Private business affairs or a personalised diplomacy?
The description of Nawaz Sharif’s unannounced meeting with Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal as a huddle between old friends would satisfy few. Sharif is the Prime Minster of Pakistan and not a private citizen. Questions are bound to be asked about the basis of his intimacy with an Indian national. In case Nawaz Sharif’s family has business relations with the Indian steel magnate, this would raise the issue of conflict of interest and compromise Sharif’s position as the Prime Minister. Sharif family’s business interests inside India or close ties with an Indian tycoon are likely to sway the Prime Minister’s opinion in favour of the neighbouring country on important issues. If it was a merely a private visit how come Jindal was taken to Murree without a visa for the hill station?
There is also speculation about Jindal’s visit being a part of some back channel exercise to improve relations between the two countries. Could the huddle be the precursor to a possible meeting between Sharif and Modi? Both Pakistan and India are seeking permanent membership of SCO and are supposed to attend the Astana summit in June. What causes problem is the secrecy maintained about the visit and the way the proceedings of the meeting are being kept confidential. Despite demands from the opposition to divulge what transpired at the meeting things continue to be kept under wraps.
Pakistan has maintained back channel contacts with India in the past also. These were kept out of the glare of TV cameras but there was no cover of secrecy around them. The people who participated from both sides were identified and the issues discussed were made public. Thanks the transparency the back channel talks did not become controversial. If the meeting in Murree was a part of back channel talks, someone from the Indian desk of the FO should have been in the meeting to assist the Prime Minister. At a time when Pak-India relations are at their worst any secret talks while keeping the FO out would rouse suspicions inside the country.
