Time to Fetter Hindu Hypocrisy

Sarah Khan

Since Modi’s sworn as Prime Minister of India, hindu hypocrisy is at peak as his

foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives have taken dramatic strides in order

to strengthen relations with emerging states in the world. Though he is failing

bitterly at internal front due to rising communal riots and hindu extremism.

but sought close economic, military and technological cooperation with various

But on the external front, he has not only focused upon immediate neighbours

relevance. In few years, India’s political clout at regional and international

regional and extra regional states with special focus on limiting Pakistan’s regional

Indian relations have improved and Pakistan’s ties with these two important

level has improved tremendously thus marring Pakistan’s political standing on various regional issues. Especially with respect to Iran and Afghanistan,

immediate neighbours are following a downward trajectory.

After Iran-US nuclear deal and lifting of US imposed

sanctions on Iran, Indian PM rushed to seize the opportunity by signing

Chabahar port pact with Iran.  In May 2016, India pledged billions to develop Iran’s southeastern Chabahar port and help establish a free trade zone stretching toward

the Iran-Afghan border during the coming years. India plans to lease two docks at Chabahar for

a decade that would give it access to Afghanistan and Central Asian energy

markets – bypassing Pakistan. Moreover, in collaboration with Tehran and

Moscow, India is looking to create a vast network of enhanced connectivity with

the land-locked Central Asia and eventually Europe, through the International

North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). By developing Chabahar, India intends to counter deep sea port

Gawadar giving shortest possible sea-route to generate extra-regional economic

activity. Instead of betting on US backed India, Iran needs to enhance

Iran-Pakistan gas.

cooperation with immediate neighbour Pakistan by building the long awaited

Similarly,

shrewd Indian government is investing heavily in successive Afghan government

to undermine Pakistan’s influence in the country. It is providing arms and

between various warlords within Afghanistan. US is also granting front role to India

financial assistance to Northern Alliance resulting in more internal tensions

collaboration with NDS are carrying out terrorist activities inside Pakistan

by replacing Pakistan in Afghanistan. India and its intelligence agencies in using Afghan soil. Same is being done from Iranian territory. Arrest of

Kulbushan Yadev is a case in point.

Due to

hostile Indian propaganda against Pakistan, relations have also seen all time

low in the recent past with few states of South Asia as well. In last SAARC

Ministers’ of Nepal and Bangladesh also boycotted the conference alongwith

Finance Ministers’ conference held in Islamabad on 25 August 2016, Finance

they are under strong influence of Indian policies in the region.

India. Their absence from SARRC conference being held in Pakistan suggests that

At

international level, Pakistan – US relations are again on downward trajectory

due to Indo-US defense cooperation and negation of defense cooperation and

infact backward in terms of its foreign relations. One major factor for this

limitation of counter terror cooperation. Thus, Pakistan is going slow or

relations with regional and international states. Another important aspect is

degradation is absence of full time foreign minister to look after Pakistan’s lack of a coherent foreign policy. At present, Pakistan is entangled at

simply following the trends set by regional and international players.

internal front due RAW’s nefarious support to Baloch and TTP militants. It is

A famous

saying by Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu goes like “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to

victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Pakistan’s tactics in the realm of foreign

affairs are without any strategy. In order to keep its regional relevance,

Pakistan needs to take following important steps. First,

improving ties with Iran and Afghanistan is the need of the hour. Growing

Indian influence will not limit Pakistan’s relevance but it will result in

various security related issues thus threatening the national security. There

have been several cases in the past where Indian RAW has used Iranian and

double edged benefit: spoiling bilateral ties of Pakistan with Iran and

Afghan soil to create unrest inside Pakistan. By doing so, India is getting Afghanistan and creating desired unrest inside Pakistan by supporting

militants, terrorists and separatists. Second, improving ties and enhancing cooperation in

realms of economy and trade with South Asian states especially Nepal,

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will help Pakistan improve regional connections and

keep its relevance. Third, for Bangladesh there is a need to launch active

diplomatic efforts to undo the propaganda launched by India. Pakistan and

Bangladesh have so many commons including religion, culture and history to

build a strong bilateral relationship. Misperceptions created by Indian

people to people contact. Fourth, Pakistan’s relations with US has always followed

propaganda can easily be wiped out through active diplomacy and enhancing

up-down trajectory. Again in US, Indian lobby is strong enough to disseminate

for decades, there is a need to widen convergences and bridge the divergences

anti-Pakistan perceptions. Having a relationship based on mutual cooperation

in bilateral relations.

Above

all, in order to counter shrewd moves by Indian hypocrite lobby, Pakistan needs

to formulate a comprehensive foreign policy and appoint a visionary career

keep regional relevance Pakistan needs to bring swift changes in diplomatic

diplomat as foreign minister to put the foreign relation in order. In order to

sphere.

The

writer can be reached at ardent.jingo@gmail.com