Daily Times

The Government of Pakistan along with other challenges is focusing to formulate a vigorous foreign policy. It is a Herculean task but they are motivated to set the foreign policy preferences. They have adopted an approach of conflict resolution to review their relations not only with Eastern and Western neighbours but also with Muslims world and great powers.

It is the foremost goal of Pakistan not to confront any country but there would be no compromise on its national interests and national security. However, the incumbents at the helm of affairs are taking significant steps towards improving Pakistan’s relations with the neighbouring and significant geopolitical countries like China, Iran, Saudia Arabia, India, and Afghanistan.

Pakistan is well aware of the fact that the improvement in neighbourly relations would reduce hostility in the region which would bring prosperity to the region. Pakistan is on the track of bringing peaceful relations with India and Afghanistan, to life. The international system is moving towards multipolarity. So, it is in the strategic interest of every state to develop good relations with countries to avail new opportunities and counter all the challenges for economic prosperity, regionally and globally, both at on bilateral and multilateral levels.

South Asia has significant geo-strategic importance in world politics. The sea lanes in the Indian Ocean are considered among the most strategically important in the world which makes South Asia an important region for trade and global security. The Pakistan Government took a big diplomatic step to initiate the peace process. The vision of the peace initiative is to develop cordial relations on equal footings to improve trade and commercial ties. Such a diplomatic move is beneficial for both countries and can reduce poverty and economics crises. With such positive proposals, Pakistan realised to avail the international platform of 73th Sessions of United States General Assembly to engage with India for regional connectivity and prosperity.

Keeping aside all the hurdles imposed by US and India to isolate Pakistan on both regional and international levels, Pakistan wrote a letter to India. The US and India have placed Pakistan in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) by the global financial watchdog, and the United States has frozen aid to Pakistan for the country’s alleged failure to take serious steps in fighting terrorism and extremism. And on top of all that, Pakistan’s relations with neighbouring Afghanistan are once again returning to the usual blame-game by Afghan Government due to India propaganda and subversion.

The international system is moving towards multipolarity. So, it is in the strategic interest of every state to develop good relations with countries to avail new opportunities and solve mutual problems

Unfortunately, on 22 September India arrogantly rejected the peace initiative, by making an excuse of the issuance of stamps of Kashmiri freedom fighters. Although the stamps were issued on July 24, a day before the general elections were held, the issue was raised by Indian media within 24 hours after New Delhi agreed to the meeting.

Actually, it is in the political interest of India to cancel the talks for their domestic political advantage. The reality is that India did not want to engage with Pakistan and hid its intentions by using old tactics of the blame game and propaganda. Ridiculously, they criticise Pakistani intentions as “the evil agenda of Pakistan” and nullified the importance of dialogue. It disappointed Pakistan as the resumption of the peace dialogue is the need of the time.

India wants its supremacy in the region by suppressing and isolating Pakistan. However Pakistan is now reviewing its strategic ties with China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Afghanistan and Iran which is threatening Indian ideals of South Asian hegemony.

They cannot perceive Pakistan growing and flourishing economically. They try to use the political card of “military adventure” on Pakistan but Pakistanis have warned that any misadventure may turn into a disaster. Pakistan will not bear it. In South Asia, India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and it puts more responsibility on both states to make strategies that will safeguard the interests of the entire region. The role of rational decision makers who can act pragmatically in the time of crises and conflict without any pressures is a necessity. Through this context when we analyse the current situation, the attitude of Indian media, public pressure and their domestic politics instigates decision makers to issue harsh irrational statements. Such an attitude is not only against diplomatic norms but also interrupts the conditions of the deterrence equation, which build stability between nuclear adversaries. Military adventurism is a dangerous step which can cross the threshold and the result would be drastic.

The Government of Pakistan use the international platform to draw the attention of world about Indian human rights violations against and oppression of the people of India-held Kashmir along with Indian stubbornness in peace talks with Pakistan. Pakistan has taken a principled position of dialogue being the only way forward, to ensure regional peace and stability. Globally it should be noted that India’s aggressive policies did not want peace and despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan always makes efforts for peace and stability of the entire region. India has once again wasted a serious opportunity to change the dynamics of the bilateral relationship and has unleashed hatredacross the region. It is high time both the countries realise, that the only way forward through amicable relations as their region is becoming the centre of world economics.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Published in Daily Times, September 28^th 2018.