few Pakistani pilgrims have been granted visas to pay homage to Nizamuddin Aulia in Dehli, India. Meanwhile it has been suggested that India will support - or at least not oppose – Pakistan’s bid for full membership of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) bloc of emerging economies that together represent more than 40 percent of the world both in terms of area and population. Both these developments are being seen as indications of a thaw in the relationship between India and Pakistan after a visit to Islamabad by the Indian foreign minister for participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Oraganisation summit.

This comes after a long wait and a near suspension of diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Given the context, any small opening is seen as a breakthrough so that the optimists start overplaying a positive turn in the relationships. We know, however, that there are so many twists and turns on the road to normal relations that a simple solution, let alone simplistic wish fulfillment, is beyond even speculative goodwill.

Governments and the ruling cliques on both sides of the border have frequently used the relationship for political point scoring or one-up-man-ship. When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s trial was under way and a movement was building against him Gen Zia-ul Haq allowed the first visit by an Indian cricket team to Pakistan in nearly seventeen years. The contest provided some riveting cricket and created memories to treasure. Later, when the relations were tense in the 1980s Pakistani cricketers were allowed to visit India. The phenomenon soon came to be described as cricket diplomacy and was praised the world over for its success in easing regional tensions.

There is talk again of the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister and head of Pakistan Muslim League, never tires of advocating a better relationship with India. However, the obstacles and impediments to good-neighbourly relations remain and some of those are quite formidable. There has been no indication recently that governments on both sides are doing anything substantial to make the challenge imminently surmountable.

There have been times in the past of considerable cultural activities between the two countries but these have always been stopped, sometimes quite abruptly. For now, a resumption of regular cultural exchanges appears to be truly uphill. There have been occasions in the past when the surge was so strong that it appeared that stopping it would be impossible. However, the momentum could not be sustained.

Is it possible for countries to have relationships with a semblance of normalcy while unresolved disputes persist and threaten to boil over without much warning? It is better probably to have relations that open up possibilities for peace and resolution of disputes than remaining locked in hostile postures

After the Kargil episode the relationship was one of utmost hostility. However, after the Agra summit there was an easing of the tensions and things seemed to be settling down. However, even that phase passed and the tension returned. Nawaz Sharif’s willingness to resume a peace and normalisation dialogue with India was opposed and criticised by some groups and opposition parties. The Modi government’s attempt to solve the Kashmir issue by imposing a unilateral decision did not help the situation; nor did reports of oppression and increasing discrimination against Muslims in India under the governments led by his BJP and its allies.

This seesaw in the relationship, it appears, will continue. An easing is desirable for both sides. Many Pakistani artistes have made a mark in India. Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are admired and remembered because of their sheer talent.

Younger practitioners with a Punjabi base in music have also been making their mark in India and through that all over the world.

A gradual opening of travel, trade and tourism as well as cultural activity should be facilitated. It is about time the governments moved in this direction. Those who oppose a policy shift in this direction and hold to an either/ or narrative may have the satisfaction of the self-righteous but such choices will take Pakistan, already in a dire economic position, deeper into a bunker.

Some of the holiest shrines for South Asia’s Hindu people are in Pakistan. The Kartarpur model of visa-free religious tourism has significant potential and hold be explored for other pilgrimage sites. If Pakistan continues to come up with similar goodwill gestures, these will eventually be appreciated globally and there will be demand for India to follow suit.

The writer is an art critic based in Lahore