To understand the possible consequences for Pakistan of the land-slide BJP victory in the Indian elections and how the RSS-nurtured future prime minister of India will be acting, let me list below some of the contents of BJP’s election manifesto.
Jammu and Kashmir-
Kashmir is and shall remain an integral part of the Union of India. The territorial integrity of India is inviolable.
The return of Kashmiri Pandits to the land of their ancestors with full dignity, security and assured livelihood will figure high on the BJP’s agenda.
The long pending problems and demands of refugees from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) will be addressed.
BJP reiterates its stand on the Article 370, and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article.
In terms of cultural heritage-
Ram Mandir- The BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Uniform Civil Code- Article 44 of the constitution of India lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of state policy. BJP… reiterates its stand to draft a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with modern times.
In terms of Foreign Relations-    
The guiding principles of our foreign policy will be:
We will champion uniform international opinion on issues like terrorism and global warming.
Instead of being led by big power interests, we will engage proactively on our own with countries in the neighbourhood and beyond.
In our neighbourhood, we will pursue friendly relations. However, where required we will not hesitate from taking a strong stand and steps.
Internal Security-
We will revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress, strengthen the role of NIA and put a system in place for swift and fair trial of terror related cases.
Reform the National Security Council to make it the hub of all sector-related assessments. Digital and Cyber security will be a thrust area.
External Security-
We will ensure greater participation of Armed Forces in the decision-making process of the Ministry of Defence.
Secure Indians -
India has a sensitive neighbourhood and there are internal security issues. There have been intrusions inside the LAC (Line of actual control), communal riots, Maoist attacks, increase in incidence of Pakistan backed terror groups.
Following from these excerpts of the manifesto, considering the BJP’s past record with respect to the treatment of Muslims and Modi’s role in the massacre in Gujarat, Kuldip Nayar, a leading Indian columnist recently wrote: “The dream of our forefathers that India after independence would be pluralistic in tone and tenor despite its partition on the basis of religion does not seem like it is coming true.”
Writing in the Indian Express, a Congress member of the Rajya Sabha, Mani Shankar Aiyar views BJP’s rise to power under Modi’s leadership as “the dying light of freedom”.
Mr. Bhadrakumar, a veteran former Indian diplomat, finds in the 2014 poll results “a defining moment for India-Pakistan relations”. To quote: “The point is, times have changed. Modi is not Vajpayee. Unlike those in our midst who may visualise Modi opting to inherit the UPA’s “four-step formula” to solve the Kashmir problem or those amongst us who keep saying that once ensconced in power, Modi is going to give the pass to the electoral pledges to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian constitution or build a Ram temple at Ayodhya or introduce Uniform Civil Code….In sum, Pakistan can make out that this time it’s for real — India’s big lurch to right-wing Hindu nationalism. All in all, the real foreign-policy challenge for Modi’s government is going to be the manner in which he handles India-Pakistan relations.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was smart enough to congratulate Mr. Modi and invite him to visit Pakistan. He has received an invitation to attend the Indian PM’s inauguration ceremony. He should avail it.
It has to be realized that (as stated by Bhadrakumar), Modi is not Vajpayee. Pakistan’s government will have to undertake an in-depth review of its current approach to relations with India in the light of possible moves the new Indian leadership might undertake. Mr. Modi will certainly take a hard line on incidents on the Line of Control and will seek to fully absorb the disputed Jammu and Kashmir State in India. Pakistan will have to be tough with elements prone to undertake violent activities across the border. Another violent attack, a la Mumbai, could ignite a sharp reaction jeopardizing peace in the region. Pakistan can ill-afford any such confrontation at this point of time when Afghanistan too is poised to usher in an unfriendly president.
It is most unfortunate that at this critical juncture, politically, Pakistan is hurtling into one crisis after another. The PML-N leadership has certainly made commendable strides to upgrade the economy but has grievously faltered in taking timely decisive action with regards to managing internal problems especially the dialogue with the Taliban. The predicaments relating to the media too have not been handled speedily and properly. The PML-N wise-heads should examine the spirit and substance of their political performance and the style of their governance, to avoid further pitfalls.
Peace and stability are essential requisites for not only the success of our internal efforts in various fields but also for sagaciously grappling with increasingly complex and daunting external challenges.

n    The writer is an ex-federal secretary and ambassador, and a freelance political and international relations analyst.