By Ayushman Jamwal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government consistently faces flak from the Opposition for having an “unclear” Pakistan policy. India has repeatedly cancelled high-level talks over engagements with Jammu and Kashmir separatists, yet still sustains dialogue with the Pakistani establishment, namely the meeting of National Security Advisors in Bangkok and Prime Minister Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore in December to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.
India-Pakistan ties in the last two years have consistently shifted, sometimes boosting the hawks and sometimes the peace brigade, causing confusion over where the two sides are headed.
After months of bad blood, there is now some encouraging progress in India-Pakistan ties, signs of active reciprocation. This cooperation has emerged to combat the greatest threat facing our nations – terrorism — and maintain cooperation for our biggest passion – cricket.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Nasser Janjua alerted his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about ten Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) terrorists sneaking into India from the border near the state of Gujarat. The alert was particularly significant as Shivratri celebrations were underway with thousands of Indians thronging temples across the country. All Indian cities went on high alert, with agencies conducting nationwide sweeps and monitoring online chatter to locate the terrorists.
Intelligence sharing is a key aspect of counter-terrorism, yet India and Pakistan’s track record has been marked by inaction and distrust, with each side apparently unconcerned by acts of terror in the other. Janjua’s move is a welcome step and hopefully sets the precedent for security cooperation.
India-Pakistan tensions also affect cricket. Matches between the two nations are a global event, grabbing eyeballs, raising tensions and teasing sentiments across the world. They accentuate the rush of victory and the crush of defeat. Citizens from both sides of the border look forward to them, yet they cross their fingers hoping no untoward incident derails them.
India and Pakistan were set to face-off at Dharamsala during the T20 World Cup, but the Himachal Pradesh government (Congress) raised objections after ex-servicemen and the families of martyrs protested over the match.
The Modi government remained steadfast but welcomed a security review team from Pakistan to assess the situation. After the team raised red flags, the Modi government changed the venue to the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Fans around the world heaved a sigh of relief.
This is another big win for India and Pakistan as the political hot button of cricket was de-politicised by both sides. Even though the Opposition in India initiated a political attack against the Centre, roping in members of the armed forces to start an anti-Pakistan narrative, the Centre did not indulge it.
Unlike many times in the past, the Indian government did not beat its chest over nationalism or pride. The Modi government accepted Pakistan’s security concerns and complied to ensure the match took place as scheduled.
The Opposition’s attack was defused, bilateral ties were not damaged and Indian and Pakistani citizens could look forward to a stellar cricket match.
This level of maturity and pragmatism has been missing in India-Pakistan ties for many years. Both sides may remain divided on multiple issues, but there is a clear attempt to insulate certain areas of cooperation from politics and strategic interests. India-Pakistan friction has done nothing to defend both sides from terrorism or bolster sports ties, yet these actions work to empower the peace brigades.
These acts of good faith must push both nations to address more challenging obstacles – achieving active cooperation to convict and control known terror groups, resolving the 26/11 and Samjhauta Express cases, and removing trade barriers to boost economic cooperation. This
is achievable if both sides can focus on mutual tangible benefits beyond the political prism. India and Pakistan must maintain the momentum and stay the course.
