The relations between India and Pakistan have seen a roller coaster ride over the past several years. In November 2008, the relations hit a rock bottom when it became obvious that the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai were executed by people coming from Pakistan.
Many years after that, the relations peaked to a new high when Prime Minister Narendra Modi suddenly landed in Pakistan to meet the then PM Nawaz Sharif in the hope of starting a new chapter in the bilateral relations.
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan sparked a new debate by delivering an emotional speech in which he extended an invitation to India to start bilateral dialogue and work towards improving the relations and starting trade ties between the two countries. But can Pakistan PM’s words be believed? Can India trust its neighbour and take a step ahead towards normalising relations?
PM Imran Khan in his speech described how in Europe, the countries that fought wars over centuries in the past are now best trade partners and have open borders. “If Germany and France can have such friendship, why cannot India and Pakistan forget the past and be friends,” asked Khan.
As foreign affairs experts point out, the biggest problem between India and Pakistan (which is very current and not of the past) is the Kashmir issue and the unavoidable symptom of this problem is the cross border terrorism and violence that certain elements in Pakistan have been encouraging. These do not seem to be going away despite many from both sides of the border talking about peace and improved trade ties between the two countries. Every time, there is process of talks undertaken, it is countered by certain vested interest groups escalating violence in Kashmir or across the border.
The number of Indian soldiers dying in firings across the LoC or attacks from across the border has sharply increased in the past two years. Just recently, there was a terror attack in Punjab at a religious gathering which the Indian intelligence agencies believe to have been supported by Pakistan-based groups. So the big question to be asked is how terror and talks can go on simultaneously?
It is now an openly known fact that the Pakistan establishment is divided in various groups and its difficult to ascertain who is exactly in charge of the country. The government headed by Imran Khan, the Army and the Pakistan ISI may not agree on every issue. Especially when it comes to India and Kashmir, the division in opinion is stark and in such a situation, India finds it very difficult to go ahead with bilateral talks.
India has now decided to reject the invitation extended by Pakistan and made it clear that unless cross border violence is controlled, India will not participate in any dialogue with Pakistan. If Indian soldiers continue to die in firings happening from across the border, how can the civilian government ignore that and get into dialogue with Pakistan’s establishment? Prime Minster Imran Khan will have to do more than deliver emotional speeches to make India take a step ahead in the renewal of bilateral talks.
