THE suspense factor in India and Pakistan diplomatic ties sometimes reaches to such high levels that it even beats movies and dramas. Till the last minute, “tension” prevailed in the subcontinent over the then probable meeting of the two prime ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

Will they shake hands, smile at each other or will just ignore each other? Speculations were raised on whether the meeting would be held or not following reports of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having blamed Pakistan for terrorism.

Then in India another debate was sparked by the alleged remarks by Nawaz Sharif referring to Singh as a “village woman” (dehati aurat).

Ironically, nobody bothered to check the veracity of the report concerning those remarks. It was later reported that somebody else had quoted Sharif as making such remarks about the Indian premier. Though clarifications were issued that such a comment was not made, Indian political scenario remained dominated by extensive criticism of the “comment.” It provided several Indian politicians and media persons, ample reason to stress on the need for calling off talks in New York between the two premiers.

Well, defying all speculations, the premiers’ meeting lasted for around an hour. And this led to another debate. Some analysts appreciated the fact that the meeting was not called off and was not confined to just a few minutes. Some countered those analysts by saying the meeting lasted “just” an hour. Some experts termed the meeting a futile effort, while some tried to prove it a breakthrough in India, Pakistan relations.

Seriously speaking, contradictory views voiced over India,Pakistan relations have only added to a veneer of suspense over their diplomatic ties. One is prompted to deliberate on why isn’t so much melodramatic suspense linked with diplomatic ties of India with other countries? Despite their being geographically close, to this date, India and Pakistan have only been referred to as enemies or rivals but never as friends.

There were times when it seemed that the two countries were moving toward improvement in their relations. The next minute such an atmosphere was created that gave an impression the ties between the two nuclear powers could never improve.

The day the two leaders were supposed to meet began with the usual uncertainty, which is part and parcel of such India, Pakistan encounters. The Indian media and several politicians focused on its credibility and would it be called off or not till the two premiers actually shook hands, posed for the camera and began their meeting. This naturally raises the question as to whether India and Pakistan ties are actually as disturbed and tensed as is the impression created about them.

Undeniably, India and Pakistan are least likely to agree soon on resolving some disputes. The same can be said about certain differences between India and China. Those differences have not, however, prevented India and China from increasing economic cooperation and strengthening their bilateral ties. There have been times when slogans such as “Hindi-Cheeni Bhai, Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers) were raised.

Prospects of similar slogans symbolizing Indo-Pak relations may be dismissed as non-existent, practically dead. Even though, unofficially and informally, close ties entertained between Indians and Pakistanis is hardly witnessed between citizens of other neighboring countries.

The popularity of Bollywood movies and actors in Pakistan and of Pakistanis plays, poets and singers is no secret. Beyond any shadow of doubt, the cultural affinity between the people of these two countries is unmatched.

Yet, the manner in which political suspense was build over the two premiers’ New York meeting till almost the last minute, it even seemed as if the two were finding an escape route to avoid the meeting, but could not. Now, there is a difference between the impression created and the diplomatic reality. Though they did not make any official announcements, it was clear that the Singh-Sharif meeting would be held. During the meeting, the two premiers invited each other to visit their countries. Both accepted the invitations, however, suspense still hangs on when will the visits really take place.

Undeniably, suspense over India-Pakistan ties would have mellowed down a little, if politicians and media did not play their part in adding to the same. Media actually serves as a stage for heightening the suspense, helping both countries blame each other as and when needed and also provides pointers for improving their ties.

Singh-Sharif meeting indicates that no matter how tense India-Pakistan relations are, both the countries are keen on resolving their differences. It would be erroneous to view their ties as being near-war or in a war-like stage. Communication diplomacy must be credited for having brought India, Pakistan relations to this stage. The ease with which Pakistani critics’ comments are taken on the Indian small screen and those of Indians for Pakistani radio and other media services was not even thought of as possible a few decades ago. Through television, Internet and other means of communication, both the countries are giving greater importance than before to exchanging views with each other on mutual relations.

Officially, the two governments may maintain silence on this aspect but it cannot be ignored that over the years, there has been an increase in exchange of visits between both countries. If citizens of either or both countries were more concerned about hurling charges at each other, this may not have been possible. That this stage has been reached and Singh-Sharif talks were held, credit must be given to new importance assumed by communication and diplomacy in India, Pakistan relations. Communication adds to suspense and diplomacy emerges as the winner!

• Nilofar Suhrawardy is an Indian freelance journalist who has written extensively for national newspapers.

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