Pakistan-India relations

The PM has to step up to the plate

While noting that Pakistan faces a ‘perpetual threat from the East’, COAS Bajwa reiterated that Pakistan Army is fully prepared for an effective response. A normal, matter of fact,  statement that any military chief in any other country facing a similar situation would issue. In Turkey on the same day Nawaz Sharif hinted at involvement of a ‘foreign hand’ in terrorist activities In Pakistan and that Afghan territory was being used against Pakistan. Despite this, he maintained, Islamabad wants friendly relations with India.  Hadn’t his party ended the negative tradition of India bashing in 2013 elections? Sharif desired that Pakistan and India should therefore maintain good relations and avoid involving in conspiracies against each other.

There is apparently little  doubt in the Indian leadership’s mind about Nawaz Sharif’s commitment to peace. What is  questioned is whether the army  shares his views. Despite Gen. Bajwa’s measured response it remains unclear if  the Prime Minister calls the shots. That the decision for Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was  taken’ in principle’ at a meeting held at PM House would convince few. In a democracy the PM would have made the announcement himself perhaps in the form of an address to the nation, outlining the security situation in the country after over two years and eight months of the initiation of  Operation Zarb-e-Azb and explaining the need for the new operation, along with its targets and a possible cut-off date. This would have driven home that the PM was playing the role of a helmsman. Unless he is seen to be in control of the levers of power, his words would carry little weight.

There is a perception that the Modi government is maintaining a hawkish position about Pakistan for certain domestic reasons i.e. the election in some of the important states. It will not take long to test the perception. The results of the UP election would be out by mid March. It would become clear then if New Delhi is willing to talk on its differences with Pakistan. What could still cause problems are doubts about the extent of Nawaz Sharif’s authority