The relationship between Pakistan and India has taken a positive turn. Both the countries seem to be working towards a friendly and peaceful relationship. However, there are many conflicts which are yet to be resolved, the biggest one of them being the Kashmir dispute. With the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi sending a letter
The relationship between Pakistan and India has taken a positive turn. Both the countries seem to be working towards a friendly and peaceful relationship. However, there are many conflicts which are yet to be resolved, the biggest one of them being the Kashmir dispute. With the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi sending a letter to commemorate Pakistan Resolution Day to Prime Minister Imran Khan, is this a serious effort by India? What role does the United States play in this peace effort? Can foreign pressure and backdoor diplomacy solve the Kashmir issue?
Lt. General (R) Naeem Lodhi in conversation with the Executive Director of Centre for Law and National Security, Rehman Azhar stated that he believes any learned man would never talk against these efforts and would never oppose peace. Lt. Gen. Lodhi reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement that there is no chance of dialogue between India and Pakistan if India fails to restore Article 370 of the Constitution of India. General Qamar Javeed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff also highlighted that since the bilateral relations with India is to be seen with its background and relations, Pakistan should remove the bitterness and strive to end the stand-off with India. However, according to Lt. Gen. Lodhi, Gen. Bajwa should have spoken with more clarity when he said to bury the past and move ahead, which is why there is little clarity about what can be done now.
There are three things that requires Pakistan’s attention. First is the attitude of India towards Muslims, in general, and towards Kashmir, in particular. It is unlikely that Pakistan can see a change in that respect. The second factor is America. It is clear that the reason why both India and Pakistan are seeking to improve their relation which can be attributed to America’s support. It is obvious the matter may be related to Track Two. America is a strategic friend of India. Whereas, its relationship with Pakistan is quite opportunistic and temporary. The US supports Pakistan whenever it needs Pakistan’s assistance. This is evidenced by the support US is currently showing Pakistan with respect to the Afghan Peace Process. If Pakistan arbitrates on the matter, or plays into US hands, the result would be Pakistan falling into such a state that would be remembered for times to come. Lastly, while talking about history, India talks to Pakistan only when it is in trouble. This is evidenced by the struggles of Kashmiris in 1947, 1948 the war of 1965 or even the recent stand-off. And never has Pakistan been able to solve its problems together. It is imperative to that in this situation if there is any ceasefire or talks on peace between the two countries, it is definitely going to favor India instead of Pakistan.
Lt. General (R) Lodhi further discussed the matters distressing India. He stated that India has been beaten-up by China and Pakistan, the human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the farmer’s protest, EU disinformation lab has shown India’s true colors to the international community. Every country is criticizing India over its blatant disregard for international law.
According to Lt. General (R) Lodhi, a very elaborate backdoor diplomacy has taken place, talks on Track Two have taken place, and a roadmap would have been made there for sure. The chances are very minute. It seems as if something has happened. Pakistan’s minimum demand, which can be before Article 370 is that India must immediately end the torture and violence in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to create an environment for dialogue. This is essential because Pakistan needs to also negotiate for the reinstatement of Article 370.
Pakistan is doing all this under compliance to protect its economy for otherwise IMF and World Bank and other organisations and countries may not have come here for our help. The US President, Joe Biden invited leaders from all over the world for the issue of environment including India, Bangladesh and even Bhutan. However, Pakistan is excluded from this list of countries. America has seen that because it is the master of perception management, that if one keeps Pakistani leadership under pressure, they tend to perform better.
Concluding the conversation, Lt. Gen. Lodhi remarked that although Imran Khan’s personality is not such that it shall come under pressure and so is the case with the Army Chief, but such matters are not secretive. The sensitive matters such as that of Kashmir should be discussed in the Parliament, for otherwise it may backfire. If the countries leadership take an action that fails to satisfy the Kashmiris, the majority of Pakistan is likely to be not satisfied either. Thus, that action is going to backfire upon the state itself.
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An interview with Lt Gen Naeem Khalid Lodhi on India Pakistan Relationship
The relationship between Pakistan and India has taken a positive turn. Both the countries seem to be working towards a friendly and peaceful relationship. However, there are many conflicts which are yet to be resolved, the biggest one of them being the Kashmir dispute. With the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi sending a letter
The relationship between Pakistan and India has taken a positive turn. Both the countries seem to be working towards a friendly and peaceful relationship. However, there are many conflicts which are yet to be resolved, the biggest one of them being the Kashmir dispute. With the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi sending a letter to commemorate Pakistan Resolution Day to Prime Minister Imran Khan, is this a serious effort by India? What role does the United States play in this peace effort? Can foreign pressure and backdoor diplomacy solve the Kashmir issue?
Lt. General (R) Naeem Lodhi in conversation with the Executive Director of Centre for Law and National Security, Rehman Azhar stated that he believes any learned man would never talk against these efforts and would never oppose peace. Lt. Gen. Lodhi reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement that there is no chance of dialogue between India and Pakistan if India fails to restore Article 370 of the Constitution of India. General Qamar Javeed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff also highlighted that since the bilateral relations with India is to be seen with its background and relations, Pakistan should remove the bitterness and strive to end the stand-off with India. However, according to Lt. Gen. Lodhi, Gen. Bajwa should have spoken with more clarity when he said to bury the past and move ahead, which is why there is little clarity about what can be done now.
There are three things that requires Pakistan’s attention. First is the attitude of India towards Muslims, in general, and towards Kashmir, in particular. It is unlikely that Pakistan can see a change in that respect. The second factor is America. It is clear that the reason why both India and Pakistan are seeking to improve their relation which can be attributed to America’s support. It is obvious the matter may be related to Track Two. America is a strategic friend of India. Whereas, its relationship with Pakistan is quite opportunistic and temporary. The US supports Pakistan whenever it needs Pakistan’s assistance. This is evidenced by the support US is currently showing Pakistan with respect to the Afghan Peace Process. If Pakistan arbitrates on the matter, or plays into US hands, the result would be Pakistan falling into such a state that would be remembered for times to come. Lastly, while talking about history, India talks to Pakistan only when it is in trouble. This is evidenced by the struggles of Kashmiris in 1947, 1948 the war of 1965 or even the recent stand-off. And never has Pakistan been able to solve its problems together. It is imperative to that in this situation if there is any ceasefire or talks on peace between the two countries, it is definitely going to favor India instead of Pakistan.
Lt. General (R) Lodhi further discussed the matters distressing India. He stated that India has been beaten-up by China and Pakistan, the human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the farmer’s protest, EU disinformation lab has shown India’s true colors to the international community. Every country is criticizing India over its blatant disregard for international law.
According to Lt. General (R) Lodhi, a very elaborate backdoor diplomacy has taken place, talks on Track Two have taken place, and a roadmap would have been made there for sure. The chances are very minute. It seems as if something has happened. Pakistan’s minimum demand, which can be before Article 370 is that India must immediately end the torture and violence in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to create an environment for dialogue. This is essential because Pakistan needs to also negotiate for the reinstatement of Article 370.
Pakistan is doing all this under compliance to protect its economy for otherwise IMF and World Bank and other organisations and countries may not have come here for our help. The US President, Joe Biden invited leaders from all over the world for the issue of environment including India, Bangladesh and even Bhutan. However, Pakistan is excluded from this list of countries. America has seen that because it is the master of perception management, that if one keeps Pakistani leadership under pressure, they tend to perform better.
Concluding the conversation, Lt. Gen. Lodhi remarked that although Imran Khan’s personality is not such that it shall come under pressure and so is the case with the Army Chief, but such matters are not secretive. The sensitive matters such as that of Kashmir should be discussed in the Parliament, for otherwise it may backfire. If the countries leadership take an action that fails to satisfy the Kashmiris, the majority of Pakistan is likely to be not satisfied either. Thus, that action is going to backfire upon the state itself.
Mahnoor Islam
ADMINISTRATOR
PROFILE