Probably better off using honey than vinegar
Every time Pakistan manages to successfully navigate a bilateral collaboration effort, be it a trade agreement or a military exercise, the press promotes it as the greatest achievement any country could hope to achieve. One example is the recent Pakistan-Russia military exercise which was propagated by Pakistan’s media as a sign of Pak-Russia “friendship” developing in leaps and bounds but also – and, perhaps, more importantly – as Russia cold shouldering India. This was much needed at the time, considering what was known as the “Indian orchestrated boycott” of the SAARC summit. The news was taken as proof that concerns about Pakistan’s growing regional and international isolation were rubbish and could be dismissed. All is well. Business as usual.
Except it’s not, really.
Only yesterday, Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin signed off on an agreement allowing India to buy Russian S-400 antiaircraft defense systems, joint production of Ka-226T helicopters for use in reconnaissance and the transportation of troops and to build four naval frigates for India. That doesn’t sound like a cold shoulder.
In fact, if news of collaborations like the Pak-Russia military exercise creates the kind of buzz it did, it doesn’t mean that this stroke of genius was all we needed. Rather, it means we need more like it. Following such a move, Pakistan can’t afford to rest on its laurels or blame its neighbours for its foreign relations fiascos. Covert destabilisation efforts by India notwithstanding, the success of our regional and international relations will be determined by the effectiveness of a sound foreign policy.
In international relations, there are no friends; there are only timely, mutually beneficial alliances. And if Pakistan intends on building such alliances, it must focus all its diplomatic efforts on peace building starting with some serious thought to its public diplomacy strategy. The Kashmir crisis, the LOC and River water dispute are all real problems we share with India, but if we want some weight in our corner in the international arena, we need to build our alliances in the region. And building these relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal and yes, even India is the responsibility of the Pakistani government.
