Border skirmishes escalating — mutual blame game is on — zero-sum game thrives — Indian hostility is remarkable and the statements from both the sides have kept the pot boiling. One should not be optimistic about cordial Pak-India ties in the presence of provocative and schizophrenic Indian policy.
The Indo-Pak ties had been overshadowed when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi met in Ufa, Russia — during the SCO meeting. That was a gesture of goodwill between both the nuclear rival states. However, the cancellation of National Security Advisors (NSA) level meeting and then border skirmishes injected uncertainty to the recent commitment of negotiations. The borders skirmishes have been become a daily affair since Modi assumed charge as prime minister, last year.
Although, both the states are facing a number of mutual concerns from the very first day of their independence — the princely states issue — the division of assets and especially the Kashmir issue — which is still to be resolved. Later on, the 1965 war, the separation of East Pakistan and just after three years — the Indian nuclear test in May 1974, caused an alarm for Pakistan’s security.
Nevertheless, beside the mutual differences and concerns — Pak-India ties have had been the victim of the policy of non-acceptance from the Indian side which is the core cause of the mutual distrust and exasperation. From the very first day of the establishment of All India Muslim League — the policy of non-acceptance, in the minds of the Indians has bloomed. Now, that policy is more than a hundred years old — how we can expect a friendly and cordial attitude from India?
At the time of the creation of Pakistan, India had the psyche that Pakistan can never survive will soon accede to India. However, with the blessings of Allah Almighty, Pakistan survived and will survive forever. India tried her best to establish her hegemony over the region — to destabilize Pakistan and make it her subservient.
Indeed, Pakistan’s creation was the rejection of Indian hegemony by the Muslims. The Indian first nuclear test in May 1974 was a huge step, after making some failed attempts, to establish her hegemony over Pakistan in the shape of a nuclear power. Up to the Indian first nuclear test — there was realisation in Pakistan to make nuclear weapons. However, this aggressive move compelled Pakistan to start her nuclear program to balance the hostile India.
Last week, the cross-border violence took place once again — targeted the civilians, which should be stopped, albeit, forever, not for weeks or months. Although, the National Security Advisor (NSA) level talks has been cancelled, however, the meeting between the Pakistan’s DG rangers and DG Indian border security forces will be held in New Delhi in September.
Indeed, the possibility of success may release tensions on both sides, but we should not be optimistic after having experienced a number of very high-level talks, in which we have achieved nothing. Every time, we have failed to make the negotiations fruitful.
Although the experts claims that implementing CBMs, avoiding interference in one another affairs, economic engagement and reducing hostile perceptions can lead to the smooth Indo-Pak ties, there is only one thing which can pave the way for the future negotiations as well as cooperation between both the states. That is that India avoids the policy of non-acceptance and ignorance about Pakistan. It is a prerequisite for all these measures. Ironically, India, despite all the hostile rhetoric, claims Pakistan is the incncere one.
In May last year, Pakistan’s premier Nawaz Sharif participated in the swearing-in ceremony of the new Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi which was a gesture of goodwill from Pakistan side. However, that time too, in his swearing-in ceremony he tried to send a message to the world about the India’s hegemony over the region through these words: “The presence of the regional leaders had sent a clear message to the world about India’s strength”.
The current Indian Advisor for National Security, Sushma Swaraj, once said, “I have spent seven years as a spy man in Lahore.” Does it suit such a country who claims to be the biggest democracy of the world to appoint him to such a high level post? How can we expect a shared and realistic vision from India to guide her policies towards Pakistan?
Mutual matters of concerns and disputes are not the root cause of the sour Pak-India ties. The Indian biased psyche towards Pakistan is the core cause — which needs to be addressed. One should not be optimistic that the arrangement of negotiations and dialogue may resolve the core concerns like the Kashmir dispute, mutual interference, water issues and border issues etc. The cordiality in the relations will only come once there will be change in the psyche and mindset of the arrogant Indian establishment as well as leadership towards Pakistan.