Comprehensive Overview of Modi’s Foreign Policy Doctrine

Speaking at the Foundation for Public Awareness and Policy (FPAP), New India Series, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Smt. Sushma Swaraj expounded that safeguarding national interests and “vasudaivakutumbakam” or “the world is one family” are pillars of Modi’s foreign policy doctrine. After Narendra Modi’s ascension to power, there has been a paradigm shift in India’s relations with the comity of nations. Much to the amazement of dissenters who scoffed Modi’s abilities, in the past five years, India managed to cement strong ties with adversaries Saudi Arabia and Iran, US and Russia, Israel and Palestine, simultaneously with exceptional ease and vivacity. Of the 193 UN countries (including India), India engaged with 189 countries during Modi’s tenure. The unprecedented diplomatic outreach has been the cornerstone of Modi’s foreign policy which included extensive travelling. Political adversaries often criticise Modi for visiting overseas countries without understanding the agenda and policy of the government. In five years, Modi visited 59 countries in 41 foreign trips, President and Vice President travelled 66 countries and the army of Indian diplomats headed by the EAM covered 64 countries to renew, reengage and revitalise India’s ties with countries across the globe. As a young nation with immense potential for growth and development, the onus is on India to actively engage with other countries. While political parties would rather reluctantly acknowledge India’s global stature, proactive global outreach helped New Delhi to assert, position and project itself as a responsible player.

Swaraj enumerated various instances where Modi’s close interactions with Heads of States helped India to deal challenging situations. At the height of Yemeni military turmoil in April 2015, India had to evacuate over 4000 Indians. Sustained air strikes and non stop gun battle between Yemeni militants and Coalition forces headed by Saudi Arabia posed a formidable challenge to rescue people stranded in Yemen. Prime Minister Modi who established a close rapport with Saudi King Abdullah at 2014, Brisbane G-20 Summit, sought his help in evacuating stranded citizens. King assured that air strikes would be stopped for two hours every day for one week. Through the meticulously planned Operation Raahat, overseen by Gen. V. K. Singh, Junior EAM, India not only rescued its citizens but 960 foreign citizens from 38 countries including three persons from Pakistan.

Despite its aspirations to be part of nuclear export regimes, India managed to get a waiver from Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008. Giving huge fillip to country’s nuclear objectives, Modi government worked assiduously to get membership into three elite nuclear regimes- Missile Technology and Control Regime (MTCR), The Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australian Group by the end of 2018. India became full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2017 entering a new realm of expansion of ties with Eurasian region. By virtue of India’s adept diplomatic lobbying, India got re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Of the 15 judges in the ICJ, based in the Hague, five members retire every three years for a nine-year tenure. Against the five vacancies, France, Somalia, Brazil, Lebanon got elected to the four seats. India and UK vied for the fifth seat. After 11 rounds of voting, India’s Dalveer Bhandari got 183 votes of UNGA and 9 members of UNSC voted in favour of India. UK withdrew after the 12^th round and India got elected to ICJ by securing the 15 votes of UNSC. For the first time since its existence in 1945, ICJ had no British judge. This victory symbolised India’s rise internationally. Thanks to Modi’s strategy of selling India, country has attracted $239 billion in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) since 2014. Countries are showing great interest in investing in India’s new initiatives like Make in India, Skill India, Smart Cities, Swacch Bharat and others.

Branded as a Pro-Hindu party, after Modi’s ascension to power, critics procrastinated deterioration of India’s ties with Muslim world. Proving the sceptics wrong, Modi cemented ties with the Arab World. Saudi Arabia conferred Modi with highest civilian honour- the King Abdul Aziz Sash while Palestine awarded Grand Collar of the State of Palestine for his contribution towards promoting bilateral ties. For the first time in 2018, in recognition of strategic partnership, Saudi Arabia accorded “Guest of Honour” status to India at Janadriyah Festival. Indeed, after fifty years of India’s diplomatic embarrassment at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), popularly termed as Rabaat fiasco, UAE invited India as the guest of honour at OIC commemorating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the existence of OIC. Despite strident protestations from Pakistan, founder member of OIC, UAE refused to rescind India’s invitation. These developments were in sharp contrast to Rabaat fiasco when Indian delegation was forced to return without attending even single session of 1969 OIC Inaugural meet after Pakistani President Yahya Khan expressed serious reservations to India’s presence. India has thus come a long way, reclaiming its lost glory and respect at the second largest intergovernmental organisation.

Replacing the term assistance with developmental partnership, Modi government has energised India’s close ties with African countries. Unlike the previous versions when select African nations participated in the strategic forum meetings, the Third Indo-African Summit of 2015 for the first-time extended invitation to all African nations. Representatives from all 54 countries attended the meet which included 39 Heads of State. To sustain and infuse fresh momentum Ministry of External Affairs has opened division of Development Partnership.

Post-independence, India wasted nearly four decades of independent existence due to its misplaced obsession towards resolving outstanding issues with Pakistan. To reset India’s ties with neighbouring countries, even before his inauguration, Modi unveiled, Neighbourhood First Policy. Swiftly moving away from the agenda of engaging with Western neighbour Pakistan, Modi attempted to revamp and nurture ties with immediate neighbours. Due to India’s focussed approach, New Delhi is now celebrated as the most reliable developmental partner of war-torn Afghanistan. Unlike other countries, India continues to pitch for a “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-owned peace process”. India’s ties with Bhutan reached new heights. Emblematic of a win-win scenario, India and Bangladesh are now partners in mutually beneficial economic development programs. India’s “Patient Diplomacy” towards Maldives finally yielded results. Democracy was restored in the Archipelago and Prime Minister Modi attended the swearing in ceremony of Mohammed Solih laying firm foundation for strong friendly relations. For the first time in seventeen years, Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit Nepal in the first year his tenure. During his visit, Modi addressed the Parliament, extended all possible support to Nepal to emerge as a stable democracy. After some hiccups in 2015, Indo-Nepalese relations have stabilised now. Annihilating misunderstanding through his bilateral visits, invoking civilizational, cultural, religious and historical ties with the island nation, India revived its ties with Sri Lanka.

Holding a testimony to Modi’s diplomatic acumen, foresight and statesmanship, Swaraj reiterated that Prime Minister keen on having friendly ties with neighbouring countries invited all SAARC members to his swearing-in ceremony. The arrival of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s to the event paved way for India’s fresh engagement with the neighbour under the new leadership. The following day, Modi and Sharif held bilateral talks and agreed to start foreign secretary level talks and bilateral trade through the Wagah-Attari border. Despite some ups and downs, honouring Pakistan’s invitation, EAM, Swaraj travelled to attend the Heart of Asia (HoA) summit at Islamabad. Responding to Pakistan’s call for peace talks, Swaraj even announced commencement of NSA dialogue and initiated Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue on December 9^th, 2015. Soon, Prime Minister Modi took an out-of-box initiative and made an impromptu visit to Lahore to wish Prime Minister Sharif on his birthday on December 25^th. Notwithstanding India’s friendly gestures and good will visit, Pakistan reciprocated India by launching attacks on Pathankot air base. Though miffed by Pakistan, upon Sharif’s request, India allowed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Pakistan to access Pathankot air base to investigate the attacks. Since then, Indo-Pakistan relations began to deteriorate due to Pakistan’s unabated terror attacks on India.

India’s strategic patience reached a tipping point by the Pulwama attacks which led to death of 40 security personnel. After the attack, India reached out to several nations which expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, condemned terror attacks but were wary of escalation of hostilities between nuclear powers. Addressing the fears of international community, India promised not to unilaterally escalate tensions. But Post-Pulwama India insisted that it will not remain silent if Pakistan launches any attack on India. India waited for ten days anticipating strong action against terror outfits by Pakistani government. As usual Pakistan dilly-dallied and even denied existence of JeM on its territory. On the thirteenth day, India carried out limited strikes against the terror camps after Pakistan showed no interest in restraining the terror outfits. IAF entered Pakistani territory and struck the JeM’s training camp at Balakot. India’s precision strikes caused no damage to the live and property of civilians. Soon Pakistani aircrafts entered India’s air space and targeted India’s military installations. During the talk, Swaraj strongly defended India’s right to carry out strikes owing to Pakistan’s failure to act on terror agencies and reports from intelligence agencies which warned of more attacks from JeM. She questioned Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes since India targeted terror camps of JeM. And added “Why did Pakistani military attack us on behalf of JeM? You not only keep JeM on your soil, you fund them and when victim country retaliates, you attack it on terror outfit’s behalf”.

Swaraj reiterated, “terror and talks can’t go together, if Imran Khan is so generous and statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar”. Assuring that India is keen on having good relationship with Pakistan provided the country takes action against the terror groups operating from its territory. Pakistan’s military says that JeM doesn’t exist in their country. She reminded that back in 2011, Pakistan denied the presence of Osama bin Laden, but American Navy SEALS found in Abbottabad. She minced no words in exposing Pakistani lies, falsehood and subterfuge.

Swaraj asserted that India’s global profile has improved in the past five years. India’s astounding diplomatic success to its resolution of celebrating June 21^st as International Yoga Day vouches for India’s rise as global player. In record 75 days, India managed to garner support of 177 countries to pass the resolution. Even orthodox Muslim state, Saudi Arabia embraced Yoga and included it under sports category. At the multilateral forums, India is now playing major role in setting an agenda. At Brisbane G-20, India brought Black Money to the high table, the 11-point action agenda on terrorism presented by India became part of Hamburg Declaration. India presented 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders at Buenos Aires G-20. India’s invaluable contribution towards climate change through International Solar Alliance (ISA) along with France is hailed internationally. Based in Gurugram, ISA has 73 signatories. Exemplary Diaspora engagement has become hallmark of Modi’s doctrine. Prime Minister’s diaspora outreach has enhanced confidence of the Indian community abroad who are feeling more connected with motherland. Indian Embassy have reincarnated themselves as “home away from home”. Over 2000 Indians in distress were rescued in response to their appeals on Twitter in the five years. Gearing up for larger global responsibilities, India is now intensely campaigning for UN reforms and expansion of UNSC with G-4 countries which includes Brazil, Japan, Germany and Brazil. India is strongly rallying for a permanent membership at UNSC with veto.

Under the Act East Policy, employing the twin connects of Buddhism and Ramayana, India is furthering its ties with ASEAN countries. Asserting ASEAN-centrality in the Indo-Pacific region, India is now gaining the trust and confidence of ASEAN. Besides, India is now extensively engaging with different groups like Arab League and planning to hold annual summit meets with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries and Central Asian countries along the margins of UNGA (UN General Assembly) meetings. Concluding her meticulous conversation on Modi’s doctrine, Swaraj remarked “Competition and Cooperation” best describes Indo-Chinese relationship.

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The curious case of two Nobel Prize nominations

On Feb 28^th, after Pakistan announced the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan held captive by Pakistan, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary submitted a resolution to the secretariat of National Assembly recommending Prime Minister Imran Khan for Nobel Peace Prize. Alluding to his contributions in averting plausible war between India and Pakistan after terror strikes on Balakot, Pakistan held ode to Khan’s good will gesture. It is not just Pakistan which called for such coveted honour for Khan, India’s left-liberal brigade, the fervid “Aman ki Asha” advocates started similar propaganda in India. Minutes after Pakistani government’s made approved release of Abhinandan, the brigade lost no time in eulogising, former Pakistan captain for the international honour. Castigating the Indian Prime Minister as the aggressor, started an online petition under the hashtag of “NobelPeacePrizeforImranKhan”. After the initial frenzy the issue seemed to have faded from public memory. But what made this development interesting, is the endorsement by Indian bigwigs which included former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju. In a telephonic interview to Pakistani news channel, Geo News, he praised Khan for displaying “real statesmanship” and added, “his speech was balanced, mature and full of wisdom. With calmness, he explained that war is not a solution. I think the speech should be circulated throughout the World, not just in our subcontinent. He deserves a Nobel Prize”. Two days ago, Eurasian Times carried an article stating that Imran Khan has been nominated for Nobel Prize by American publication, The Christian Science Monitor, terming it as “perhaps the biggest surprise in the peaceful leadership-and most critical to the World”.

The news of Khan’s nomination for Nobel Prize by an agency now demands an unbiased scrutiny. As of now while Indo-Pakistan tensions have cooled, it is important to explore if Khan’s self-aggrandised appellation of “Naya Pakistan” was any different from earlier Pakistan regimes. Hours after taking charge as Prime Minister in a televised address to India, pledged to take two steps for every one step taken by India to reduce tensions between both countries. For all the grandstanding nothing changed on ground. There was no decline in the cross-border infiltrations, unprovoked firings and terror attacks in Kashmir.  The valley continued to bear the brunt of unabated terror under Khan.

Infact, giving peace a chance, India approved talks between foreign secretaries of both countries along the margins of UNGA at New York. But New Delhi called off the talks at the eleventh hour due to brutal murder and mutilation of three Indian security forces by Pakistani forces. Besides, as an endorsement to insurgency in Kashmir, Khan’s government unveiled postal stamp of terrorist Burhan Wani extolling him as a martyr. For the first time in recent times, Punjab awoke to a bomb explosion on Nirankari Bhavan at Amritsar, signalling resurgence of Khalistan movement. To counter Modi government’s intense crackdown on terror operatives in Kashmir and free hand to security forces, under the guise of honouring religious and cultural sentiments of people Khan pushed the long pending Kartarpur corridor construction proposal. Through influential Pakistani sympathisers in India, Khan effectively pushed the Kartarpur issue to forefront. India relented and conducted foundation laying ceremony with immediate effect. With Pakistan’s army chief Qamar Bajwa overseeing ground breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor and special invite extended to Khalistan leader, the bluster of Khan’s administration stood exposed. Every year Kashmir valley would experience a break from the terror episodes during the winter months. But this year there was no respite from terror for the valley and Indian security forces made some major breakthrough by neutralising hardened terrorists sheltered in the valley. Having suffered a massive setback, Pakistan terror operatives with the support of deep state plotted Pulwama attacks. While JeM claimed responsibility minutes after the attack, Pakistan dilly-dallied and reluctantly condemned terror attacks referring to Kashmir as “Indian Administered Kashmir”. This has been the “Naya Pakistan” of Khan in brief.

Against this background it really makes no sense to even believe that the current regime of the so “statesman” Khan is any different. As mentioned earlier, Khan announced the release of Wing Commander under International Pressure as signatory of Geneva Convention. It would be ridiculous to even think Khan’s act as good will gesture, since Pakistan has been relentlessly escalating tensions across the border. Civilians near border areas have been witnessing heavy artillery shelling since air strikes.  As of now, alert Indian Air Force shot down six Pakistan’s spy drones entering India across the Western border. Indeed, unexploded bombs dropped by Pakistani drones are recovered from the residential areas Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar. For all the tall promises, Khan didn’t make any sincere attempt post-Pulwama to cull and extricate terrorists.

On the contrary, Pakistan government stopped UN team from interviewing Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks and sought removal of his name from the UN list of banned terrorists. While Pakistan government announced that Saeed won’t lead Friday prayers, he is replaced by Abdul Rauf, a designated international terrorist, chief of banned outfit JuD (Jamaat-ud-Dawa). Similarly, Khan is all set to appoint retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah, as National Security Adviser (NSA), suspected of plotting Late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto assassination and known to have close links with Taliban. Indeed, such is the reputation of Shah, that Australia refused to accept his nomination as High commissioner. These and several other half-hearted so-called reported counter terrorism measures, hold mirror to Khan’s real intentions. The indiscreet measures of Khan, the “yes man” of Pakistan military is a reflection of the country’s deep state anti-India agenda. At a time when influential Indian left brigade is tirelessly pitching Nobel for Khan, Pakistan’s Supreme Court is about to hear his disqualification case for hiding parentage of a daughter with a partner Sita White in his nomination papers. Coincidentally, Khan’s estranged wife Reham Khan, opened up a Pandora box by divulging stories of about the personal attributes of the former Captain that reeks of racist bigotry and religious intolerance. Abound by contradictions, the only saving grace has been Khan’s humble submission saying that he is not worthy of Nobel Prize. But any person who resolves Kashmir issue would deserves one.

Khan’s statement eventually takes us to another Nobel Prize nomination. Unlike Khan, President Trump in a press briefing days before the iconic Hanoi Summit with Chairman of DPRK, Kim Jong Un disclosed that he has been nominated for 2019 Nobel Prize. Soon, International Media is abuzz with news of Japanese Prime Minister forwarding President Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Prize. Nobel Prize nominations are supposed to be anonymous. The phenomenon of trending of nominations for Nobel marks beginning of a new era. After President’s historic Tuesday joint agreement on the denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula at Sentosa Island, Singapore, 18 Republican lawmakers wrote to Nobel Committee endorsing President’s nomination for Peace Prize. Per-Willy Amundsen right wing Progress Party of Norway had recommended Trump for the Prize after President’s first summit meet with Kim.

Kim’s rigorous pursuit of nuclear ambitions began to pose severe threat to the stability of the North East Asia, President Trump after the initial war of words, offered to negotiate peace talks at South Korea’s behest. Putting aside decades of acrimony, both leaders agreed to establish new links between the US and DPRK, renew efforts to build a regime of longstanding peace and stability, vowed to work towards denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula conforming to 2018 Panmunjom Declaration and to recover and repatriate the remains of PoW (Prisoners of War)/MIA (Missing in Action). As confidence building measure, North Korea repatriated remains of American soldiers. But when it came to real objective of denuclearisation, both countries failed to make any substantial progress. While US awaited a decisive, verifiable action on dismantling of nuclear facilities and arsenal, DPRK wanted a complete lifting of sanctions regime. Much ahead of the Singapore Summit, Strategists were sceptical about the American efforts given the DPRK’s fears of regime change. Notwithstanding these doubts, Trump argued that he would break the jinx and create history for himself by clinching a mutually agreeable denuclearisation agreement. Interestingly, Japan, who felt threatened by the nuclear proliferation, enamoured by the American initiative is believed to have commended Trump’s efforts to restore stability in the region. While some reports suggest that Trump administration has requested Japan to nominate him for Nobel Peace Prize. Unlike Khan, who openly said that he is not worthy of Nobel Prize, Trump who is intent on scripting a history never lost a chance to trumpet his attributes. He even defended Nobel nomination for his efforts to bring peace in Syria while America’s closest ally Israel was spooked by his decision to withdraw troops from Syria.

President Trump, aspirant of Nobel, months before 2018 Singapore Summit, unilaterally pulled out America from the conscientiously worked out iconic Iranian Nuclear Deal alleging Tehran’s non-compliance and unabated missile testing. Trump’s abrogation of treaty and reinstating highest level of sanctions irrevocably miffed Iranian fundamentalists approved nuclear proliferation. By arbitrarily terminating the Iranian deal, Trump not only destroyed the deal but pushed the volatile Middle East into abyss. For all the bravado of commitment to denuclearisation, recently Trump announced America’s withdrawal from the Regan era, Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. Leaving the burden of resurrecting the treaty on Russia within 180 days, America alleged since 2013 Moscow has been grossly violating the agreement by developing new ground launch cruise missiles in the ranges between 500 and 5500 kms. Irked by Trump’s charges, Russia announced its immediate withdrawal. As a result, the treaty will now automatically annul in six months. This development has sparked fears of new arms race. Soon, Russia announced successful test firing of Yats Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System capable of carrying thermonuclear war heads. Russia alleged America continues to test its ICBMs several times a year launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Marshall Islands. As of now America and Russia’s nuclear arsenal are kept under restraint by 2010 New Start treaty which expires on 2021. But with both parties hardly evincing any interest to negotiate five-year extension, fears of global security are abounding. Trump’s boastful claims of a breakthrough fell flat after his talks with Kim reached a deadlock at Hanoi. Days after Hanoi Summit, DPRK has resumed missile testing with the same gusto throwing a spanner into the much boastful claims of President Trump’s denuclearisation attempts.  

The case studies of Trump’s and Khan’s nomination for Nobel Peace Prize has opened up a new dimension about the rectitude or commitment of individuals motives for greater global harmony and peace. According to Alfred Nobel’s will- “person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses” shall be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Since World War-II people who made phenomenal contributions towards nuclear disarmament, human rights, democracy and peace negotiations were richly rewarded with Nobel Peace Prize. Considering the hysteria for the Nobel nominations in recent time, it is time to contemplate whether a feverish rallying for undeserved people by themselves or their lobbies is even desirable. This imbecilic euphoria for the coveted global honours should never be held hostage for narrow political gains or to prove a point.

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With double speak and tokenism Pakistan is eroding its low international credibility

Pakistan has become listless since India’s air strikes on the terror camps on Feb 26^th. Even before India could officially make an announcement, Pakistan’s ISPR twitter handle lashed out at India for violating its borders. Since then Islamabad has been taking umbrage of falsehood and lies. Dismissing Indian claims of inflicting damage on the Balakot terror camp, Pakistan chose to belittle attacks by Indian air force. Indeed, they frivolously remarked, except for loss of vegetation and few trees Pakistan has suffered no damage. Some international publications too carried out stories corroborating Pakistani claims. The Indian opposition leaders who initially hailed IAF began demanding proof of the damage incurred giving ammo to Islamabad. Indian leaders who openly taunted the government sought to know the exact number of casualties. With political discourse getting heating up, IAF provided a high-resolution satellite imagery of the Balakot camp. Unfortunately, technologically challenged opposition parties belied to approve of the wrath incurred by Israeli Spice-200 precision bombs with no visible signs of scorching or any physical damage to structure of the buildings. While Indian opposition continue to rave, it has been more than nine days to the attacks and Pakistan continues to block access of international media to the madrassa on the hill top. It doesn’t need rocket science to decipher that Pakistan’s madrassa headed by sham Maulanas who doubled up as recruiting and training agents for terrorists suffered irreparable damage.  Cowered at the prospect of international scrutiny Pakistan defiantly maintained and mocked India at missing the targets. But Islamabad’s recalcitrance to providing media access to the affected region had invariably blown the lid off the closely guarded lie.

The saga of trepidations and blatant lies have deepened suspicions of international community towards Pakistan. Pakistan’s communication which is riddled by duplicitous claims is now denting its credibility. At the behest of the deep state, which dictates terms to the toothless civilian government, Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address to India, claimed that Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian jets and is in possession of three pilots. But within hours, India punctured Pakistani lies with an official statement of one Indian jet being shot down in a dog fight with Pakistan’s F-16 which was subsequently felled by Indian wing commander Abhinandan, who happened to parachute onto the Pakistan side. Islamabad intended to use PoW (Prisoner of War) as a bargaining chip, but under intense international pressure Islamabad was forced to return the pilot within 48 hours of his captivity. India subsequently dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of downing India’s second jet as figment of imagination. Also till now, Pakistan has failed to produce any video footage to substantiate its claims. In the meanwhile, the over-enthusiastic Pakistan media reported that Islamabad had successfully thwarted the combined Indo-Israeli air strikes against Pakistan. Adding heft to the conspiracy theories Pakistani political analyst Zafar Hilaly alluded that his country has Israeli pilot in its custody. Islamabad’s frivolous theories and irresponsible claims have widely eroded its credibility. Hitting a new low with every new lie now Pakistan has inadvertently brought Israel into the Indo-Pakistan hostilities.

Responding to Imran’s promise of “Naya Pakistan” under his leadership would act on the “actionable intelligence” if India provides evidence, India has submitted a dossier of JeM’s role in Pulwama attacks on Feb 28^th. Simultaneously, India has shared excerpts of dossier with UNSC members. As expected, Pakistan rejected Indian charges and shot back indicating explosives and vehicle used the Pulwama attack were of Indian origin. The attack was carried out by Kashmiri. Pakistan exonerated JeM of all the terror activities. It rejected India’s proof of evidence of shooting down of Pakistan F-16 which illegally entered Indian space and dropped bombs on Indian military installations. Thanks to India’s massive diplomatic rallying Pakistan is now cornered and America is now examining the terms of F-16 sale. Amidst heightened global scrutiny, China dispatched its vice foreign secretary to Islamabad. In characteristic contrived virtue signalling, Pakistan placed 44 members of the proscribed JeM, including two family members of Masood Azhar in preventive detention. Calling the bluff of Pakistan’s insincere counter terrorism practices banned Harkut-ul Mujahideen founder Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil joined Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the next day.

Contradicting Pakistani government stance and exposing the duplicity of these token measures, Major General Asif Gafoor in an interview to CNN mentioned that JeM doesn’t exist in Pakistan. It has been proscribed by UN and Pakistan and reiterated that Islamabad is not going to do anything under anybody’s pressure. Asif Gafoor’s affirmations stand in sharp contrast to the Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s who admitted that Masood Azhar is unwell to an extent that he can’t even move from his house a week ago. Pakistan’s repeated flip-flops, incongruent and incoherent communication is raising severe doubts about Pakistan’s probity as a nation. By now it is well established that Pakistan is mothership of terror. Imprints of terror attacks across the world can be tracked backed to Pakistan. Its sham counter terror exercise just days after every major cross-border terror attack has been an eye wash. Pakistan’s balderdash of crackdown on terror is just an empty rhetoric as terrorism is its state policy. To evade international approbation, Pakistan army is mainstreaming terrorists. Conversely, terror outfits are rebranding themselves as philanthropic organisations and carrying out its operatives under new names. In 2018, Parliamentary elections, terror outfits even floated a political party. With Pakistan’s election commission refused to recognise the newly formed political outfit, several terrorists contested the elections as independent candidates to escape international censure. Thus, Pakistan government claims of seizing control of 182 Madrassas and detaining over hundred terrorists’ stands is just absolutely meaningless.  Coming under intense pressure from India, Iran and Afghanistan that experienced similar attacks by Pakistani terrorists on their security personnel around the same time as Pulwama attacks, Khan pledged to crackdown terror. Accordingly, Pakistan government banned Hafiz Saeed from leading the Friday sermons. But by denying access of the UN team to interview Hafiz Saeed Islamabad has exposed its symbolic tokenism on counter terrorism.

To counter the wanton propaganda of Pakistan, MEA demanded “credible, verifiable and sustained” against the JeM. Taking a dig at Khan’s “Naya Pakistan with Nayi Soch” India called on Pakistan to curb support to terrorists and terror infrastructure. India questioned Pakistan’s intent of propagating “false narratives of the events” and debunked the fictitious stories of Pakistan of downing two Indian jets and demanded the whereabouts of other pilots in its custody. Sending a terse message, India remained undeterred and reiterated its “resolute determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words”. With audacious air strikes Modi regime signalled its unforgiving approach towards Pakistan whose ideological pillars have been anti-Indianism and Islamism. But the self-loathing Indian opposition which is running for shelter in the face of Modi’s decisive approach is yielding ground to Pakistan. By singing praises of Imran Khan to the extent of announcing plans of nominating him for Nobel Peace Prize for releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan which is ordained by Geneva Convention, opposition is letting India down. Even the OIC, where Pakistan commands respect as founding member has refused to include Kashmir in the Abu Dhabi declaration. While the opposition continue to rant against air strikes due to their hatred for one man-Prime Minister Narendra Modi, international community which is convinced of Pakistan’s duplicity is extending unequivocal support for diplomatically isolating Pakistan.

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India’s moment of spirited diplomatic engagement with OIC

On Friday, the first day of March, India cherished two path breaking events which exemplified country’s increasing diplomatic heft-the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan and India occupying a high chair at pan-Islamic institution. Scripting a new a mile stone, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was invited as Guest of Honor on the eve of the Golden jubilee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) addressed the second largest international forum after the UN. Inline with the theme of the OIC, the year of tolerance, UAE extended invitation to India, a non-Muslim country, to preside over as guest of honor at the OIC summit. As a representative of 185 million Indian Muslims, third largest conglomeration in the World, Swaraj carried the message of the Indian Muslim brethren to OIC.

After stupendous victory of BJP, in the 2014 general elections, it was widely assumed that India’s relations with the Gulf countries might take a hit. Much to the consternation of critics, Prime Minister Modi, who had no diplomatic baggage, engaged with the Muslim nations proactively. Invoking India’s civilizational, cultural, religious and financial linkages Modi energized the bilateral ties with all the strategically important Muslim nations. To his credit, he effortlessly, reinvigorated India’s ties with all the countries in the gulf region. On his visit to UAE, Modi made an impressive progress in especially cultivating special ties with crown Prince of UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, fondly referred as MBZ. Against the precedent of inviting either a head of state or head of government as guest of honor for the Republic Day celebrations, as mark of recognition of India’s growing strategic congruence with UAE, New Delhi extended a warm invitation to MBZ for the Republic Day Parade in the year 2017. Indeed, for the first time in 2017, 179-member strong UAE military contingent marched along with Indian soldiers on Republic Day heralding the unfoldment of new era of friendship and solidarity. Similarly, Modi pioneered India’s strategic engagement with Saudi Arabia. As a mark of India’s growing recognition in global realm, Saudi conferred highest civilian award, King Abdul Aziz Sash on Prime Minister Modi.  Exuding a rare diplomatic acumen, Modi strengthened India’s ties with three rival countries of the region-Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel. Unencumbered by diplomatic diffidence, Modi openly endorsed India’s strategic partnership with Israel during his historic visit. Underpinning the India’s growing engagement with Middle Eastern countries, UAE invited India to be guest of honour at the plenary session of OIC 2019. The recognition, which come in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack that killed 40 Indian security personnel took Pakistan by surprise. Pakistan has always used the platform of OIC to buttress its position on Kashmir and censure India.

This new development in the background of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan inadvertently reminded India of its unpleasant disinvite to OIC fifty years ago. Desecration of the Al-Asqa Mosque at Jerusalem in 1969 catalyzed the formation of pan-Islamic institution, OIC to foster the cultural, social, economic and political interests of the global Muslim community. The delegation led by India’s ambassador to Morocco, Gurubachan Singh Congress attended the first OIC summit meet at Morocco, Rabat. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Jordan King Hussein of Jordan suggested that India, which has largest Muslim minority should be a part of OIC but President of Pakistan Yahya Khan was averse to this idea. Pakistan, the largest Muslim country believed that Muslim majority country or a country headed by Muslim representative is alone eligible to be part of OIC.  He was averse to induction of Indian delegation led by non-Muslim and threatened to boycott. On the second day of the session, Khan remained in the hotel and refused to attend conference.  At Pakistan’s insistence, India’s invitation was rescinded by King Hassan-II of Morocco, who feared that non-attendance of Yahya Khan would lead to historic failure of first OIC summit. Indeed, Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman was summoned to plead Indians to withdraw involuntarily from the summit. Consequently, Indian delegation returned home without attending concluding session. Congress leader, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed reached Morocco was asked to either accept the observer status or withdraw. After the Rabat fiasco, India withdrew its ambassador from Morocco and stayed away from OIC. Ever since, Pakistan continued to block India’s observer status to OIC. In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on his India visit suggested that India should be an Observer at OIC and last year, Bangladesh has proposed that India’s observer status. But Pakistan blocked it. While it is argued that according to OIC charter, Muslim countries willing to promote the objectives of the OIC are eligible to gain membership, non-Muslim countries have become observers and full members. In 2005, Russia became observer, two years after President Putin announced that Russia was a “Muslim power”. To appease the Chechnya Muslims, Putin expressed his interest to work with Muslim countries. Similarly, Buddhist country Thailand became observer in 1998.

Fifty years since Rabat incident, foreign minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi threatened to boycott the summit, if India would preside over the Plenary as the guest of honor. Muslim countries didn’t yield to Pakistan’s protests. Expressing its displeasure abundantly, Pakistan announced that it will not attend the 46^th session of OIC’s Council for Foreign Ministers (CFM) and announced that a joint resolution passed members of Parliament decided that Pakistan shouldn’t attend the meeting. On March 1^st, Sushma Swaraj became the first Hindu Woman to address the plenary on the Golden jubilee eve of OIC, an empty chair for founder member Pakistan eloquently signified its absence.

Carrying the message of Prime Minister Modi, as a representative of Indian Muslims, Swaraj expressed deep appreciation for the invitation extended by MBZ. Invoking India’s deep emotional bonds with various Muslim nations spanning from shores of South east Asia to Latin America, including the Central Asian and African nations, Swaraj appreciated role played by OIC in bringing people of common faith together. Harping about changing global power shifts and the challenges faced by countries Swaraj effortlessly segued into the specter of terrorism and the inhuman violence caused by the extremism. “Terrorism and extremism bear different names and labels. But in each case, it is driven by distortion of religion and a misguided belief in its power to succeed. The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion”. She added, none of the 99 words that describe Allah mean violence. Similarly, each and every religion in the world essentially stand for peace, compassion and brotherhood and quoted verses from Koran and teachings of Guru Nanak. Underscoring the pluralistic nature of Indian civilization, Swaraj quoted Rig Veda and Swami Vivekananda. She stated terrorism is a “contest of ideas and ideals.” If countries want to save the humanity from the menace of terrorism, without naming Pakistan, she said, “we must tell the states who provide shelter and funding to the terrorists, to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorist camps and stop funding and shelter to terror organizations based in their countries. I would like to say that this menace could not be fought only through military, intelligence and diplomatic means. It is also a battle that must be won through the strength of our values and real message of religions”. Making a fervent appeal that OIC has a greater responsibility and opportunity to make this planet a better place to live, pledged India’s support in “advocating moderation over extremism and pluralism over exclusion”.

After India’s big day at OIC, some strategists hailed the event as India’s major “diplomatic coup”. But India’s vivacity evaporated and critics began to lash out after Pakistan managed to bring out special resolution on Kashmir criticizing “India’s intensified barbarities since July 2016”, “illegal detentions and disappearances” and endorsed “plebiscite” for resolving the Kashmir issue. Responding to the resolution, MEA reiterated, “as regards resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, our stand is consistent and well known. We reaffirm that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India”. While critics took a swipe at the current political dispensation for it vainglorious adventure at OIC it now emerges that Pakistan exerted pressure to pass this resolution on Kashmir.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz protested OIC plenary for inviting India and prevailed upon Saudi Arabia and UAE to rescind invitation to India. Notwithstanding Pakistan’s strident protests, UAE extended a warm welcome to Swaraj. To this end, Pakistan’s resolution on Kashmir at OIC was a major victory for Islamabad. Fresh reports threw light on the inside story at OIC which suggest that Kashmir issue is not part of the final communique of the Abu Dhabi declaration. The joint declaration is one adopted by all the 57-member countries of the OIC. Despite Pakistan’s numerous protestations, UAE didn’t give, as a result, Kashmir didn’t finally figure in the final draft passed by the 46^th CFM, OIC session. An OIC official clarified member countries can move their own resolution reflecting national interests which go unopposed. Omission of Kashmir from the final declaration is a major diplomatic victory for India. The only time when Kashmir wasn’t referenced was the 43^rd session of OIC, Tashkent Declaration.

By and large, OIC is a toothless organization which failed to rein in on aggressors that continue to wreak havoc in the Middle East. Though OIC is the largest Islamic institution it floundered in bringing a semblance of unity among its member countries indulged in internecine wars. Despite the loud talk of Muslim brotherhood, Middle East continues to be a cauldron of Sunni-Shia conflicts. In its five decades of existence, OIC failed to evolve as a cohesive force. Till now, OIC had always sided with Pakistan and alienated India despite New Delhi’s solidarity towards Muslim causes. Given the inherent fissures and infightings, OIC is no longer a cohesive institution. By consequence, its condemnation may not be reflective of the aspiration of all Muslim countries in the group. But OIC holds key to India’s energy requirements and employs over 8 million Indians who send valuable remittances to the motherland. India can’t afford to shy away from engaging with OIC which is a front for Muslim countries across the globe. OIC in part affects India’s national interests as well. Cognizant of OIC’s growing clout and economic stature, China applied for Observer status in 2012. Beijing is coopting with OIC countries to give wings to a Sino-Centric emerging World order.

For long Pakistan has vetoed India’s engagement with OIC. Given the invaluable growth opportunities India can offer as a fastest developing economy and its commitment to pluralism, Gulf nations wary of extremism and terrorism are keen on cementing ties with New Delhi. Needless to say, Modi’s renewed push to India’s productive engagement with UAE and Saudi Arabia has been at the root of New Delhi’s newfound importance at OIC. At a time, when India is striving to emerge as responsible regional power a new recognition at OIC opened up a new opportunity for India to engage with Muslim conclave. With power centers increasingly shifting from West to East, India has larger role to play. New Delhi shouldn’t be averse to prospect of forging “non-ideological and interest-based relationships” with OIC.

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