India should accept Pak’s offer of friendship but with a lot of caution

Following the principle of once bitten, twice shy, India can resume talks and trade with Pakistan, to normalise ties but with a pinch of salt. The new Pak PM is sending signals to soften their stand and resume ties with India.

Current Signals

PM Modi congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on assuming the office as the new PM of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He clearly stated that India wants peace and stability in the region without the menace of terrorism so that both nations can focus on the development of their citizens.

Responding to the congratulatory tweet, Shehbaz Sharif too hinted at cooperation between the two neighbouring nations and talked of securing peace and focusing on the development of people. However, he did mention the Kashmir issue, which had been the constant thing for all the Pakistan leaders to rack up anytime, anywhere.

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Earlier the Pakistan Army chief General Bajwa too toned down his rhetoric and talked of peace with India. During the ‘Islamabad Security Dialogue’ on April 2nd, he said all disputes with India should be settled peacefully through dialogue.

Pakistan – Political Instability

Pakistan lived up to its reputation, yet another PM failed to complete his term in office. Imran Khan Niazi was ousted from his office as Prime Minister and the history of political instability in Pakistan continued. He was voted out after a No-confidence motion, moved by the united opposition of Pakistan, was passed in its parliament. Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd PM in Pakistan’s history. He is the brother of former PM Nawaz Sharif who is currently in exile. No PM in Pak’s history has ever completed their full term.

Imran Khan Niazi with his political rhetoric and hatred towards India took it to a historic low. With the new PM assuming office and his lesser rhetoric compared to Imran Khan seems to be a move in the right direction but still, we should be aware of Pakistan’s basic instinct, which is betrayal.

History of Backstabbing

Pakistan has a long history of backstabbing India since its inception. It is in its blood and veins to talk sweetly and hold a knife behind its back. The Lahore bus service started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was backstabbed in the most heinous way possible with a war on sovereignty. Kargil war was imposed on us for our gesture of peace and goodwill. PM Modi’s step of friendship was also foiled nefariously with a dastardly terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase and an army camp in Uri.

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India while making friendly gestures towards Pakistan should keep in mind that the political heads are merely a tool of the Pakistan army. Its eternal motto is to wage a war against India. Moreover, the socio-economic situation in Pakistan is at its lowest. Fostering nationalist sentiments to subdue all other critical issues has been the last resort for shallow political leaders in Pakistan. For that, they can anytime start a conflict or war with India to save their political careers.

While this softening stand on Pakistan’s side is quite a welcome move, we should analyse every move critically and follow the principle of trust but verify. The improvement in ties should be gradual with trade resumption being the first thing and India should resist being a large-hearted nation and avoid sweepingly trusting Pakistan and following previous administrations’ fallacies.