And Pakistan’s place
Even if Indian PM Modi hadn’t blessed audiences with his thoughts on cross-border proxy war, his presence in Leh – which gained prominence during the Kargil war – was enough. He’s already been to Kashmir twice since taking office which, again, says quite a bit, not the least about his posture as head of state. India’s new army chief, too, has made sure his anti-Pakistan rhetoric stands out more than usual. And if the region’s political culture is any guide, it’s not as if the army-polity belligerence, steadily increasing since the election, is not choreographed.
So why Modi’s one-step-forward-two-steps-back approach with Islamabad? His dilemma is, in fact, pretty similar to Nawaz’s. He has a core right-wing constituency that has been sculpted on long decades of anti-Pakistan ideology. But there is also a progressive trade lobby that is all for opening up to the neighbour. And since Modi actively campaigned on promises of economic restructuring, he is aware of the political thaw that must accompany greater economic interaction. One of the biggest obstacles to such a course on the Pakistani side is, as always, the military. And unfortunately, it seems that New Delhi faces similar constraints, hence the continuous playing to the right-of-centre lobby that must be fed on regressive, confontationalist oratory.
Nawaz has clearly been smarter about shedding his outlook of confrontation But that is not the only point where Modi can take cue from him. Pakistan’s political deadlock, and signs of disintegration, is a clear reminder that foreign outreach is often compromised if the house is not in order. Modi, too, has much to put right about India, from its social problems and economic mess to indications of its currency meltdown. Any foreign agenda at this point, be it liberal or conservative, should take the back seat in India’s own benefit. And once internal matters are settled to the new government’s satisfaction, then it would look nice reaching out. And once it does, it is hoped, it will reciprocate Pakistan’s repeated offers of reconciliation. Anything less would be regressive for both countries.