Daily Times

The recent breakthrough and truce between America and North Korea has triggered a debate on whether such a truce could become a reality in South Asia too.

It is often argued by the global intelligentsia that the world is gradually moving towards regionalism. Meaning that the world is increasingly becoming a repository of regional activities, policymaking and policy execution. In fact, the 20th century already marked the emergence of regional blocs, i.e., the European Union, ASEAN, MENA, etc.

The economic and socio-political dividends of regional understanding on issues and their subsequent resolutions can have far-reaching impacts. However, South Asia seems to be the least integrated region of the world. The apparent reason is a duplicitous attitude on part of major regional countries, especially India.

On the surface, New Delhi has championed regional peace and harmony, but it does not practice what it so eagerly preaches. According to many human rights organisations and international observers, Indian armed forces are massively involved in gross human rights violations and massacre innocent people in the Kashmir valley. In addition, it is committing continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India on the Line of Control (LoC).

When we analyse the methodology of regional integration, major countries, in any power-sharing arrangement, have always given incentives to the rest for the sake of collective progress and development.  Germany, for example, played the role of an anchor for the integration of European countries.

In 1957, the signing of the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC) and spelt out the beginning of the success story of European integration. It focused on developing the economies of Western Europe by strengthening and deepening cooperation and promoting trade among the founder nations. German European policy played a pivotal role at all stages of this process. It was the concept of a European Union initiated by Germany that, in addition to an economic and currency union, had the goal of an extended political union. The Treaty of Maastricht was a significant political step forward and put the first binding pillar in place. The Germans worked for a Europe capable of encapsulating the expectations of the people of the almost entire continent. The fact of the matter is that Germany played a crucial role in successful culmination of European project initiated by six countries.

Chinese policymakers seem to believe in a great African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far go together”. China is transforming its Chinese Dream into the Asian Dream. But India is proving to be a big hurdle by continuing to fight Pakistan

Another illustrious example can be traced in Sino-US engagement in the second half of 20th century. After the Nixon-Kissinger breakthrough in the 1970s, bilateral relations between the two countries were again on the lowest ebb. However, Brzezinski, the then national security advisor to the Carter administration, conceptualised and articulated American intentions to Den Xiaoping about economic integration and opening up between two nations. The formative phase of bilateral relations was Russia-centric and geo-strategic calculations on both sides. However, after the Soviet disintegration, China showed its intentions to further benefit from global economic order and America welcomed this transformation. America further backed Chinese integration in the global market economy in the post-Cold War era. Resultantly, China shifted from a potential rogue state to a responsible and dependable global actor.

The recent example of the concessional attitude of a major power can be seen in Chinese foreign policy in the 21st century. Chinese policymakers seem to believe in a great African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far go together”. China is transforming its Chinese Dream into the Asian Dream. It has given a unique manifesto of collective progress and development of Asian countries. The One Belt One Road (OBOR) comprising of six economic corridors and maritime routes connects more than 60 countries, encompassing three continents together into an economic network.

Hence, when Indian foreign policy towards regional countries, especially Pakistan, is analysed critically, New Delhi seems in no mood for a peaceful coexistence. India is building its military muscle continuously as it has increased its military budget manifold. It is trying to prove that Pakistan is the biggest problem in the region. Its malicious campaign against Pakistan continues; its serving intelligence operatives are tirelessly working to destabilise Pakistan through different means, and its top government officials feel pride in “teaching Pakistan a lesson”.

With the given attitude of Indian political and her security establishment, regional integration and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes look like a utopian idea. Although Pakistan has dealt with nefarious Indian designs with comprehensive military strategies, this pilling up of arms by both belligerent neighbours is disastrous for the innocent people of the region.

India, being a self-proclaimed big brother of the region, should have learnt a few lessons from major actors of other regions, e.g., Germany, US and China etc. These states gave concessions to their regional and extra-regional countries, in certain cases, for the greater interests of the whole region. When Pakistan is looking to resolve its bilateral issues with India, New Delhi is turning a deaf ear to Islamabad’s calls for peaceful settlements of all outstanding issues.

India currently has an edge on the global political chessboard.  However, if India continues with protracted confrontational policies towards Pakistan, South Asia will lag behind in cultivating the fruits of collective regional progress. Although all the stakeholders should perform their part too, the responsibility of regional integration, peace and prosperity, predominantly lies with India.

The writer is an attorney at law and teaches constitutional law and principles of political science at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad

Published in Daily Times, July 3^rd 2018.