Call from the blue
The fact that Mr Modi has made what appears to be an effort to restore some normalcy is something to be welcomed
The phone call made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on June 16 was unexpected PHOTO: AFP
The phone call made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on June 16 was unexpected, coming as tensions between the two countries continued to rise. The telephonic contact, which reportedly lasted five minutes, with Mr Modi conveying Ramazan greetings to his Pakistani counterpart, was evidently intended to calm things down and express goodwill. Whether it will in real terms have any impact is still to be seen. Though the right gestures were made by both sides, with the Indian leader announcing the release of Pakistani fishermen detained in India, and the Pakistani premier reciprocating by saying Indian fishermen, too, would be freed, it seems it may take more than gestures to change the way things stand.
This is because of the animosity and at times open venom contained in a spate of recent statements by Indian ministers and also in the remarks made by the prime minister of India himself. On a recent visit to Bangladesh, he accused Pakistan of backing terrorism while also saying India had played a part in the 1971 war which led to the break-up of Pakistan. Mr Modi has also opposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) while on a visit to Beijing, and the approach he has taken has been mirrored at home by his ministers. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan has responded by criticising the aggressive Indian stance, and accusing RAW of involvement in terrorism within Pakistan’s territory — notably in Balochistan, through which a large portion of the CPEC will pass. Islamabad has also said the project is of immense significance to it in economic terms and is also central to regional stability. In such a scenario, it does not appear likely that a brief telephonic exchange will make any major difference in realities. But the fact that Mr Modi has made what appears to be an effort to restore some normalcy is something to be welcomed. India must recognise that the approach it has been taking is immensely dangerous and that there needs to be a change in it.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.
This is because of the animosity and at times open venom contained in a spate of recent statements by Indian ministers and also in the remarks made by the prime minister of India himself. On a recent visit to Bangladesh, he accused Pakistan of backing terrorism while also saying India had played a part in the 1971 war which led to the break-up of Pakistan. Mr Modi has also opposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) while on a visit to Beijing, and the approach he has taken has been mirrored at home by his ministers. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan has responded by criticising the aggressive Indian stance, and accusing RAW of involvement in terrorism within Pakistan’s territory — notably in Balochistan, through which a large portion of the CPEC will pass. Islamabad has also said the project is of immense significance to it in economic terms and is also central to regional stability. In such a scenario, it does not appear likely that a brief telephonic exchange will make any major difference in realities. But the fact that Mr Modi has made what appears to be an effort to restore some normalcy is something to be welcomed. India must recognise that the approach it has been taking is immensely dangerous and that there needs to be a change in it.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.