The writer is a freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
The role of diplomacy resembles gathering intelligence and not only helps in decision-making but also projects the soft power of a state. The dominant feature of international relations has always been war that is fought and can be prevented using diplomatic channels. The real art of diplomacy is to achieve objectives and policy goals without going to war that is perhaps the essence of diplomacy. This practice has been called as war by Robert Green in his book “The 33 Strategies of War”. The intensity of this war becomes so great during the peace time and quite often it prevents all-out war and conflicts. Diplomats of great powers have always been pretty much instrumental in exercising their diplomatic skills in the pursuit of achieving desired aims and objectives.
Blitzkrieg is a German term which means “lightning war”. It was Hitler’s strategy that out-manoeuvred and out-flanked his enemies with unprecedented speed and surprise coupled with deception during the Second World War. From that time onwards this concept has dominated the thinking patterns of strategists, diplomats and military thinkers around the globe. Henry Kissinger, a well known diplomat, exhibited this particular behaviour during his diplomatic career.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), though considered by many as not the centre of gravity in the external relations of Pakistan, has carried out a number of diplomatic moves which have significantly impressed the international community. It is quite an irony that India professes “moralism” and “non-interventionism” internationally but actually aims to become a regional “policeman”. Indian foreign policy decisions are always aimed to hurt the interests of Pakistan and now PM Modi aspires to isolate Pakistan. This situation has left no choice for Pakistan but to become proactive in its diplomatic approach.
Pakistan has effectively persuaded China and some other states to deny India’s bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership. India claims to be a responsible nuclear state but this claim becomes questionable when one finds out Indian nuclear scientists at North Korean nuclear facilities. Pakistan’s growing peaceful diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with Russia and China have caused much pain to New-Delhi and in out of desperation India is fueling terrorism across Pakistan. India has failed at BRICS Conference to persuade Russia and China to condemn the so-called Pakistani-supported insurgency. Sartaj Aziz also persuaded OIC’s spokesperson to declare Kashmir to be an international issue and not an internal matter of India.
The Kashmir issue though has gone out of the international limelight up to some extent due to the alleged Uri Attack that is also considered by many analysts to be an “inside-job” by the Indian government to find a pretext to curb the Kashmiri independence movement. The violation of human rights by India and the way it was highlighted by Pakistan has raised alarms in Indian bureaucratic and political echelons. Some people believe that Pakistan is saving the Khalistan card but in the opinion of the author, for more successful execution of Pakistan’s diplomatic blitzkrieg it must also be considered to achieve synergy in this genuine endeavour. It would trigger India to commit another blunder.
Pakistan and India cannot live peacefully as long as India continues to harbour Hindu extremism and encourages Saffron terrorism using its territory
Pakistan and India cannot live peacefully as long as India continues to harbour Hindu extremism and encourages Saffron terrorism using its territory. The Pakistani support for Kashmiri Muslims and Indian Sikhs and other minorities is a matter of the worth and sanctity of human life which the Indian government is completely unaware of. Modi’s aim to isolate Pakistan will have its deadly blowback for India and it is a right moment for Pakistan to launch a massive diplomatic campaign to benefit from the mistakes committed by India. Recently Pakistan expelled some Indian diplomats and there is a need to concentrate more on Indian activities in Pakistan which are clear violation of the Vienna Convention.
Credit must be given to PM Nawaz along with his team including Sartaj Aziz, Tariq Fatemi, Nasir Khan Janjua, Maleeha Lodhi and Ishaq Dar. Islamabad has realised the effectiveness of diplomatic powers and capabilities it possesses. Pakistan will have to accelerate and concentrate on its diplomatic efforts and to be much more pro-active to achieve its objectives and goals on the international level. Had Pakistan been proactive, India would never have gotten the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/12/04/comment/pakistans-diplomatic-blitzkrieg/
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