Strange Neighbours

[BJP*]

Strange neighbours​

Pakistan and India are strange neighbours. Their relationship is deeply grounded in mistrust. On the onset of a typical crisis, the bilateral mechanism to manage such events collapses almost instantly. Anticipating the entanglement, regional and extra regional well wishers start flockingin to keep the two antagonists apart. Thanks to these good offices, the war has been averted a number of times. The recent private-public visit by Pakistani President was an interesting event.

The composition of the delegation indicated that it had an official dimension too. To keep the expectations manageable, a two-facade mix and match was worked out.

The visit of this level was the first in the last seven years. It commenced on the heels of a human tragedy caused by a massive avalanche that had hit a Pakistani military camp in Siachen, which left 124 army personnel and 11 civilians buried alive. An announcement of a pull out of respective militaries from the glacier could have a befitting gift to the two nations. However, Pak-India relations are too complex to be swayed it seems, even by a human tragedy of this magnitude. The two leaders settled by exchanging one frail prisoner each.

Both the countries have gotten used to an interesting pattern and profile package in the context of their bilateral interactions. They work meticulously for years to build rapprochement framework, or at least an aura of it; then something happens and things are back to square one - generally, a near war situation.

The cycle then reengineers itself under the pressure of compulsions to stay engaged. Under the fear of domestic backlash, leaders from both sides restart through somewhat shying encounters on the periphery of international diplomatic venues, then graduate to meet under the cover of sports, cultural or religious events. Political oppositions of both the countries remain too eager to blame respective governments for a ‘sell out’ without really specifying the commodity.

Major setback to bilateral relations came as a result of militarization of Siachen in 1984, a glacier that had been respected as a “no man’s land” since independence. Siachen was invaded to pressurize Pakistan amidst the most dense and intense phase of the Afghan war of independence against the erstwhile Soviets. Soon after, it was followed by massive military deployments, all along India-Pakistan border, under the garb of military exercise “Brass-tacks”.

Unprovoked Indian invasion of Siachen resulted in the activation of highest battle ground of the world. Until the ceasefire in 2003, Siachen remained one of the world’s most tnse battle zones, where the Indian and Pakistani armies confronted each other over the disputed territory for over two decades. Siachen is 20,000 feet above sea level. The Indian and Pakistani troops have fought there in temperatures of around minus 60 degrees Celsius. Ever since Siachen’s occupation by India, both counties have exposed their troops to environmental hardships; more have died or have been maimed because of inhospitable climatic conditions than due to direct military combat. India has incurred higher human and economic cost of maintaining a garrison at Siachen.

The president’s current visit, although it was not explicitly stated, was about consolidating the recently refreshed confidence building measures (CBM), which have been cautiously embarked upon by the government and non-government entities from both sides. Despite no Indian concessions on non-tariff barriers, Pakistan has ceded a major concession to India by according it the status of Most Favoured Nations (MFN). The business communities of both states had been inching towards a viable framework during the last one year or so. If even playing field is provided by removing the NTBs by India, both India and Pakistan, could benefit mutually from enhanced trade; both have much to sell to one another.

The challenge is to strive towards reducing tensions and resolving as well as managing the conflicts, while understanding clearly that complexities involved in Pakistan-India relations cannot be simply wished away

Strange neighbours: Voice of Russia
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For other countries India Pakistan have strange relations, It seems difficult for them to understand that how can the head of govt can visit to enemy country just to see a cricket match and how can the head of the state can be invited on lunch by enemy nation head of govt while he was on "private" visit, given the fact that hosting the lunch/dinner is considered a matter of extreme respect especially in western world.

They think India Pakistan are such a nation which can not live with each other and also can not live without each other.

 

[Sugarcane]

IF India & Pakistan can resolve their disputes than they can do wonders together BUT the IF looks impossible.

 

[Subramanian]

we need Hafeez Syed,Hamid Gul & Zaid Hamid slaughtered in front of India gate,until then nothing.

 

[Android]

we need Hafeez Syed,Hamid Gul & Zaid Hamid slaughtered in front of India gate,until then nothing.

why zaid hamid that poor guy is suffering from mental illness
bahotse pakistanio ki tarah jo yaha achcha ilaj karane aate hain use bhi apne brain ka ilaj karane yahan aana chahiye case thoda complicated hain but hamare most skilled doctors use aasani se thik kar sakte hain

 

[Sugarcane]

we need Hafeez Syed,Hamid Gul & Zaid Hamid slaughtered in front of India gate,until then nothing.

first two names are debatable but What Zaid Hamid has done

PS: This was first article, which was posted by Indian and it was about India & Pakistan and was here for more than 2 hours and there were no cheap shots from any side. You broke the silence.

 

[H.A.W.K]

we need Hafeez Syed,Hamid Gul & Zaid Hamid slaughtered in front of India gate,until then nothing.

Lol hamid gul. keep dreming...if you want them come and get it.