ISLAMABAD: Speakers at roundtable discussion have recommended strategic patience on Pakistan-India ties underlining Pakistan should pursue good-neighbourly policy on the basis of mutual respect.
The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), organised a roundtable titled “Modi 3.0 – What to Expect Regarding Pakistan-India Relations?”
According to the ISSI press release the speakers analyzed the possible future policy approach of India under the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior diplomats, academics, heads of think-tanks, journalists and area specialists attended the roundtable.
The panelists were of the view that at the moment especially in post-election India and the dynamics of BJP-led government, no major breakthrough was expected as far as ties between India and Pakistan were concerned.
They said that the BJP leadership’s anti-Pakistan rhetoric during the Lok Sabha election campaign, relentless smear against Pakistan by Indian Ministers globally, and continuation of the same security and foreign policy team, indicated that there was no possibility of a change in New Delhi’s policy towards Pakistan.
The speakers stated that statements from Pakistan showing its willingness to talk to India on all matters were at times misinterpreted by New Delhi was as a sign of weakness. They stressed that while Pakistan should remain open to the possibility of positive engagement, the onus remained on India to create an amicable environment for result-oriented dialogue.
They recommended ‘strategic patience’ while discussing policy options for Pakistan adding that Pakistan should pursue good-neighbourly ties on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The speakers underscored the importance of upholding Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. The panelists added that the BJP Ministers’ statements about Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan should not be taken lightly; nor the possibilities of a false flag operation orchestrated by the Indian side be ruled out.
The panelists further recommended that, as part of the efforts to advance its overall national goals, Pakistan must continue to work for a peaceful external environment, find a sustainable solution to the challenges in Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, optimise the potential of Pakistan-Iran relations, and deepen its partnership with Central Asian nations.
The speakers said that Pakistan should further strengthen its ties with major powers – including deepening of understanding and mutually beneficial relationship with the U.S.; pursuing closer cooperation with Russia on energy as well as regional security and connectivity; and fortifying all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China.
They stressed that Pakistan should also cultivate productive partnerships with Middle Eastern countries, ASEAN, EU, and Africa.
