Pakistan and India can build strong relations now
On several occasions since 1999, Pakistan and India have resorted to back channel diplomacy. The talks through former diplomats, generals, civil society representatives and prominent citizens have led to the formulation of out of box solutions. Most recently back channel diplomacy paved the way for Nawaz Sharif’s telephonic call to Narendra Modi, the subsequent attendance by the Pakistani PM of Modi’s inauguration and talks between the two leaders in New Delhi. To keep the process alive Sharif wrote this month to Modi assuring that he was keen to work with him for the “benefit of both nations”.
There are skeptics who question the utility of back channel diplomacy. They point out that Zardari’s visit to India and meeting with Manmohan Singh failed to produce any meaningful result and Sharif’s overtures to Dr Singh last year also ended in smoke. There are, however, others who maintain that there was little possibility of a breakthrough under a beleaguered PPP government and a Congress establishment under pressure from right wing parties and a chauvinistic media. Now is the time, they say, to undertake the exercise.
Despite its various lapses and missteps, the PML-N government still enjoys a strong position in the National Assembly. Again, reflecting the public mood, all major opposition parties are supportive of improvement of ties with India. In India, coming into power with the full support of the Hindu nationalist BJP, Narendra Modi cannot be accused by opponents of being soft on Pakistan. Again, the BJP and PML-N give priority to economic development which requires peace in the region. Another helpful factor is that unlike his predecessor, Gen Raheel Sharif considers the militants a primary and existential threat to Pakistan and has therefore ordered the military operation in North Waziristan Agency. Major changes in the situation on ground provide confidence that diplomacy, both open and back channel, might produce better results this time if pursued with vigour and tenacity.
