Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Indo-Pak problems can be solved only when India receives US support' that was published in Newsband

Indo-Pak problems can be solved only when India receives US support

The Modi government deserves to be praised for wanting to open up to South Asia in a big way. The government wants a peaceful South Asia since a peaceful region will be key to realising India’s own growth potential.

But the problem for India is the attitude of Pakistan. After Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with other SAARC leaders, was invited to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony last May, it raised hopes for a positive engagement. But since then, Pakistani and Indian forces have been exchanging fire intermittently across the Line of Control and the international border. That is worrying India.

We have been having these talks with Pakistan for a long time and all we see is how both the parties talk and how Pakistan most of the time don’t abide. Then why hold these futile talks at all. It is high time India indulged in tough talk. Until Pakistan stops encouraging the terrorist groups there will be no use of these visits/talks.

The summit style diplomacy which focuses much on hype and personality cult of respective leaders has yielded less than desired outcomes when it comes to Indo-Pak relationships. Instead pragmatic, realistic and issue based diplomacy which includes every significant stakeholder and which tries to arrive at decision after taking into account every significant issue, may actually produce small yet lasting results.

Pakistan is a tough nut to crack. It's own political atmosphere is riddled by clerics, Taliban, ISI, army and a PM who is always at the receiving end of all these. India has no choice but to continue to engage in a dialogue, at times successfully and most of it in a deadlock.

As history of last 65 years shows, the biggest stumbling block between India and Pakistan coming together as friendly neighbours has been the internal situation of that country and the dominance of Pak Army in external matters specially concerning India. Add to that the obsession of most political parties of Pakistan on Kashmir issue, despite knowing the fact that Kashmir issue can never be solved on Pakistan or Kashmir separatists' terms. These are the two complicating factors.

It seems successive Indian governments make a show of talking to Pakistan to silence the Indian media and some intellectuals who do not tire of advocating talks with that country, no matter that the outcome is well known.

Every time there is an upswing in US-Pak relationship, the Pakistani swagger and bravado goes up a few notches. Now, the greater involvement of China in Afghan affairs emboldens it even more.

Whenever the Indian Government attempts to improve relationship with Pakistan there are certain ground realities that are to be considered, if some success has to be achieved by such a move. (1) Pakistan is not a purely Government controlled state; but the country works under four parallel controls: The elected Government; the Army; the ISI; Mullahs (Terror groups). (2) One main contentious issue is that of Kashmir, vis-a-vis the "disputed" Pak controlled area. (3) There are some splinter groups here such as the Hurriat, Separatists etc. (4) There is the Dawood issue. Unless all of these Groups are allowed to be involved in a combined discussion, any talks for a resolution would be futile. The earlier we decide to look at these realities, the better would be the possibility for some solution. We should achieve success before Chinese enters into the fray.

 If only India wins the support of US, we will be in a position to solve all the Indo-Pak problems. We will have to wait and see as to when US will withdraw its support to Pakistan and lend us its support.