Pakistan

Salman Khurshid to Modi: Don't expect dramatic results from Pakistan visit

Former external affairs minister says Indian PM should clarify whether the BJP is in favour of peace talks

Web Desk July 12, 2015

Responding to a question whether the Modi’s proposed visit to Pakistan would yield results, Khurshid said India should not expect dramatic results from the visit. PHOTO: AFP

Former Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has cautioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to expect dramatic results from his proposed visit to Pakistan next year.

Citing New Delhi’s previous experiences of engagement with Pakistan, Khurshid said, "Our past experiences have not been positive...not very satisfactory ... so we are not sure that this time it will be any better. So, I think we have to be watchful; I don't think we need to celebrate.

The former minister went on to add, "We have always taken the view that there is no option but to talk in what manner and how one should talk ... you have to be careful."

Read: Ufa meeting: Modi ready to visit Pakistan next year

Urging Modi to be watchful, Khurshid said one should not hurry and see how things work out as they move forward.

Responding to a question whether the Modi’s proposed visit to Pakistan would yield results, Khurshid said India should not expect dramatic results from the visit. "I don't know. It may get us some results if we know what we are going for; we have to understand what's happening in Pakistan; we have to understand the role of army in Pakistan and (we have to) go with a practical view... not expecting something dramatic to happen.

Khurshid said Modi has a ‘tendency to look for drama,’ while warning Modi that issues between the neighbours could not be resolved through drama. “This has to be carefully, slowly and studiously built upon."

Taking a jibe at Modi, the Congress party stalwart said while Congress is in favour of talks with Pakistan, the prime minister should clarify whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in favour of resumption of dialogues with Islamabad.

Read: Nawaz-Modi huddle draws mixed response

Accusing Modi of not taking opposition and other political leaders into confidence regarding relations with Pakistan, the former minister said “we cannot judge Modi's efforts unless he shares either with the people of the country or with leaders of opposition in some manner as to what his intentions are and what he wants to do."

Commenting on no reference of the Kashmir issue in the joint statement issued by Modi and Nawaz, Khurshid said, "It's neither here, nor there. On one way, you can say that it might be advantageous (to India) that they (Pakistan) have stopped talking about Jammu and Kashmir.

"On the other way, it may be disadvantageous that they may say we are ready to talk about everything; so, we will talk about Jammu and Kashmir also."

The article originally appeared on The Economic Times

COMMENTS (37)

ravi | 8 years ago | Reply @Nadeem: Pakistan wants to talk on kashmir, means it wants to wrest kashmir, which it cannot be military means. What next, you want to talk us out of kashmir??

James | 8 years ago | Reply Dear Friends, Problem with us is that we become self Nationalists and Jingoistic Comments follow from both sides which has no logic at all. Look at this issue from a rationalistic and realistic manner. To my Pakstani friends, I say this with quite confidence that even if you fight with India for 10000 years more you will not get kashmir. Just like in Pakistan it has now become a central theme for every Indian after the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley. So whats the way forward. A Condition in which all Kashmiris from both sides are happy economically blessed would be the best solution forward. After All Kashmir is not just Geelani and Hurriyat Conference. For this everyone has to come forward with practical ideas. the Four Formula Strategy of Gen Musharraf was a good one. Also My Pakistani brothers need to understand that by having atom bombs and fighter jets isn't enough. Germany and France aren't the strongest Military Powers yet they are a very strong factor worldwide economically..One Pakistani friend of mine was mentioning Pak exporting Fighter Jets and so on. If you go to the list of Failed Countries worldwide you will see Pak right at the top along with Somalia and others. There needs to be a change in mindset. We indians need to try and help Pak in becoming a modern progressive Society by supporting Liberal Forces. There needs to be a strong and robust Military to Military relationship since in Pak military holds a very important role whether we like it or not.

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Dipak | 8 years ago | Reply Dipak@Jor El:Kashmir is an integral part of India. And Pakistan can do nothing about it. The POK also belongs to India but we are willing to let go. Except the Kashmiris of POK tells me how desperate they are to join India. They claim there is nothing for them in Pakistan just like nothing for the average Pakistanis.

Jor El | 8 years ago | Reply @Tepper: when has india ever claimed that kashmir is disputed territory ??

Dipak | 8 years ago | Reply Any way, who cares for Pakistan?

someone | 8 years ago | Reply Well Mr. Khursheed, thanks for the advice. Mr. Modi is already aware of limitation of NS. The wings of NS were already clipped by those staged protests of PAT and PTI. Everyone knows who was behind those protests. The same "power" has least interest in any sort of peace with India. The hate for India and Hindus in Pakistan is the only thing that gives so much leverage to that "power" and they want to enjoy it as long as they can.

jayant | 8 years ago | Reply @Afzal: Speak a man who's country is begging for their next dole ! Whatever little electricity u get , put it to some good use. Anti India talk has brought Pakistan to its knees.

Bobb Mack | 8 years ago | Reply @Harish: Ha ha ha You think India is father? If wishes were horses beggars would ride !!!

Muhammad | 8 years ago | Reply @Anjaan: It was on Modi's request that the two leaders met. And it was Nawaz Sharif superior manner that despite knowing that Modi had already declared in last SAARC meeting to attend next meeting in Pakistan he repeated the invitation ...for the sake of better atmospherics in Russia I guess.

Afzal | 8 years ago | Reply @ziddi: Sorry for the hurt. I never wish to bring India even into my thoughts but you guys roam around and act freely like vagabonds on this page, often hitting us below the belt, that we have to respond in kind. Just look at the bakwas that your countrymen unleash on us. To us you are none other than psychopaths who provoke us to gain pleasure from the anticipated shouts from us. Just be reasonable and civilised and you will be treated as good guests here otherwise come prepared for a sonorous thud on the bottom.

ziddi | 8 years ago | Reply @Afzal: you must be relaxed now after giving full vent to anti India and anti Hindu sentiments in your comment.But the fact of the matter is the rise of Narendra Modi and India's growing prestige in global affairs is actually going to make Pakistan's behavior worse than ever. Pakistan is not a rational state. Its purpose is not its own growth and rise, but the prevention of India's rise. Pakistan defines itself as "anti-India", an Islamic state fighting a "Hindu India" to the finish, by fair means or foul.The present situation of Pakistan is the result of that mindset.

Afzal | 8 years ago | Reply @Rex Major: One of the most disgusting comments about Pakistan on a Pakistani paper. You are a sad little thing and your irrational thoughts about Pakistan are product of anger, hatred and lack of insightfulness...and such a compound often acts like an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anyone on which it is poured. You are right when you accept Kashmir to be the main issue but then you promptly switch over to define Pakistan in your typical Indian way. Should we be reading or listening you guys at all? Your "Narrative of hatred" applies more on Indian Hindus who are full of poison against other nationalities even when wearing a best human dress. What do you mean by Pakistan being "tortured and unhappy soul" .....does that ranting not apply more on India?. Just come out of your perceptual confusion and see what is happening with you society at large. And you do not know the meaning of "dole". You actually are referring to IMF or other foreign loans. Are you so naïve not to know that these loans are being returned with interests added and so far despite our pressures we have never defaulted. Greece would not be in difficulty if loans were doles. Aid is the other name of mutually beneficial transactions. American money which they spent on Afghan wars has never been a free aid....you need to come out of your Indian skin to comprehend things properly. Money paid to Pakistan represents reimbursement of expenses for using Pakistan's services and facilities. Expenses paid to Pakistan have been much less than the losses we have incurred in terms of economy and human life. Close Pak-American ties have always burnt Indian azz (Opse! excuse) but you should now calm down following the boost your country has received after Obama visit. But remember America still need Pakistan more than India, particularly as it is obvious from Pakistan's efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan. And that is despite the evil and satanic acts of your country. Since Partition your country left no effort to create hostile environment for Pakistan. And you guys proved so mean and cheap that you even refuse to hand over our share of assets, hoping that these silly acts would choke Pakistan out of existence. Circumstances faced by Pakistan require a close understanding, even power sharing, between civil and military leadership if we are to defeat evil forces like RAW. By now you must have understood that despite all our challenges and far less resources we are going to neutralise your malicious acts against Pakistan.

Rex Major | 8 years ago | Reply @Nadeem: People in both countries must understand that apart from Kashmir, there’s no real problem between the two. All other hindrances have their roots in Kashmir issue. So solve it to solve every other hindrance. Otherwise, keep fighting the 1,000 years war. Pakistan is perhaps ready for it. Nothing will change even if India presented Kashmir to Pakistan on a proverbial silver platter. Pakistan is at odds with itself. In human terms, Pakistan is a tortured and unhappy soul. Unless Pakistan finds it's raison d'etre for itself and changes it narrative of hatred towards all non- Muslims especially "Hanood wa Yahood aur Amrika", Pakistan will trundle along on it's path propped up by IMF doles, Chinese largesse, US-Anti Terror aid, causing misery to Afghanistan, Iran and India. Bottom line: Kashmir will solve nothing, it will only deprive the Pakistani forces of their piece of the Pakistani budget-cake and they WILL NOT GIVE IT UP. Expect no change.

Bewildered | 8 years ago | Reply @Kolsat: "What Pakistan and Pakistanis must remember that Pakistan needs India and not the other way round." LOL!. Pakistan needs India for what? We would rather be very happy (in fact, all of India's neighboring countries) if India is relocated to Mars.

Nadeem | 8 years ago | Reply @Report: India wasn't expecting Pakistan to survive 3 years upon independence. After 68 years of independence, Pakistan has been world champion of hockey, cricket, major exporter of textiles, agriculture, one of the main professional manpower resource for Europe, North America and Middle East, seventh Nuclear power of the world, and now exporting fighter jets. So, hold your breath & don't go with the current temporary downturn of events for our great country & nation. We always had a reason for our separate homeland and we are determined to sail it through all storms, and defeat our enemies, come what may.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply @Nadeem: "All other hindrances have their roots in Kashmir issue. So solve it to solve every other hindrance. Otherwise, keep fighting the 1,000 years war. Pakistan is perhaps ready for it." Yes, I am sure Pakistan is ready to fight a 1000 year war, but for that to happen, Pakistan must first exist for a 1000 years. Considering ground realities of how Pakistan is fast becoming a failed terrorist infested backward state, chances are that it may not last for even 25 years.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply @Tepper: "Don’t quite understand why India doesn’t want to talk on Kashmir. They themselves have accepted it to be a disputed territory." That is incorrect. India considers all of Kashmir including that occupied by Pakistan (GIgit/Baltistan/AJK/northern areas) as integral part of India. The only dispute is with respect to the portion occupied by Pakistan. As for India's involvement in Balochistan that you mention, that is nothing more than propaganda by the Pakistani Establishment. To this day, not one shred of evidence has been produced. Pakistan has tried hard to convince the US and other western powers that India is fomenting terror in Pakistan, but got laughed at.

Harish | 8 years ago | Reply The best possible outcome for the Kashmir problem is that India retain it's part of Kashmir as a whole state by right of agreement and by the right of it's superior number of Muslim nationals where as Pakistan as they are setting themselves up as the champions of the Kashmiri's cause can grant full statehood to the POK with an option for every Kasmiri to move to whichever part of Kashmir in this formula. India can't allow anything else as a Father doesn't allow his child to play with fire in ignorance, we already know what results when "Pakistan" happens.

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply What most Indian foreign advisors forget is that Nawaz Sharif is a figurehead and does not command any real power. The army is the true representative of Pakistan in the world community and as long as the army supports the Kashmiri cause, we are talking about it. In fact i can guarantee that long, effective and important talks will never be held by any true representative of India and Nawaz, simply because he is not in control of Pakistan's foreign policy. Why else do you think we have such a meek foreign policy advisor (Sartaj Aziz, a charming innocent-looking fellow) while his Indian counterpart is a former spy? It is because our real foreign policy is controlled by the army (trained to be brave, clever and diplomacy-savvy) and we talk to foreign nations and leaders only through them.

AA | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan has to be careful about what is made public in these talks. When Musharraf wanted to settle Kashmir dispute and ready to give all concessions he was representing Pakistani popular sentiments as well as military will. People like Advani and others sabotaged the effort by exploiting media talks. Mr. Modi may be taking an opportunity to get Pakistan offers in media and only goback and boost to his constituent nationalist crowd. Pakistan should insist on concrete actions and avoid media statements. The joint statement came out of their meeting no matter how much weigh on good intentions only served to Mr. Modi. It gave expression of appeasement from Pakistan. Indian public is not educated enough to understand the damages to both economies and the society this military conflict has caused over 65 years. Their opinion is driven by belligerent tone of their incompetent political leaders who use Pakistan bashing as pawn to distract people from real problems. Mr. Modi himself is one of them. Pakistan needs to have concrete agreements not joint statements. Hope maturity prevails.

Kolsat | 8 years ago | Reply Salman khurshid was the FM of India butis not the spokesperson now which means he is irrelevant. Furthermore why should Modi consult with opposition partiesmany of whom do not understand such issues. Rahul Gandhi would not even know the capital of Pakistan. Modi is a canny person and will know what to say to Sharif. What Pakistan and Pakistanis must remember that Pakistan needs India and not the other way round.

Curious George | 8 years ago | Reply @Nadeem: One thing my Pakistan friends must understand that India is not going to cede any thing further to what you already have ie POK. If you think Pakistan is ready for 1000 yrs war for Kashmir and will take it forcefully then my dear you stand to loose.Pakistan tried and failed to use terrorism, insurgency, and what not.The religious aspect of Kashmir Jihad was only exploited to recruit insurgents. Otherwise most Pakistanis don't believe that it is a holy war. Seriously, However, by now it is clear to Pakistani establishment as well as people of Pakistan that the issue will not resolve until India decides to negotiate.

mahakaalchakra | 8 years ago | Reply My realistic but humble submission, "No voice sample, no visit, thus back to square one". Talks or no talks, Hydrogen or Neutron, Modi or Dimo, Pakistanis by now must realize that when india did not yield an inch in 1989 to 1999 period which was the worst ever, it would never change its territorial boundaries, no matter what. Besides, there is a new sheriff in the town named Modi. Period.

Report | 8 years ago | Reply @Nadeem: I don't see pakistan surviving beyond fifty years

Anjan | 8 years ago | Reply @ Allah Ditta ... Oh, really ... ?? ... when in reality you Pakistanis are still struggling with your own identity crisis for the past 68 years ... ?? ... have you been able to make up your mind, as to whether you Pakistanis are the descendents of the Arabs, or the Indian ... !!??

Neutral | 8 years ago | Reply And that's the problem . If you already have made your mind , how are you going to solve issues?

Nadeem | 8 years ago | Reply Well, I don't know what makes this gentleman think that Pakistan isn't talking Kashmir. Probably it is the ONLY thing we want to talk. Else, it will be only be a meet & greet. People in both countries must understand that apart from Kashmir, there's no real problem between the two. All other hindrances have their roots in Kashmir issue. So solve it to solve every other hindrance. Otherwise, keep fighting the 1,000 years war. Pakistan is perhaps ready for it.

Allah Ditta | 8 years ago | Reply Typical uncle Tom answer so what should I make of it? Indian Muslims have the worst identity crisis in the world and we are partially responsible for it.

Babloo | 8 years ago | Reply Some practical plain speaking by Mr Salman Khurshid. He was foreign minister of India under previous government. The only practical achievement by India for last 6-7 years has been that Pakistan based groups have not launched large scale attack in India. Its only because they have not attempted it. Your guess or opinion, as to why those groups have not launched such attacks ( like the parliament bombing, numerous temple attacks, 26/11 attack ) in last few years, is as good as mine. However, possibility of such attacks is always there , as the groups continue to be nourished and protected as assets of the state.

Haider | 8 years ago | Reply Sir counties had fought in World Wars and today they are friends.... Let the relationship between Pakistan and India be good and go at another level...

Bobb Mack | 8 years ago | Reply Look who is advising Modi on Pakistan. These congress psychophants, more loyal than the royal, know their own messy track record right from the day of Partition...even to the extent of denying Pakistan its share of United India. Will you find any other nation so disgusting and mean. Mumbai or no Mumbai we know you do not want to talk on Kashmir largely because it provides a good focus to keep your public's attention diverted. Otherwise your inner conscious, if there is one knows that Kashmir belongs somewhere else. Does this ex-minister not know that attending SAARC conference 1916 which happens to be in Pakistan is Modi's own obligation. And does it not look ridiculous to assume that Pakistan has given up on supporting Kashmiris when that is the central issue. We know India is not willing to end its occupation of Kashmir but that is a different matter....we will continue with our position until India understands its illegal position.

NBM | 8 years ago | Reply India does not expect much from Pakistan. Peaceful co-existence would be enough.

Sodomite | 8 years ago | Reply This is how foreign policy professionals in India counsel their PM. In Pakistan read Aziz's statements and that of our Info Minister and you get the feeling that we our drifting in the ocean. Education and merit were promoted in India whereas in Pakistan we promoted uneducated morons offering wild opinions.

Tepper | 8 years ago | Reply Don't quite understand why India doesn't want to talk on Kashmir. They themselves have accepted it to be a disputed territory. This perpetual procrastination is not going to help anyone. Closing your eyes to a problem that you yourself acknowledge, will not lead to the disappearance of the problem itself.Of course, Pakistan funding violence in Kashmir is also a part of the problem, but all of this will have to be discussed. Instead, we now have a situation where India's role in Baluchistan is akin to Pakistan's in Kashmir, with nobody now willing to be the first to pull out.

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply Manditory reading for hawkish lobby and PTI trolls

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Very mature advice.

Anjaan | 8 years ago | Reply Well, the reality of the matter is, the people of India are not holding their breath, nor PM Modi himself ... !! ... it is perhaps due to his personal chemistry with PM Sharif that he could not turn down the invitation ... !!

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