My reply below applies to a large majority of Indians, one to one they like Pakistanis as we like them, but their views of us as a collective, as Pakistanis (collective) rather than just Pakistani (individual), tend to be very different, the hatred for Pakistan as a state or a nation reaches another level altogether.
So, it is important to differentiate this triangular dichotomy in how they view us. And I believe it is by design, maybe not by individuals but the government, intellectuals, and media have reinforced this separation over the past decades into the Indian mindset. I don’t care why it is there, it is there and should be recognised as a source of hatred.
It is designed to assuage the average Pakistani to say you are ok, it’s just your society, government, army, or country that we hate. So the person at an individual level does not feel insulted. It is like saying you are ok but your mother or father is scum, and your family are a bunch of tramps.
It is such a refined attack, that we have adopted it into our mindset. The people are good but everything else is bad, but you are part of the “everything”, that collective being criticised, you are a part of that collective. You are being criticised.
I will keep everything condensed, with the expectation I am among a knowledgeable group.
- How Does an Indian mind works?
Firstly, creates a historical link into the imagined ancient past in order to justify the modern Indian states historical foundation, a Bharat Mata if you will, even though the term only came into being just 100 years prior but the imagery is that they have existed till the dawn of time as a nation(for those who are not clear, India is only as old as Pakistan).
Secondly, Like the Huns for Romans, the Russian bear for British Raj, the Red Soviets for America, the othering of Pakistan as an evil entity such as Lanka in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, a modern-day Lanka to create a sense of unity among the people, us vs. them, we are civilised they are terrorist etc etc. The modern-day Lanka without which the Indian identity would be weak. It has helped in creating a sense of indianness since its independence and still in play, that’s why Pakistan bashing gets votes at every election.
Thirdly, the dream of a great superpower the world worships, India itself is a Godly figure for the world, the imagery of that imagination. So the historical link with the ancient past, the creation (in their mindset) of Lanka (Pakistan) for the modern age, and the religious Godly superpower that is India to complete the fantasy of the Indian mind. The past, present, and the future.
- Do we fully understand Indianness?
We never have, and still don’t, but there is an increasing number of viewpoints that are coming forward that shows that an enlightened thinker is awaking among Pakistanis. But any thought, idea or conclusion is only alive as long as the masses absorb it, which takes time.
So far we have only recognised India in the same mindset in which they created for themselves (lazy intellectualism) and put three labels on India for ourselves, democracy, liberalism, and secular. No one questioned if these are indeed factual labels for India. Why are there hundreds of riots every year since independence ( doesn't happen in Pakistan), why did a secular supreme court make religious rulings, such as the one in 1994 that declared that a mosque is not an essential part of Islam (one would think it’s a joke? But it’s not), why is there such high level of criminality among Indian Politician’s, where murderers and rapists are sitting in the legislatures (accounting for 30% of membership on average), endless examples, stories, and facts, but we never questioned.
But, we have started to do so, we did not recognise them but have started to. Those doubters who were still unsure, we have to love modi; he kicked any doubt that was left out of their minds. Thank you a million times my great Modi gg, please come have some tea.
- Can we try to see things from their perspective to be able to better counter it?
When we did not attack in their war with China in 1962, that was us seeing it from their perspective (we got 1971), when we offered a no-war pact, we were seeing it from their perspective (we got Siachen), when we had proof they were conducting terrorism in Pakistan during the 1960s and 70s and didn't pay in kind, we were seeing it from their perspective (we got training for MQM, creation of Baloch groups, endless other examples), when we offered to negotiate more often than was necessary and took part in empty negotiations we were seeing it from their perspective (we got support for further terror, including TTP). We have tried.
But, for them the only Pakistan they want to see is a Pakistan on its knees, nothing else will do. Balakot is a prime, most recent example. They only understand strength. The only perspective we need to show them is to get our economy in shape, build intellectual capacity and unity, and stand tall, then they will be happy to talk with you for actual solutions. If you bend as a mark of respect, they will be unzipping the trouser. I don’t say to be disrespectful but as a recognition of the Indian mindset.
- How can we dissect this ObssessiveCompulsiveness to be SuperPower by the good Indians?
By not playing nice, by getting our house in order, by stop complaining about everything under the sun, by developing as we did before, by helping to bring peace in Afghanistan, it is more important for us than to them. I could go on but you understand my meaning.
There is nothing we need to do for them, but stand strong from our side, make the required adjustment internally so that we are able to stand strong. The following will create a strong reaction, but please forget historical corruption, make laws and let the law take its course, it is more important to make sure corruption does not happen again than to recover money and punish historical corruption, it wastes more time, more money and creates instability.
It may not sound ideal but we are living in the real world, if you want results then we need to take result-oriented actions. You go after everyone you will have no one left. Where is the unity? Where is the development?
@Baibars_1260
