In what has been an ambivalent set of claims and counter claims, Pakistan and India have locked horns over the veracity of the ‘surgical’ strikes that India claims to have supposedly conducted in Pakistan. Absurd as the Indian claim is considering the heavy fencing and surveillance of the Line of Control (LoC), some commentators have suggested that the intensity of the Pakistani reaction to this entire episode shows that it was not routine cross-border firing over the LoC as Pakistan claims it to be. It seems lost on them that the Pakistani reaction was in response to the political points that were scored in India over it, which was accompanied with the most virulent form of jingoism. In any case, Indian insistence of having conducted its alleged surgical strike achieves nothing but more hostility between the two South Asian neighbours, and with the act itself being nothing short of brazen aggression.
Amidst all of this belligerence on the part of India, Pakistan must be commended on its part for its measured restraint. While it is easy to pander to jingoistic sentiment to score easy political points, both the civilian and the military leadership have responded to the South Asian crisis in a mature manner. Hence, the statement by the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa that “Escalation and warmongering do not suit anyone” is a continuation of the Pakistani policy of defusing tension and bringing India towards dialogue. Unfortunately, India’s hawkish reaction to the militant attack in Uri goes to show that militants continue to hold their veto towards any attempts at peace between the two countries. And while Indian Prime Minister Modi might be able to gain popularity by pandering to the jingoistic sentiment within his country, he would not be able to achieve lasting peace in South Asia unless he becomes willing to engage in meaningful dialogue with Pakistan.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif’s policy towards India from the start has been one of extending cordiality and improving relations. As absurd as it is to be happening in this day and age, Prime Minister Sharif has received opprobrium for such an approach from within Pakistan, with accusations ranging from him being not patriotic enough to understand the supposedly perpetual Pakistan-India ‘enmity’ to him putting his ‘business interests’ first by appearing to be willing to trade with India. Even the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan has indulged in this point-scoring against Sharif. While none of these accusations merit a response, they have greatly limited government’s ability to take meaningful initiatives towards achieving peace.
If Pakistan and India want to move forward they would have to take concrete measures towards achieving mutual trust and cooperation. Solving some of the less contentious issues first such as the Sir Creek dispute can go long way in paving the way for dialogue on other issues. Moreover, the two countries, instead of talking about revoking treaties, should sign more of them to address the various issues that they jointly face ranging from repatriation of citizens who inadvertently cross into the other countries’ territory to mechanisms that would address acts of cross-border terrorism. Furthermore, the two countries should engage in trade, and to that end sign agreements that are mutually beneficial. It is trade that holds the key towards improving relations, because once moneyed interests get involved, they can act as the best guarantee of maintaining peace. http://dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/03-Oct-16/pakistan-india-the-imperative-of-peace
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