Where do India and Pakistan stand after Ufa?
The failure to mention Kashmir in the joint statement at Ufa has cost Nawaz Sharif dearly. Had a proper strategy been devised after taking all stakeholders on board, the government would not have to face the music. For this Nawaz Sharif could have postponed the relatively unimportant three-day visit to Norway and spent part of the time in consultations. The belated attempts at damage control have failed to silence the critics. Who will believe Sartaj Aziz when ‘expediting the Mumbai case trial’ finds a place in the joint statement while the K word is not even mentioned? PML-N supporters appearing in TV talk shows are apologetic. There is no end to the barrage of criticism from quarters inside and outside the country.
The wording of the Ufa statement has miffed Pakistan’s supporters in Kashmir. Three major pro-freedom parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the stand taken by Sharif. Syed Ali Geelani has outright rejected the Ufa statement for its ‘wavering’ and inconsistent’ stand. The Mirwaiz has reminded Sharif that Kashmir rather than the Mumbai attack is the core issue between India and Pakistan. Yasin Malik’s JKLF has thrown out the joint statement. To placate those waving Pakistan’s flag inside the occupied valley, Sharif will have to say things that are likely to be used in India to deter Modi from further talks with Pakistan.
If the idea behind Sharif-Modi talks was to pave way for peace, the results are altogether different. Four border incidents have taken place after the Ufa talks. Indian media is blaming Pakistan for unprovoked shelling aimed at helping terrorists to infiltrate into Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan has accused India of sending a pilotless plane to this side of the LoC for the purpose of taking pictures of strategic areas. Indian High Commissioner has been called by FO to register a protest.
Peace with India is vital for Pakistan. But this can be achieved only by taking all the stakeholders on board. The border incidents indicate this was not done.