SUMMARY of the “External challenges,” Editorial, January 20th, 2024*
The editorial highlights the external challenges facing Pakistan and emphasizes the need for the new administration, post-February elections, to address strained relations with neighboring countries. The complexity of ties with India, in deep freeze since August 2019, presents a significant diplomatic challenge, especially with the upcoming elections in India. While relations with Afghanistan and Iran are lukewarm, recent positive signals, including the National Security Committee meeting and diplomatic engagements, suggest a potential for improvement. The editorial underscores the importance of extending a hand of friendship to India while maintaining Pakistan’s key concerns. Engaging with the Afghan Taliban, addressing administrative disputes with Kabul, and improving trade relations are recommended. Despite recent tensions with Iran, the need for cordial relations is stressed, with a caution against any further infringement of Pakistan’s sovereignty. The editorial concludes by highlighting the critical role of professional diplomats in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
The editorial discusses the external challenges faced by Pakistan, particularly strained relations with India, Afghanistan, and Iran. It emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts by the new administration to mend ties, extend a hand of friendship to India, engage with the Afghan Taliban, address disputes with Kabul, and maintain cordial relations with Iran. The role of professional diplomats is crucial for navigating international relations effectively.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
Engage in Diplomacy with India
Initiate diplomatic efforts to improve relations with India, extending a hand of friendship while safeguarding Pakistan’s key concerns.
Address Disputes with Afghanistan
Work towards resolving administrative disputes with Afghanistan, engage with the Afghan Taliban constructively, and emphasize the need to rein in terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
Enhance Trade Relations with Kabul
Promote economic cooperation and improve trade relations with Afghanistan, contributing to mutual benefit and stability in the region.
Maintain Cordial Relations with Iran
Continue diplomatic engagements with Iran, ensuring that recent tensions do not escalate and emphasizing respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Professional Diplomacy
Ensure Pakistan’s foreign policy is crafted and led by professional diplomats well-versed in international relations, allowing nuanced approaches to external challenges.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article:
- Relations with three out of four neighbors (India, Afghanistan, and Iran) are strained.
- Ties with India have been in a deep freeze since August 2019.
- The upcoming elections in India pose uncertainty regarding potential changes in the bilateral relationship.
- Recent positive signals from the National Security Committee meeting and diplomatic engagements indicate a potential improvement in relations.
- The editorial emphasizes the importance of professional diplomats in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy.
MCQs from the Article:
1. Since when have relations with India been in a deep freeze according to the article?
A. August 2020
B. August 2019
C. August 2018
D. August 2017
2. What does the editorial suggest regarding ties with Afghanistan?
A. Maintain the status quo
B. Work to mend ties and improve trade relations
C. Sever diplomatic relations
D. Ignore administrative disputes
3. What recent event is mentioned in the article as a positive signal for improved relations?
A. India’s election results
B. Afghan Taliban’s statement
C. National Security Committee meeting
D. Border closure at Torkham
4. What is the editorial’s recommendation regarding relations with India?
A. Sever all ties
B. Extend a hand of friendship while safeguarding key concerns
C. Ignore the situation
D. Wait for India to make the first move
5. What is emphasized as crucial for shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy in the article?
A. Political alliances
B. Public opinion
C. Professional diplomats
D. Military strength
VOCABULARY:
- Deft (adjective) (چالبازی): Skillful and quick in one’s movements or actions.
- Lukewarm (adjective) (نیم گرم): Not enthusiastic or passionate; indifferent.
- Reciprocal (adjective) (متقابل): Given, felt, or done in return; mutual.
- Mend (verb) (مرمت کرنا): Repair or restore to a good condition.
- Toxicity (noun) (زہریلا پانی): The degree to which a substance can damage or harm.
- Cordial (adjective) (مخلص): Warm and friendly.
- Infringement (noun) (تجاوز): The action of breaking the terms of a law, agreement, etc.
- Constructively (adverb) (تعمیمی): In a way that contributes to building or improving.
- Nuances (noun) (رقیق فرق): Subtle differences or distinctions in expression, meaning, or response.
- Bilateral (adjective) (دو طرفہ): Involving two parties, especially countries.
- Cordially (adverb) (دل سے): In a warm and friendly manner.
- Sovereignty (noun) (خود مختاری): Supreme power or authority.
- Strained (adjective) (تنازعہ): Difficult or demanding excessive effort; stressed.
- Diplomatic (adjective) (دوسرے ملکوں کے ساتھ سفارتی): Relating to the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations.
- Crisis (noun) (عظیمہ): A time of intense difficulty or danger.
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External challenges
Editorial
ALONG with fixing the economy and addressing the political polarisation, the new administration that takes charge after February’s elections will also have to put Pakistan’s external relations on track. The unfortunate truth is that ties with three out of our four neighbours are strained, and it will take deft diplomacy to improve matters. Relations with India are the most complicated, and fixing these will be a time-consuming process. Bilateral ties with Afghanistan and Iran are also lukewarm and, in the case of the latter, have witnessed severe turbulence over the past few days. However, relations with both Kabul and Tehran can be mended relatively easily if we play our cards right, and if there is a reciprocal response from the other side. The positive signals emanating from Friday’s National Security Committee meeting, the prime minister’s comments, and the phone conversation between the Pakistani and Iranian foreign ministers indicate that ties are on the mend.
The relationship with India has been in deep freeze since August 2019. Elections are due in India in the next few months, and at this point, it appears that a BJP government will again run New Delhi. It remains to be seen whether the new Indian set-up will be willing to turn the page with Pakistan, or if toxicity will continue. The new administration in Islamabad should, however, extend a hand of friendship to New Delhi, without compromising on Pakistan’s key concerns. As for Kabul, the Afghan Taliban are difficult customers; yet Pakistan has no option but to engage with them. The recent border closure at Torkham has shown that even administrative disputes can quickly spiral into bigger spats. The incoming administration should work to mend ties with Kabul and improve trade relations, while reiterating Pakistan’s demand that terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil be reined in. With regard to Iran, before Tehran’s provocative strikes in Panjgur, ties were cordial, though there was room for improvement. Luckily, sense has prevailed after the Iranian strike and Pakistan’s retaliation, and matters are returning to normal. However, there can be no further infringement of this country’s sovereignty. The incoming set-up cannot achieve internal stability and economic progress if there is tension on three frontiers. Furthermore, it is essential that Pakistan’s foreign policy is fashioned and led by professional diplomats, who are well-versed in the nuances of international relations.
Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024
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