Creating the atmosphere for talks is Pak’s responsibility (English Version) Rakshak News 29 Aug 18
The presence of Navjot Singh Sidhu at the swearing in of Imran Khan and his hugging the Pak army chief brought forth a barrage of criticism. On return he began advocating peace, taking a cue from Imran and General Bajwa. He appeared to convey a message from Pak. The Chinese foreign office recently stated that it is willing to contribute in bringing both nations onto the discussion table.
Imran on his own has been sending signals for talks. In a tweet he stated, ‘To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir.’ He also desired an increase in trade.
There has been no Prime Minister, in Pak or India, who has said anything different at the commencement of his tenure. Modi went to the extent of inviting all SAARC leaders for his swearing in and even dropped into Lahore to greet Nawaz on the day of his grand daughter’s wedding. Nawaz kept talking of Indo-Pak peace all through his tenure.
Imran thus is singing the same tune as expected of any PM. The major difference is the variation in perception between the Imran and the Pak army chief, who controls the state. Imran has not mentioned a word about terrorism emanating from Pak, the freedom to global terrorists provided by his country or prosecuting those behind the Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist strikes. It was not too long ago, while on his election trail that he sought the support of terrorist leaders including Hafiz Saeed and Ludhianvi whose candidates contested elections.
His latest statement mentions that Kashmir is the core issue for talks, other points can follow. Thus, he has towed the army line, ‘talk on Kashmir or any other issue but we will not stop the flow of terrorists or infiltrators’.
There is no doubt that most problems which Pak presently faces is an indirect consequence of its enmity with India. The power of the army, an excessive defence budget leaving the nation in debt with low growth, over-reliance on China, lack of international support, failure of SAARC and enmity with US are a fallout, direct or indirect, due to its differences with India.
For India, Pak is a little more than a pin-prick. It would continue to ignite Kashmir and try and push in infiltrators. India has grown accustomed to its Chinese backing, which has impacted India in limited ways in the international arena.
India is now an international power, with a growing economy and military. Its engagements across the globe have enhanced its stature. World leaders rush to embrace India while few dare to visit Pak. India contributes to international funding agencies, while Pak desperately seeks a bailout. Thus, in many ways, India has outgrown Pak and moved ahead.
However, it must manage a nuclear- powered neighbour. India is aware that the Pak polity speaks one language, while the army speaks the opposite. Evidently, Pak’s words and deeds head in opposite directions. Hence, Modi wrote a general letter to Imran, which was expected by a PM, with no promises, no offers nor any path ahead, but only a hope for improving relations.
The Modi government, facing an election shortly is wary of changing its Pak policy. It cannot risk a step forward being pushed back two, by a major strike in the country. It would gain immensely if Pak takes the first step and stops pushing in infiltrators, seeking an Indian response. If there is no positive action on ground, it could very well consider status quo, including ignoring the SAARC summit, at least for the present.
Thus, in the present scenario, the onus of creating confidence for progressing talks is with Pak. If the political leadership only blusters in tweets or speeches, then it is worth ignoring. It must display that it genuinely desires dialogue and the power behind the throne agrees.
Any international economist would advise Pak that improvement of relations with India would resolve most problems which they presently face. It may also gain in development. However, there has yet to be a politician in its over seventy years of history, who has been able to drive this logic into the minds of the military leadership, which has employed enmity with India as a tool to enhance its power.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army