Vision for peace

In an interview with an Indian journalist, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed optimism about the possibility of meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This came just ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit that is going on in Islamabad. While this call for dialogue is not new, it arrives at a time when the political landscape between the two countries is deeply fractured, particularly on the issue of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Nawaz Sharif’s remarks stand in stark contrast to the hardline stance taken by Indian leadership in recent years. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the SCO marks a rare moment of presence, but his declaration that he is attending a multilateral forum and not engaging in bilateral talks sets a clear boundary. India has made its position on Kashmir unequivocal, particularly after the revocation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. Nawaz’s optimism reflects a vision of diplomacy that seems increasingly out of reach, given the current climate. While Pakistan has always advocated for peace talks centered on key issues, including Occupied Kashmir, India’s posture under Modi is one of dominance and inflexibility. The disparity in economic power has shifted the dynamics, with India now among the top five global economies, giving it little incentive to engage with Pakistan in terms of equality. Modi’s government, with its nationalistic fervour, has consistently adopted an aggressive foreign policy not just towards Pakistan, but also towards other regional players.

There is a sense that Pakistan missed a historic opportunity for peace in the late 1990s when then-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a bus to Lahore in a symbolic gesture of goodwill. The optimism generated by that visit was quickly dashed by the Kargil conflict, which is often cited as the moment that peace efforts between the two nations were derailed. For now, the Indian side maintains that if Pakistan wishes to come to the negotiating table, it must do so on India’s terms, which means accepting the status quo on Occupied Kashmir. This is, of course, unacceptable for Pakistan, which views the issue of Kashmir not only as a matter of territorial dispute but also one of human rights and self-determination. The Modi government’s policies in Kashmir, including the lockdowns, communications blackouts, and allegations of human rights violations, have drawn widespread international criticism. Yet, India’s domestic politics, fueled by Hindu nationalism and populism, continue to push the narrative that the abrogation of Article 370 is a non-negotiable victory.

Despite these bleak realities, geography and shared history suggest that neither Pakistan nor India can afford to ignore each other indefinitely. The challenges of extremism, terrorism, climate change, and economic interdependence in South Asia make a working relationship between the two nations essential. There are many who argue that dialogue, even if difficult and contentious, is the only way forward. Pakistan, for its part, has always expressed a willingness to engage in talks, but these efforts have been met with stiff resistance from the Modi regime. Yet, time is not on India’s side either. The international community may eventually push for regional stability in South Asia. India’s internal challenges, including its strained relations with neighbouring countries, rising religious tensions, and accusations of human rights violations, could eventually force it to reconsider its hardline policies. The recent diplomatic crisis with Canada over the assassination of a Sikh leader has already tarnished India’s global image, further isolating the Modi government on the international stage. At the end of the day, neither nation can rewrite geography. Whether it is trade, security, or regional cooperation, Pakistan and India must find a way to coexist, if not as friends, then at least as pragmatic neighbours. Nawaz Sharif’s hope for a future meeting with Modi, despite the current deadlock, reflects a vision of peace that is essential for the region’s future. It remains to be seen whether Modi will rise to meet that vision or continue down the path of intransigence and confrontation.