Nawaz-Modi meeting has set the ball rolling

ISLAMABAD: The 120-second close and focused chat between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the fringes of the climate change conference in Paris has apparently set the ball rolling between the two countries but pessimism persists simply because of influence of hawks, who will try hard to rock the process.

Four key developments have taken place in a quick succession, surprising all and sundry on the two sides. Two of them were kept absolutely secret obviously to avoid the intervention of the hardliners till they occurred or came to an end.

The first event was the very ‘sudden’ informal discussion, lasting just two minutes, in France between the two prime ministers. On the face of it, Modi got down his high horse as he was seen doing a intensive explaining for his handiworks, which kept fueling confrontation and tensions in the region. It appeared as if he was repenting over his intransigence and trying to assure Nawaz Sharif that he has changed his course and is willing to demonstrate his ‘transformation’. Vital

The succeeding far-reaching episodes clearly proved that the deliberations, though very succinct, between the two premiers, were productive and result-oriented.

Had the outcome been any different, the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of Pakistan and India Lt-Gen (R) Nasir Janjua and Ajit Doval, who is also a former spymaster, would not have met for a meaningful dialogue less than a week in Bangkok on December 6 after the ‘surprise’ Paris conversation.

Like the Paris encounter, this parley was also kept as a closely guarded secret till it concluded. After the serious round ended, the two countries decided not to have it under wraps anymore and made it public by issuing a joint statement.

It was not less than a breakthrough in the sense that the Kashmir dispute was also included in the discussions. This was evident from the joint communiqué, also released by the Pakistan Foreign Office: Discussions were held in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere. The NSAs were guided by the vision of the two leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia. Discussions covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, including tranquility along the Line of Control (LoC). It was agreed to carry forward the constructive engagement.

Not only the Nawaz Sharif government but any other civilian administration that would have been in place at this point of time is always instantly lethally whipped by the agenda-driven people if the Kashmir dispute doesn’t find mention in any Pak-India dialogue of this nature for any reason. Since this core issue figured in the present talks, no such venomous brickbats were tossed.

Another fact that stemmed such sort of venomous attacks was that a lieutenant general, who retired just a few weeks ago, led the Pakistani side in the Bangkok dialogue. For having served in the Pakistan army for decades, Janjua can’t be contemptuously described as unpatriotic by conspiracy theorists who do so by following a certain line. They would have definitely behaved differently had a civilian leader held this round and he would have been accused of a ‘sellout’.

The third development that was also certainly triggered by the ‘successful’ talks between Nawaz Sharif and Modi was the arrival of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Islamabad, just two days after the Bangkok meeting of the NSAs, to attend the conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.

Her presence reflected also the classic freakish Indian policy – first consistently deny such visits that finally take place. By making public that India is not going to materialise such trips, it presented itself an intransigent state when it comes to relations with Pakistan. But at the end of the day, New Delhi had to eat its words.

A similar strategy has been pursued about holding of the Pakistan-India cricket series. Over the past few weeks, it has seen many ups and downs mainly due to Indian attitude. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has done well by insisting on sticking to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed before the constant flare-ups. This policy has painted India as a narrow-minded, unyielding and undiplomatic country, earning shame in the global eye.

The Paris encounter and the following developments have not taken place on their own and it is widely believed that a lot of groundwork was done behind-the-scenes, away from the watchful TV cameras, to make this happen. Obviously, intervention, persuasions and encouragement by some foreign powers specifically the United States can’t be ruled out as Washington has publicly lauded these activities.

As per its policy, Pakistan has always been willing to resume dialogue with India, but New Delhi has been looking the other way, bullying and pursuing gunboat diplomacy that has not been acceptable to Islamabad. It seems that Modi has ultimately realised that his belligerent policies have brought massive embarrassment to India and failed to browbeat Pakistan.

Meanwhile, as positive developments are happening between Pakistan and India, raising a ray of hope, the working boundary and LoC, which were continuously rocked by frequent Indian firing resulting in civilian casualties since Modi came to power, are quiet. It is yet to be seen how long this calm will prevail.