Any attempt to bridge the deep divide between India and Pakistan is welcome. The relations between the two countries have had a rollercoaster ride, but marked more for their lows than the highs. International news agencies which cover their rocky relations are always keen to mention that both have fought three wars. And extremists on either side never miss an opportunity to target the ‘enemy’ – more for their narrow political gains rather than anything else.
It’s for these reasons that the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan yesterday assumes huge significance and have set the domestic and international media aflutter. Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif – the first time an Indian premier has visited the rival nation in over a decade. The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by then leader Vajpayee, who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad.
Modi’s visit made headlines both for its diplomacy and drama because, according to reports, he planned the trip just hours earlier before he flew back home from Afghanistan, where he inaugurated a $90m parliament building constructed by India. It was also called birthday diplomacy because Sharif celebrated his 66th birthday yesterday. Both leaders talked for about 90 minutes and shared an early-evening meal before the Indian leader flew back home. Modi has been facing flak in India for his frequent foreign visits, but this is one visit that should be viewed with optimism.
Analysts are highly optimistic that the visit would bring New Delhi and Islamabad closer. Having created a certain bonhomie, Modi and Nawaz would be keen to take steps to make sure that the results of their warm diplomacy are visible on the grounds, especially on their border. Among the decisions taken was that ties between would be strengthened and also people-to-people contact would be strengthened so that a conducive atmosphere can be created for the peace process to move forward. More peace talks are likely to follow, including on the contentious issue of Kashmir. Even if Modi’s visit leads to some people-to-people contacts, it can be considered a huge success because India-Pakistan rivalry and mistrust run so deep that even genuine efforts by liberals on either side for cultural and sports cooperation are thwarted with unusual gusto by extremists and religious political parties.
At the same time, any optimism must be tempered with reality. Both countries could have buried their enmity decades ago if prime ministers had the power to decide the course of their relations. Even if Modi and Sharif want to keep their hands locked in a ‘shake’ of friendship, extremists and hardliners can find a dozen ways to forcibly separate them.
Any attempt to bridge the deep divide between India and Pakistan is welcome. The relations between the two countries have had a rollercoaster ride, but marked more for their lows than the highs. International news agencies which cover their rocky relations are always keen to mention that both have fought three wars. And extremists on either side never miss an opportunity to target the ‘enemy’ – more for their narrow political gains rather than anything else.
It’s for these reasons that the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan yesterday assumes huge significance and have set the domestic and international media aflutter. Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif – the first time an Indian premier has visited the rival nation in over a decade. The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by then leader Vajpayee, who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad.
Modi’s visit made headlines both for its diplomacy and drama because, according to reports, he planned the trip just hours earlier before he flew back home from Afghanistan, where he inaugurated a $90m parliament building constructed by India. It was also called birthday diplomacy because Sharif celebrated his 66th birthday yesterday. Both leaders talked for about 90 minutes and shared an early-evening meal before the Indian leader flew back home. Modi has been facing flak in India for his frequent foreign visits, but this is one visit that should be viewed with optimism.
Analysts are highly optimistic that the visit would bring New Delhi and Islamabad closer. Having created a certain bonhomie, Modi and Nawaz would be keen to take steps to make sure that the results of their warm diplomacy are visible on the grounds, especially on their border. Among the decisions taken was that ties between would be strengthened and also people-to-people contact would be strengthened so that a conducive atmosphere can be created for the peace process to move forward. More peace talks are likely to follow, including on the contentious issue of Kashmir. Even if Modi’s visit leads to some people-to-people contacts, it can be considered a huge success because India-Pakistan rivalry and mistrust run so deep that even genuine efforts by liberals on either side for cultural and sports cooperation are thwarted with unusual gusto by extremists and religious political parties.
At the same time, any optimism must be tempered with reality. Both countries could have buried their enmity decades ago if prime ministers had the power to decide the course of their relations. Even if Modi and Sharif want to keep their hands locked in a ‘shake’ of friendship, extremists and hardliners can find a dozen ways to forcibly separate them.
