Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech is still resonating in Pakistan. The recently concluded seminar on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed numerous charged speeches against India’s alleged subversive activities to sabotage the CPEC project. Last among these speeches came from Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. He said that the army was ready to go to any extent for peace in the country and its security and stability. The army chief spoke about the overall fight against terrorism, security of CPEC projects, strategic importance of Gilgit-Baltistan, and their role in CPEC. Referring to Modi’s recent statements, General Sharif said, “Let Modi and RAW know that our borders are secure. We know our enemy and its conspiracies, and we will leave no stone unturned to defeat those plots.”
Delhi’s ‘apprehension’ of CPEC is known, and it has not made a secret of the same. Sentiments of the people of Pakistan also match that of the army chief, but it is only in Pakistan that such a statement came from the army chief and not the prime minister. At a time when relations between Pakistan and India are already strained, choice of words and person they come from matter a great deal, as diplomatic relations, primarily, hinge on the right rhetoric and the effective intonation.
While Pakistan has been busy highlighting the atrocities of Indian forces in the Indian-held Kashmir, India has been blaming Pakistan for supporting terrorism. While India has historically remained unwilling to negotiate the issues, including Kashmir, Pakistan has continued its efforts to revive the dialogue. But, Islamabad’s support of militant groups and distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terrorists has isolated it in the international arena. It is evident from the recent developments in Kashmir that the world powers have not taken any measure to resolve the issue except for dispensing some cosmetic statements.
In this situation where Pakistan finds itself isolated in the diplomatic arena, it cannot afford to worsen its ties with India. On the other hand, recent developments of India’s improving relations with the US are attributed to counter the Chinese influence in the region. CPEC, when completed, has the potential to connect 64 countries. That future increased influence is a cause of concern for India, and the apprehension made public by Delhi is an evidence of that.
In the current scenario where Pakistan is looking to kick-start its economy with cooperation of the Chinese government, it is as good a time as any to improve relations with all the neighbours, including India, to avoid any future disputes for the sake of millions existing in poverty and despair. India should also soften its stance and start negotiations with Pakistan on all pertaining matters. Moreover, China, in a positive manner, could also use its increasing trade relations with India to bring it to the negotiations table.
Since the current government of the BJP came into power, relations between Pakistan and India have mostly remained on ice other than for a brief respite when the prime ministers and other high-level officials had cordial diplomatic interactions with one another. If India is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, Pakistan should take up the case in the international arena. Moreover, India should also realise that CPEC would connect the whole region, and improved relations with Pakistan could result in India becoming a part of the new regional paradigm. http://dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/03-Sep-16/pakistan-warns-india
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