we going to join hands and live peacefully ? Sadly we both know the answer.
I dream when two nations will be traveling without visa.
Thanks but no thanks. Please stay put in your country and leave us alone. Pakistan has nothing to offer us other than unwanted troubles.
TRhe author is proposing Foreign Policies for the two Punjabs distinct from the ones for the two Countries +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Unrealistic and Impractical.
Based on last 20 years, one can say that Pakistan is less of a country and more of a collection of people with common (?) religion. And, in a case like this, most Indians will oppose anything to do with Pakistan as that is going to cause trouble for those (Indians) who are not "pure" muslims. So, let us firm up the line of divide and go our separate ways.
Author makes some valid points but we need to be careful.Let us not unnecessarily get carried away:
1) I do not think anybody in India/Pakistan are dreaming about integrating as one country. 2) India has been saying all along that we need to have open trade. Pakistan needs to make the move. Pakistan needs to have political will to do that. The current restriction is against WTO guidelines. 3) Apart from trade Pakistan can display its intent for genuine friendship, by depriving Oxygen to the various Indian directed militant outfits. 4) Stop raising Kashmir issue at international forums and deal directly with India as per the signed Simla agreement on all bilateral issues.
The above list does not look big and not unreasonable.
@Vish: The reason why the two Punjab can meet in business and interact is that there is no notion of uniting the regions. No Sikh wants to join Pakistan and no Pakistani Punjabi would ever wish to join India - simple as that. Most Sikhs see themselves as a different people as do Pakistani Punjabis who are also an independent people. Friendship and business does not denote union because the two Punjabs and people are different enough. Not only can they not intermarry but they each gravitate to different histories and inspirations. Muslim Punjab is the larger of the two and sees itself as the real Punjab.
Sorry, this is not practical. For the following 2 reasons: 1) Pakistani Army ( which actually calls the shots in Pakistan) get's it's power and pelf on the strength of continued hostility with India. It will never agree and endanger it's own power.
2) Decades of Jihadi-mindset in Pakistan will poison India - we are far better off. First Pakistan must reverse it's jihadi-anti-India education and declare itself secular and repeal all anti-minority laws.
"In my view, language, culture and history, if the narratives are right and rational, can unite communities more than religion". Dear writer please be careful. You are going against Jinnah 's 2 Nation theory which clearly stated, " Hindus & Muslims are two nations. They neither dine or intermarry. The heroes of one are villains of the other...." so on and so forth.
Why? What possible real benefit will it have for India - and I mean real & tangible benefit; not the sentimental claptrap of it being 'one lnd, one culture' etc?
Let Pakistan sort out its internal mess and become stable. Only then should India consider any such initiative seriously.