Since 2014, Modi’s Pakistan ‘Policy’ Only Spins in Confused Circles
Problems between two parties can be resolved in one of only three ways. The first is through negotiation between these two parties. The second is through arbitration from a third party. The third is through force: one party compels the other to do what it wants. Whether the two parties are individuals, groups, litigants, corporations or nations, these are the only three ways in which a problem can be solved.
Indian children use a fourth way, which is called “katti”. It involves pretending that the other side doesn’t exist. This does not solve the problem but it gives the child some sort of satisfaction.
On August 21, this headline appeared in our media: “No bilateral events with Pakistan but Indian cricket team free to play in Asia Cup: Sports Ministry”.
Here is a question: Which of these statements was a part of the Narendra Modi government’s official Pakistan policy?
(1) India will talk to Pakistan.
(2) India will not talk to Pakistan.
(3) India will not talk to Pakistan so long as it keeps firing across the LoC.
(4) India will talk to Pakistan only after it stops exporting terror.
(5) India will not talk to Pakistan if it talks to Kashmiris.
(6) India will talk to Pakistan but only about terrorism.
(7) India will talk to Pakistan about Kashmir.
(8) India will talk to Pakistan but only about PoK, not about Kashmir.
(9) India will talk to Pakistan but only about terror, not Kashmir.
(10) India will talk to Pakistan because it had already lectured it on terror.
(11) India will exchange sweets with Pakistan on Independence Day.
(12) India will not exchange sweets with Pakistan on Independence Day.
(13) India will exchange sweets with Pakistan on Republic Day.
(14) India will not exchange sweets with Pakistan on Republic Day.
(15) India will exchange sweets with Pakistan on Diwali.
(16) India will not exchange sweets with Pakistan on Diwali.
(17) India will exchange sweets with Pakistan on Eid.
(18) India will not exchange sweets with Pakistan on Eid.
The correct answer is, of course, that each and every one of these statements were the Modi government’s official policy. These are the news headlines that correspond to the statements above.
(1) “Narendra Modi holds impromptu talks with Nawaz Sharif in Lahore”, December 25, 2015.
(2) “No message for talks sent to Pakistan, says MEA”, October 15, 2020.
(3) “Sushma Swaraj squarely blames Pakistan for spoiling foreign secretary-level talks with India”, September 26, 2016.
(4) “India can talk to Pakistan but not to ‘Terroristan’: S. Jaishankar”, September 25, 2019.
(5) “No talks with Pakistan if it meets Hurriyat: Sushma”, August 22, 2015.
(6) “India will talk to Pakistan only on cross-border terrorism, not Kashmir”, August 18, 2016.
(7) “Ready to talk with Pakistan on J&K within bilateral framework: India”, August 28, 2014.
(8) “Any future talks with Pakistan will be on PoK, not on J&K: Rajnath Singh”, September 22, 2019.
(9) “Ready to talk on terror but not Kashmir: India to Pakistan”, August 17, 2016.
(10) “After tough talk on terror, India ready to restart talks with Pakistan”, May 28, 2014.
(11) “Independence Day: India-Pak security forces exchange sweets at border”, August 15, 2018.
(12) “73rd Independence Day: No exchange of sweets at Attari-Wagah border post”, August 15, 2019.
(13) “On Republic Day, Indian, Pakistan troops exchange sweets on LoC”, January 26, 2017.
(14) “BSF, Pak Rangers not to exchange sweets on R-Day”, January 25, 2020.
(15) “On Diwali, India, Pakistan troops exchange sweets at Wagah border”, November 7, 2018.
(16) “No exchange of sweets at Attari border this Diwali”, October 30, 2016.
(17) “Indian and Pakistani armies exchange sweets on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr”, June 5, 2019.
(18) “No exchange of sweets between BSF, Pakistan Rangers at Wagah Border on Eid”, March 25, 2020.
(19) “Modi’s cricket diplomacy: Renewing political contact with Pakistan”, February 13, 2015.
(20) “Amit Shah rules out Indo-Pak ‘bilateral’ cricket series; BJP backs him”, June 18, 2017.
(21) “Will reply to Pakistan’s bullets with bombs: Amit Shah”, March 29, 2019.
(22) “War with Pakistan not an option, India will continue talks: Swaraj”, December 16, 2015.
(23) “India can now defeat Pakistan ‘in 7-10 days’, says Narendra Modi”, January 29, 2020.
(24) “Everything will be fine soon: Narendra Modi on LoC firing”, October 9, 2014.
(25) “The surprise India-Pakistan ceasefire call and what it means, explained”, February 26, 2021.
(26) “Modi seeks full trade normalisation with Pakistan”, November 24, 2017.
(27) “India suspends cross-LoC trade with Pakistan”, April 18, 2018.
And this was all just the first few years of this government. The dictionary defines the word “policy” as “a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions”; and also as “a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body”.
One wonders how the dictionary would describe India’s Pakistan policy.
Aakar Patel is the chair of Amnesty International India. Twitter: @aakar__patel
This article went live on August twenty-sixth, two thousand twenty five, at four minutes past two in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
