Daily Times

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi came on a very informal and very brief visit to Pakistan, which was a huge surprise for the general publics of both countries. However, the recent reports aired by the Indian media suggest that this trip was actually planned beforehand but was deliberately kept confidential. Many circles in both countries are criticising this visit but this opposition can be regarded as political opposition as this trip was widely hailed not only here but also across the border. This was the first ever visit of a top Indian official in recent years so it can rightfully be regarded as a diplomatic breakthrough in the relations between the two countries, which have been very sour in recent years. Many analysts are also very surprised about the U-turn in Modi’s stance towards Pakistan as he has been very critical and hostile towards his immediate neighbor, which has only escalated the tensions. Whether it is firing at the Line of Control (LoC), the Kashmir issue or the matter of playing cricket his government has been very relentless and uncompromising, something that many critics attribute as his hardline policy to win over the support of fundamentalist groups that have always been his mainstay. However, in the recent state elections in Bihar, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had to face a humiliating defeat at the hands of secular parties, which was considered as a big blow to his hardline policies and was cited by many critics as the referendum against his aggressive stance, which was never liked in international circles but also by serious quarters of Indian society. Many people termed his policies as a serious threat to the Indian secular identity, which is usually boasted about as the greatest asset of the nation all around the world.

Earlier, Indian journalists broke the story of the secret meeting of the two PMs, which was later denied by the spokespersons of both the PMs. Although many opposition parties in both the countries tried to make political mileage by strongly criticising the said meeting but after the denial this story was lost in the haze. Many circles in Pakistan have always been questioning the Nawaz government about its friendly stance towards India and regard this as his personal business interest, claiming that Mr Nawaz Sharif has made huge investments in India and he just wants friendly relations in order to safeguard his wealth, a claim which has always been denied by the Sharif family. Some quarters cite the recent visit as the continuation of his personal ties as they regard Mr Modi’s visit a personal goodwill gesture rather than national visit as one of the top Indian businessmen was behind arranging this brief visit, which is being regarded as birthday diplomacy. However, there are others who support this back door diplomacy and are of the view that such a visit cannot be made until the details are shared with the establishment, which has always been very critical about unconditional ties. This claim is endorsed by the foreign secretary’s statement after the visit that the military establishment and the civilian government are on the same page as far as talks with India are concerned. This claim does appear to have more logic as the ice has started to melt in the ties between the two nations after the meeting between the two national security advisors last month, which was informally regarded as talks between the two establishments.

This meeting was indicative of the fact that the civilian government has the nod of the military establishment for normalising ties with our immediate neighbour as our national security advisor is the former chief of southern command, which takes care of the trouble hit Balochistan province where the military establishment has been severely critical about alleged Indian involvement. Many religious parties and Kashmiri leaders are criticising the recent talks and they seriously doubt the current Indian government’s gesture as they have their own explanation to support their argument. They are of the view that the Indian government did not approve the cricket series with Pakistan, which should have actually taken place after the Indian foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan and holding this series could have symbolised the improving relations between the two nations but the Indian government decided otherwise. PTI Chief Imran Khan visited India recently and held informal talks with the Indian PM discussing the matter of renewing cricketing relations between the two nations but Modi only smiled and remained silent on this issue about which Imran said afterwards that he could not decipher the Modi’s stance.

Many analysts are of the view that Pakistan should be very cautious about expressing its stance as they regard the recent change in the Indian government’s stance as just an attempt to take off international pressure and to restore its falling image. Therefore, those who expect to have sound development in building ties between the two nuclear nations are just building castles in the air. Whatever the case, the people of both countries just want peace as there is no other solution to their problems. These neighbours cannot be changed but the relations between them can be so it is hoped that the leaders of both nations realise this need by thinking objectively keeping away their bias and prejudices to usher in a new era of prosperity in the region.

The writer is a freelance columnist