SUMMARY of the Article “Bilateral Progress,” Dawn, October 18th, 2024

Imp Pak Vs India Ongoing Ties

The article reflects on the diplomatic interactions between Pakistan and India during Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit. Although no substantial bilateral breakthroughs were expected or achieved, the atmosphere was notably more amicable than the usual hostility that defines relations between the two nations. Minister Jaishankar reiterated India’s concerns about ‘cross-border terrorism’, a longstanding rhetorical position, yet refrained from directly naming Pakistan, showcasing a shift towards a more diplomatic tone. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the summit, despite the presence of other heads of government, was noted; however, India’s participation, even through a top diplomat, was seen as a positive step, given the strained relations. The article highlights the importance of multilateral platforms like SCO in fostering regional dialogue, which India seems more willing to engage with compared to the moribund Saarc, largely due to its reluctance to engage Pakistan through that platform. Jaishankar’s comments touched upon terrorism and separatism as impediments to improving ties, echoing India’s traditional stance. However, Pakistan’s concerns, including the Kashmir dispute, the treatment of Muslims in India, and India’s alleged support for subversive activities in Pakistan, remain key issues. The article emphasizes that sustained dialogue, free of interruptions, is essential to resolving differences and ensuring peace in South Asia. Moreover, it mentions the potential for economic benefits and regional integration if both nations pursue better relations, with improved sporting ties and diplomatic exchanges being potential first steps toward normalisation.

Easy/Short SUMMARY:

The article talks about Indian Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the SCO summit. Even though no major changes were expected in India-Pakistan relations, the atmosphere was much friendlier than usual. Jaishankar talked about terrorism but did not directly accuse Pakistan, and India still participated despite Indian Prime Minister Modi not attending. The article stresses that ongoing dialogue between India and Pakistan is necessary for peace in the region. It also highlights how improved relations can benefit both countries economically. The idea of restoring cricket ties and exchanging ambassadors could be steps towards better relations.

SOLUTIONS of The Problem:

1. Encouraging Uninterrupted Dialogue

Both Pakistan and India should engage in continuous dialogue, covering all contentious issues such as Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and minority rights in India, without interruptions from political tensions or extremist factions.

2. Strengthening Multilateral Platforms

Multilateral forums like the SCO, where both nations participate with the support of powers like China and Russia, should be leveraged to ease tensions and foster cooperation on common regional issues such as security, trade, and connectivity.

3. Rebuilding Diplomatic Channels

Reinstating high commissioners and restoring full diplomatic relations between the two countries would be a symbolic yet crucial step toward normalisation, promoting diplomatic engagements at various levels.

4. Promoting Cultural and Sporting Exchanges

Resuming cricket matches and cultural exchanges can help soften public perceptions and foster people-to-people contact, which can indirectly influence policy decisions towards peace.

5. Economic Cooperation and Trade

Both nations should focus on the potential economic benefits of improving relations. Trade agreements, joint ventures, and access to regional markets like Eurasia can incentivize better relations.

6. Tackling Hardline Elements

Both countries need to address the influence of hardliners who oppose dialogue. Public and governmental narratives should encourage peace and cooperation over confrontation.

7. Collaborative Security Efforts

Collaborating on counter-terrorism efforts to address concerns of terrorism and separatism, while ensuring that accusations from both sides are handled through proper diplomatic channels, can prevent further conflict.

8. Media Responsibility

The media in both countries should play a constructive role in reducing hostility by focusing on peace-building narratives and avoiding sensationalism that stokes nationalist sentiments.

9. Regional Integration Initiatives

Both India and Pakistan should work on regional integration projects that benefit both nations, such as infrastructure development and connectivity corridors, which can ease political tensions by highlighting shared economic interests.

10. Confidence-Building Measures

Confidence-building measures, such as military de-escalation along borders and transparent sharing of information, can prevent misunderstandings and pave the way for lasting peace.

IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the SCO summit in Islamabad, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed away.
Jaishankar mentioned “terrorism” and “separatism” as obstacles to good relations but avoided directly accusing Pakistan.
Multilateral forums like SCO seem more effective in engaging regional players compared to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), which has been stalled due to India’s reluctance to engage with Pakistan.
The joint communiqué at the summit reaffirmed the commitment to peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue.
Speculations arose regarding discussions on the resumption of cricketing ties, though India denied any such talks.

MCQs from the Article:

1. Which Indian minister attended the SCO summit in Islamabad in 2024?

A. Narendra Modi
B. S. Jaishankar
C. Amit Shah
D. Rajnath Singh

2. What was one of the key issues mentioned by Jaishankar during the summit?

A. Economic cooperation
B. Terrorism and separatism
C. Water disputes
D. Climate change

3. Which multilateral platform is highlighted as being more effective than Saarc in fostering regional dialogue?

A. SAARC
B. BRICS
C. SCO
D. ASEAN

4. Which country’s prime minister did not attend the 2024 SCO summit?

A. India
B. Pakistan
C. China
D. Russia

5. What is one suggested step toward improving Pakistan-India relations according to the article?

A. Increasing military presence
B. Reducing trade
C. Resuming cricket ties
D. Limiting diplomatic exchanges

VOCABULARY:

Bilateral (دونوں طرفہ): Involving two parties, typically countries.
Hostility (دشمنی): Unfriendly or antagonistic behavior.
Diplomatese (سفارتی زبان): The careful and formal language used in diplomacy.
Multilateralism (کثیر الجہتی): Involving multiple countries or parties.
Heft (وزن): Influence or importance.
Moribund (مردہ): In terminal decline; lacking vitality or relevance.
Separatism (علیحدگی پسندی): Advocacy for the separation of a certain group from a larger political entity.
Subversive (تخریبی): Seeking to disrupt or overthrow an established system or institution.
Communiqué (اعلامیہ): An official announcement or statement, especially to the media.
Integration (انضمام): The process of combining or unifying parts into a whole.

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dawn.com
Bilateral progress
Editorial

WHILE there was no bilateral breakthrough during Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the SCO summit — and none was expected — the most positive takeaway was that the usual hostility that has marked Pakistan-India ties over the past several years was replaced with courteous exchanges. Though Mr Jaishankar did indulge in the usual Indian rhetoric of ‘cross-border terrorism’, there was no direct reference to Pakistan, and his words were couched in diplomatese. It has not gone unnoticed that while the format required SCO heads of government to attend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed away, preferring to send his top diplomat instead. Yet considering the state of bilateral ties, India could have skipped the moot entirely. Therefore, even limited bilateral engagement, under the umbrella of multilateralism, is welcome.

Mr Jaishankar exchanged handshakes and pleasantries with the prime minister and his Pakistani counterpart, while thanking the government for its “hospitality and courtesies”. This is certainly an improvement over last year, when Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari received a highly uncordial reception at the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa. Perhaps the SCO — with the heft of China and Russia behind it — is working better as a platform for bringing together regional states than groupings such as the moribund Saarc. The reason for this is largely India’s refusal to engage with Pakistan even under the aegis of Saarc. But possibly the thinking is changing in New Delhi, while it might also be true that the Indians do not want to annoy Beijing and Moscow by appearing to sabotage the SCO.

The Indian foreign minister, in his comments in Islamabad, mentioned “terrorism” and “separatism” as obstacles standing in the way of “friendship … and good neighbourliness”. This is, of course, the standard Indian line. However, Pakistan also has legitimate concerns vis-à-vis India, which include the Kashmir question, the treatment of Muslims in India, and the activities of subversive elements on Pakistani soil with the apparent support of New Delhi. The joint communiqué issued after the SCO summit reaffirmed the participants’ “commitment to the peaceful settlement of differences … through dialogue”. This is the key to peace in the subcontinent. Dialogue should be uninterruptible and should cover all sticking points standing in the way of better ties. While India’s hawks may dismiss the need to talk to Pakistan, dreams of regional integration — especially if Delhi wants to reach Eurasian markets — will remain unfulfilled by not talking. Similarly, hardliners in Pakistan should realise that better ties with India can have economic advantages for this country. There are reports that the resumption of cricketing ties was discussed during Mr Jaishankar’s visit. While India has denied this, better sporting ties and restoration of the respective high commissioners, can be the starting point on the long road to normalisation.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2024

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