Tag Archives: India-Pakistan relations

Indian government’s anxiety is understandable due to its failed and failing policies both at home and in the region, from a floundering economy to a serious mistake in Kashmir to a completely sidelined position in the context of Afghan issues. However, what India fails to understand that no matter whatever its size or its economy’s sliding international appeal, it has to live in a region, with neighbors.

While Pakistan is going through a reset, your government can help it pursue this path by  stepping down from your thus far hard-line posturing towards Pakistan, writes on Pakistani analyst to India's re-elected leader.

A partnership for peace based on sincerity and verifiable actions is the best promise for Pakistan and India to achieve detente. Enhanced bilateral trade is another mutually beneficial track that can help the two sides create stakes in peace.

Regardless of which way Kulbhushan Jadhav case eventually settles down, the current moods in New Delhi and Islamabad deliver ample evidence that the hard-talk accompanied by bitter acrimony is likely to continue for quite some time.

India needs subtle strategies to contain and counter “threats” from Pakistan. The jingoistic and threatening rhetoric in a section of Indian media in response to each “provocation” from Pakistan does India no good. India’s power ought to be felt by its adversaries and not flaunted.

Indian and Pakistani diplomats reflect on suspicions touching paranoia, especially over questions such as terrorism, in New Delhi and Islamabad. Maleeha Lodhi warns Pakistan that goodwill alone cannot substitute strategy while Satyabrata Pal insists that lasting peace can only come by resolving outstanding disputes over Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek.

Moving away from Siachen and Kargil mindsets in both India and Pakistan won’t be easy. But big crowns come stuffed with thorns. Even the smallest ambition for peace between India and Pakistan needs statesmanship and roadblock-mitigation. Hope is not a plan, no matter how audacious.