Signalling resumption of bilateral talks Prime Minister Modi
reached out to his counterpart Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan along the sidelines of
SCO meet at Ufa, Russia. The dialogue initiated by the Indian side ended more
than 11-month stalemate with Pakistan. Observers on both sides touted this meet
as “ice-breaking” since it was followed by an impromptu joint statement read by
the foreign secretaries of two countries, a gesture which raised hopes on both
sides. The joint statement deliberately avoided a mention of Kashmir issue and
instead it was decided that National Security Advisor (NSA)s of the both
countries will discuss all issues connected to terrorism. The other contents included early meetings of
DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers, release of fishermen in each other’s custody
along with their boats within 15days, mechanism to facilitate religious tourism
and both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai trials
case which includes additional information like providing voice samples. This
statement was welcomed by both the sides initially. Hence the momentum of the
dialogue assumed greater significance.
The bilateral meet was followed by welcoming of India and
Pakistan as full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO),
another platform where both nations can work together towards economic growth.
The deliberate avoidance of Kashmir and replacing it with discussions on all
issues related to terrorism infuriated Pakistan. Within 24 hrs of the meet
Sartaz Aziz, National Security Advisor of Pakistan issued a terse statement,
backtracking on all the issues of the joint statement. This significant
discordant U-turn dampened the spirit of dialogue completely. All the hopes of
revival were dashed as he pronounced that no dialogue can be possible without
Kashmir issue on agenda, he quashed the idea of voice samples, sought more
evidence from India and further extended Iftar dinner invitation to
separatists. A quick turn of events soon ensued whereby Pakistan resorted to 11
major incursions in 5 days. India in continuance with the spirit of friendship
reached out to its neighbour in spite of the fateful killing of BSF jawan
during the cross fire opened by Pakistan on the day of bilateral talks.
While this is not the first instance of Pakistan
transgressing on its promise, it is high time that India recalibrates its
foreign policy strategy towards Pakistan. Flip-flops have been the backbone of
Pakistan diplomacy. Indian civilian government unlike the Pakistan’s army
controlled regime rooted in robust perfidy made sincere attempts to restore
peace. But with a change in the leadership at helm of affairs India’s
engagement process with Pakistan impregnated with political peace fantasies
failed to accomplish a strategic breakthrough. Over the past seven decades
while overwhelming optimism was meted out by enthusiastic peace talks cross
border violations were followed by long dud in bilateral engagement. This
process of engagement and disengagement followed by the Indian side has failed
to make any gains. Indian position was thus marred by periods of intermittent
dialogue and diplomatic stalemate.
The oft experienced pattern of quick U-turns has been the
symbolic approach of our eastern neighbours too who incessantly barge into the
Indian side along the LAC. But systematic incursions of China failed to
puncture Indian weariness. In fact India has been holding regular peace talks
with Chinese officials unfailingly. It is time that Indian policy makers follow
similar strategy towards Pakistan. After assuming power the NDA government
signalled forces to retaliate aggressively on ground. This pre-emptive approach
towards Pakistan should be backed by regular dialogue. India needs to understand
that war and peace can together and way forward can be consistent engagement.
While the Pakistan’s witch-craft theories and sinister plots
continue to make rounds it is time that India should strategically tackle the
combined Sino-Pakistan attack. China having mastered the art of diplomacy
recently conferred full membership to India and China to take a moral high
ground of its affability towards both nations. India should take a leaf out of
Chinese foreign policy strategy. During Modi’s recent visit to China he has
extended a high profile electrifying reception and trade agreements worth $20
billion were signed. When Modi during
the course of bilateral talks appealed Beijing to resolve the border issue
which has been a bone of contention, Chinese government decided to remain
silent. Instead China reckoned Modi’s
visit as most successful visit and hasn’t shied away from making ignominious
attacks on India. Further it has vetoed India’s move on Lakhvi at the UN. In spite
of India expressing its serious concerns about the proposed China-Pak economic
corridor running through Pok with President Xi nothing much has changed. Just
as the covert bhaichara displayed by China has been a major photo-op, India
should understand the importance of “iron fist in velvet gloves”.
Both Pakistan and China are greedy nations and are hell bent
on usurping strategic Indian provinces. While Pakistan wants to confiscate PoK
(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and a portion of Kashmir valley, China has its eyes
on Aksai Chin and Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The duo have
constructively formulated an India containment policy and inflicted significant
damages. Besides, China has been instigating the combined front of the NE
militants across the Myanmar border to wreak havoc in the eastern states. Hence
India’s pragmatic two-pronged policy should now work towards revving up
diplomatic and defence capabilities. Besides India must now bolster its image
on the global platform and reincarnate itself as an assertive nation. This must
definitely include a strategy where India continues to work in close tandem
with South East Asian Nations.
As a propitious beginning to the new strategy notwithstanding
the constant flare-ups across the borders, Indian foreign secretary has ruled
out that war is not an option. He reiterated that India will give “effective
and forceful” reply to the unprovoked firing and cross border killings. While
the saboteurs might craftily hitch new plans to derail the dialogue process
through repeated violations India must not relent and continue to engage with
Pakistan. This strategy will give India enough room to manoeuvre and claim that
in spite of its unstinted commitment towards peace through dialogue Pakistan
has been the perpetrator.
Modi government seems to have realised the game plan of
Pakistan and China. Determined to resolve the border issue Modi has extended a
friendly hand to Pakistan by inviting him to his swearing-in ceremony and
opened his innings as a Prime Minister with diplomatic dialogues. But Pakistan
habituated to border violations and pushing infiltrators was back to its old
habits. In the meanwhile, NDA government
promptly sent tough messages across the border by counteracting every
unprovoked firing strongly.
Unfortunately talks between the two countries were called off in August
2014 as the foreign secretary of Pakistan wanted to hold dialogue with Hurriyat
leaders in the position of stake holder of Kashmir. After 11 months India has
reached out to Pakistan for diplomatic talks at Ufa. The new reformulated
strategy towards Pakistan for now encompasses diplomatic dialogue and an
aggressive fight on ground. The robust plan designed by Narendra Modi, Ajit
Doval and Manohar Parrikar to mitigate Pakistani tactics has just begun and its
stringent implementation might pave way for a major break-through.
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