Overhaul India’s foreign policy

In the wake of retaliatory measures against terrorist hide-outs in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan mainland by the armed forces of India amid the backdrop of the terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Kashmir last month in which more than two dozen tourists lost their lives, it is in the interest of both sides not to escalate the tense situation and strain the relations further. Though tit for tat measures may appear desirable in the short run considering the intensity of emotions on the both sides, it is important not to aggravate and worsen the already deteriorated ties and go for full-scale combat. It is also in the best interest of both sides to restrict the battlefield to the border areas rather than penetrating deeper and deeper into each other's entities to avoid civilian casualties.

Going by the scale of sophisticated munitions that both sides possess, it appears that both sides would not to an extent of all-out or protracted battle on different fronts at least in the interest of both nations, yet, the ongoing turmoil gives the belligerents involved a golden opportunity to come to the board to settle not just about the contested geographies but also regarding other parallels like natural resources, economy, trade and so forth. Since the parties involved, India and Pakistan, are the most important players and whose role is vital for the success of any forum that aims to ensure peace and growth in South Asia, any escalation or provocative measures would result in spill-over effects and prove detrimental to the region as a whole.

While it is a normal tendency on the part of modern-day nations especially in the age of hyper-realism complemented by conservative politics at the global level to fuel the patriotic spirit at the times of ding-dongs with neighbours or others to mobilize the support domestic support and make the citizens run or rally behind the then ruling dispensations, it is wise to remember that there are certain limitations on the amount of patriotic charge that a regime can channelise to further its domestic political goals. To say, the usage of foreign policy and patriotism as political instruments has their own set of limitations especially in democratic nations. Especially in a region like South Asia that is marked by volatile geo-politics, terrorism and religious diversity, any drastic move by any of these South Asian nations would paralyze the region's stability, thereby hindering the progress.

The narrative that war brings a solution is not only preposterous but also reflects one’s ignorance. It is this discourse that the solution to a geo-political complexity that is also encompassing the geographical dispute is only war is breeding mistrust and miscommunication. Much to democratic lovers’ chagrin, What started as a geographical dispute between the contesting nations has become a contestation under the token of religion and jingoism.

While there should be no room for complacency in countering and exterminating terrorism from the region, it is vital to keep the ingrowing religious tapestry on both sides in check in order to paint a colourful picture of the future.

An unwarranted use of the religion as a trump card in foreign policy may deliver good results in elections but makes India an isolated player in the longer run going by the support it has received post-Pahalgam incident and subsequent retaliatory move by the Indian armed forces.

In the domain of foreign affairs, the success of a diplomatic policy is measured by the net gains a nation registers after making concessions. Above all, mutual trust is what decides the course of ties between any two nations and forms the bedrock of bilateral ties. As a matter of fact, trust factor forms the heart and soul of any bilateral pact.

The diplomatic successes of India when it comes to bilateral ties with neighbouring countries are meagre, if not, abysmal in the last decade. In addition to political instability in nations like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and others, of course in its arch-rival, Pakistan, the strategic miscalculations took a toll on India’s health on the diplomatic front. Though the economic relations with Afghanistan have improved significantly, the sustainability of ties remains elusive given the factionism in the Taliban regime.

Mistrust on India stemmed right from its position against the development initiatives of China in various South Asia nations under its flagship economic initiative BRI(Belt and Road Initiative) which is perceived by many nations that India, a pivot in South Asia, is hindering their economic growth and development. Though it has its own national interests to oppose the grandiose scheme of Beijing, India has failed to provide a suitable or at least an appealing alternative to BRI for the South Asian players. Lack of univocal support from the neighbouring nations in the region and their neutral stance amid the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions reflect the reality and the crude dynamics in South Asia.

It also seems ironical, farcical and absurd on the part of Pakistan ruling elites to harbour terrorists on its east front and fighting against the same along the Durand Line. It has become the order of the day between the splinter factions of Taliban and Pakistan military to engage in daily skirmishes and squabbles thereby resulting in refugee crisis. It is important for Islamabad to realise the fact that China, a key player in the multi-polar world, would not advance its economic programmes in Pakistan if terrorism and security concerns overshadow the projects that are currently in the pipeline. It is not unknown to the Pakistan rulers that terrorism and growth do not co-exist.

In a multipolar world, a nation needs support from multiple players across all domains in order to harness the opportunities and maximise the benefits. It becomes imprudent if a nation relies extensively on one or two players. Post-bipolar world demands a judicious balance of diplomacy from nations to reap economic, geo-political benefits and above all to fight terrorism. The strategic leverage that both nations, India and Pakistan, have given their geographical locations is immense and offers them a wide range of economic opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Author:-
Samudrala VK
Columnist on International Affairs and Trade
Director, Samudrala VK IAS Academy

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