An Indian army soldier carries an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) to his base between the India-Pakistan border at the Balakot outpost in Poonch, some 250 kilometers (156 miles) from Jammu, India, on Friday, December 18. of 2020. .
Credit: AP Photo/Channi Anand
On August 5, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan was willing to start talks with India, provided New Delhi is ready to resolve the “serious business” by hand. “War is not an option” between the two countries, Sharif said, noting that Pakistan recognizes the importance of diplomatic dialogue and peaceful resolution in its relations with India.
The statement is not new as Pakistan has made similar statements in the past.
However, the moment when Sharif advocates dialogue is complicated. It was made on August 5, the fourth anniversary of India’s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian constitution and the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, it comes at a time when both India and Pakistan are gearing up for general elections.
It raises a crucial question: Are talks possible under the current circumstances?
Talks between the two nations seem unlikely given that Article 370 has been repealed in Indian-administered Kashmir. Until elections are held and new governments are established in both India and Pakistan, this is even more unlikely.
Take one firm and assertive posture, Sharif and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the armed forces, denounced India’s “illegal” and “hostile” actions in stripping Kashmir of its autonomy four years ago. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support the Kashmiris in what he describes as a “just fightagainst India.
India’s decision to end Kashmir’s special status sparked controversy and raised concerns in Pakistan. Pakistani politicians believe that Delhi should not have taken such an important decision unilaterally, especially since Pakistan is also a party to the conflict.
While the merits or demerits of this move to repeal Article 370 can be debated, it is undeniable that Kashmir remains a flash point between India and Pakistan. The long unresolved issue continues to strain relations between the two countries and makes any meaningful dialogue difficult.
Pakistani policymakers have made it clear that any progress in bilateral talks with India can only come if New Delhi shows its willingness to make concessions on the August 5 move. However, given the current stance of the Indian government, it seems unlikely to meet this demand.
Clearly, Pakistan is determined to gain international support on the Kashmir issue, through its statements on the matter.
It is hard to imagine an India-Pakistan dialogue at this time when India has taken steps to reinforce its position that the issue is internal and should not be discussed. An example of this is India’s decision to host a G-20 meeting in Srinagar on its side of the Line of Control in Kashmir, which sparked outrage in Pakistan.
Pakistan has strongly criticized India for choosing to host the G-20 summit in Jammu and Kashmir, term it is a “violation of international law, UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.”
“They are abusing their G20 presidency to push their colonial agenda, but if they think that by holding an event in occupied Kashmir they can silence the voice of the Kashmiri people, then I think they are truly wrong.” Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said recently.
Adding to Pakistan’s concerns, Saudi Arabia and Turkey chose not to send government representatives to attend the G-20 meeting in Srinagar. The non-participation of these three countries raises questions about the legitimacy and inclusion of the event.
In addition, China, an ally of Pakistan that also claims the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet, denounced India for harboring the G-20 meeting in what has been referred to as a “disputed region”.
This adds another layer of complexity to the situation. As tensions continue to escalate, it becomes increasingly important that the international community pay attention to this matter.
In the light of recent reports indicating possible escalations between India and Pakistan before the Indian elections, it is crucial to address the need for a backdoor channel to establish dialogue and find a way out of this situation.
Pakistani officials stress the importance of staying vigilant during these uncertain times. It is no secret that political leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi may strategically shift their attention towards Pakistan in an attempt to increase their chances of winning elections.
It remains to be seen if both nations can put aside their differences and come to the negotiating table. However, it is imperative to overcome political motivations and prioritize peace and stability in the region.