Only those who have fought wars or suffered from its consequences realise the true value of peace. By these standards Pakistani soldiers and those in India, particularly from the fighting arms realise the importance of peace between their warring countries. Pakistan’s dominant majority including those serving the Armed Forces believe peace to be the logical way forward for their troubled relationship with India; but on equal terms. Having said that, they do realise that peace on terms of equality can only come forth from a position of strength.
“Si vis pacem, para bellum—If you want peace, prepare for war” is a quote from the works of Latin author Renatus. The idea has been endorsed by many philosophers around the world. The same philosophy is at the heart of the Pakistani security establishment’s cautioned backing of the ongoing peace process with India which has reportedly been brokered by UAE; starting on ground with the surprise announcement of ceasefire between the armies of India and Pakistan at the highly volatile LoC in Kashmir.
Talking of Kashmir; it remains the basic bone of contention between both nuclear armed powers fighting over that region since 1947. The “Kashmir-conflict’ is renowned as the topmost nuclear flashpoint globally; testing the nerves of not only the countries involved but also keeping the world on an edge as it would definitely have a global fallout in case of a nuclear exchange by the trigger-happy nations, always found fondly cheering and boasting about the gruesome firepower exchanges of their respective militaries on the borders dividing Kashmir.
Aforesaid about Kashmir in view; it would only be prudent to address the issue of Kashmir foremost; alongside the normalisation of diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan. However, the hawks on both sides of the border would resist any diplomatic settlement outright due to respective positioning over the issue historically held by the various groups involved. However, restoration of trade and movement between both sides of Kashmir would be a good start though, as it would provide livelihoods to Kashmiri people on both sides. Past precedence in this regard signals toward the expected success of the suggested move which is being demanded by people living on both sides of Kashmir. There already exists a mechanism for this exchange in Kashmir where families are divided due to clashes on the LoC; having to cross over through Wagah border in Punjab costing extra miles and money beside the hassle of extra documentation. Trade between both sides of Kashmir may well be extended to tourism in the future if the situation continues to improve.
It is evident that India wants to mend fences with China which is in a strategic partnership with Pakistan. India realises that it cannot have its cake and eat it too. So in order to mend fences with China for preserving herself to concentrate on domestic development, India needs to make peace with Pakistan. China is also keen to look inward to project its power outward in due course; due to which China wants Pakistan to tread pragmatically and respond positively to peace gestures by India. Pakistan itself is in need to divert energies and resources from fighting India towards economic development and projecting a soft image of itself to promote trade and tourism initiatives launched by the present government. India is essentially the sole hurdle in getting Pakistan off the hook of international watchdogs like FATF. Making peace with India and efforts to resolve disputes on the table rather than the battlefield would thus be a pragmatic move for Pakistan.
Having said that; ongoing proxy wars between India and Pakistan will pose the biggest challenge to peace due to decades of investments and efforts by both countries’ intelligence agencies on various networks against each other. A pause button will have to be put on by both sides to make any meaningful peace process possible which may later lead to cessation of such hostilities for forming durable peace between both countries. Furthermore, a tectonic shift definitely needs to take place in the public mood in India; created due to the rhetoric against Pakistan for political mileage.
Pakistanis are more accommodating to an idea of peace with India in comparison. Certain gestures of late by the Indian leadership in that direction are a welcome move. But it requires a wholesome effort by them; particularly directed at the Indian media, which gets high ratings on shows bashing Pakistan. A stop to anti-Pakistan propaganda programmes on Indian mainstream media stirring hatred and having repercussions would go a long way being a feasible CBM to shape the shift in public mood in both countries, particularly India. It won’t be very difficult for Pakistan to follow suit since anti-India programmes are not Pakistani primetime shows unlike on Indian media. Pakistani media mostly responds to Indian discourse. The Pakistani audience is mainly attracted to domestic politics which doesn’t capitalise on anti-India sentiments because of a lack of public interest in enmity with India. So it is easy for Pakistan to stop playing this smack-game which is not in the interest of peaceful coexistence. It would however, prove to be a challenge for India where catching headlines pummelling Pakistan is an instant hit. This vicious cycle of ‘hating for high ratings’ in India must end for a peaceful future of the region.
“Where there is a will there’s a way; the Pakistani Prime Minister and Army Chief didn’t mince their words in the recent Islamabad Security Dialogue where they publicly expressed Pakistan’s will to make way for peace with India. It was of course a result of UAE’s brokerage behind the scenes, having the backing of China and India much to the dismay of the US. But by keeping respective national interests of all the countries in the region above everything else including vested interests; peace seems possible and is the only logical way forward for India and Pakistan.