It is difficult to understand whether calling off Indo-Pak talks is merely a diplomatic error on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the domestic political dynamics have played any role in this decision. Analysts are of the view that the decision has been reportedly taken in view of Modi’s concern regarding his party’s prospects in the forthcoming assembly elections in four states: Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.
Had the foreign secretary-level talks not been canceled, the two countries would have earned praises from the international community for moving ahead in their quest for lasting peace.
Modi would have been hailed for taking the first step in this direction. Modi had already stunned the world by extending invitation to his Pakistani counterpart to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s positive response raised expectations of some breakthrough toward the normalization of ties between the two nuclear powers. The talks, which were scheduled to be held in Islamabad, were seen as a continuation of the Delhi meeting.
Now Modi is being accused for having backtracked on the path, he had moved on in a grand manner. During his recent visit to the Jammu and Kashmir, Modi for the first time since his inauguration as the premier, strongly criticized Pakistan’s alleged role in waging a proxy war in India.
Perhaps, Modi issued this statement out of political expediency. He wished to convey a message to all the stakeholders that India did not take a U-turn in its policy toward the lingering Kashmir issue.
Modi probably did not want his earlier “friendly” approach toward his Pakistani counterpart misguide the world on this issue. Soon after Islamabad expressed its stand against Modi’s “proxy war” comments, India retaliated by saying that terrorism is a “core concern” in its bilateral ties with Pakistan. These diplomatic hiccups did not prevent the two premiers from extending Independence Day greetings to each other.
Modi’s recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir and the apparent shift in his approach toward Pakistan may be viewed as part of his campaign for assembly elections in this state. This was his second visit to the Indian side of Kashmir since coming to power. There is nothing astonishing about Modi showing such concern for Jammu and Kashmir. He has eyes set on a major victory for his party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the forthcoming assembly polls.
Modi has played a political card by objecting against talks held in New Delhi between Pakistan ambassador and Hurriyat leaders. Modi’s approach has pushed Hurriyat leaders into the limelight. Hurriyat leaders have never directly participated in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls. They have played a greater role in calling on people to boycott the elections. Besides, Hurriyat leaders and Pakistani diplomats in India have frequently interacted with each other. They held talks even when BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee was the premier. Modi is hopeful that his decision to call off Aug. 25 talks with Pakistan may prompt Hurriyat leaders to make more noise which indirectly might help his party make gains in the polls.
—
Nilofar Suhrawardy is an Indian freelance journalist who has written extensively for national newspapers.
Email: [email protected]
