Pak Tea House » India, Pakistan » India and Pakistan: conflict or co-existence
India and Pakistan: conflict or co-existence
By Saad Hafiz
Pakistan should accept that India as a major power in South Asia can exert significant influence on this region due to the size of its armed forces, economy, population and democratic credentials which no other nation in South Asia can match. India is also well on its way to being recognized as a global power by other countries in the region and beyond, despite the yet to be fulfilled dream to obtain a permanent Security Council seat.
From attaining regional supremacy and the ability to project its global aspirations; India has also moved decisively towards achieving another objective articulated by the prominent Indian strategist the late K. Subrahmanyam (KS) “India needs strategic partnerships with all democratic, pluralistic and secular powers to counter the combined threat from an alliance of authoritarian and monolithic systems allied with jehadi forces.” KS and other Indian strategists see the Pakistan-China relationship as a Chinese attempt to contain a democratic India which it sees as a challenge to its single-party oligarchy.
Bismarck would have been proud of what India has achieved in terms of strategic partnerships; particularly since 9/11. Like a superior chess player, India has correctly strategized its moves by earning the trust of global powers as a peaceful and friendly nation and a bulwark against Islamic extremism. India has also successfully manipulated and formulated its desired alliances in particular with the United States and Israel. By ensuring that Pakistan as its main enemy is largely isolated, India’s main fear is the nightmare coalition (Pakistan-China) that could jeopardize India in case of war. As a result, India has strived to maintain peaceful co-existence and economic relations with China to ensure that the nightmare coalition never materializes.
While the power equation in South Asia has permanently shifted in India’s favour, it also raises troubling questions for Indian policy makers. India would be pleased to see a demilitarized Pakistan but would not be comfortable with a failed State as a neighbour which may jeopardize India’s own progress and prosperity. Indian policy makers realize that in aspiring to become a global power, India will have to shoulder greater responsibilities. This greater responsibility in dealing with Pakistan may require co-existence with and not the destruction of a weakened neighbour, a compromise between Gandhi and Chanakya.
So where does that leave Pakistan, a nation which has steadily lost ground to India as the economic and military disparity has grown which combined with near diplomatic isolation has seriously disturbed the balance of power in South Asia. Pakistan has contributed to its isolation by its association with the nuclear proliferation activities of Dr. A.Q. Khan and the perception in the international community that it is as an exporter of terrorism; a perception reinforced by the brutal and condemnable atrocities in Mumbai in 2008.
Pakistan had enjoyed some diplomatic breathing space, military and economic aid due to its tactical alliance with the United States in the war on terror. However, the continuing internal implosion and massive domestic blowback of suicide bombings, inflamed Pushtoon nationalism and a serious loss in national confidence has largely negated any benefits that may have been derived from joining the war on terror.
Whilst recognizing that economic parity or balance with India is out of question, a nuclear-armed Pakistan believes it is in a position to exercise nuclear deterrence against any conventional threat from India. Pakistan is also counting on its “strategic” partnership with China, the world’s second power with its expanding economic influence and military might. However, from previous examples in history it would be a mistake for Pakistan to shape its relationship with India exclusively around an unsustainable arms race, costly nuclear deterrence or a single strategic partnership.
Pakistan requires a broader engagement with India more than just convincing its larger neighbour that terrorism is a common threat and that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved to defeat terrorism. Firstly, Pakistan has to realize that its primary national security threat is domestic terrorism and not India. Secondly, Pakistan must punish the Mumbai planners quickly and realize that it has no choice but to sincerely fight both domestic and international terror. The consequences of doing otherwise would be too horrible to contemplate. Thirdly, Pakistan must find the will to revive its economy by expanding the domestic tax base, fight corruption, reduce dependence on foreign aid/loans and encourage and accelerate trade with all countries including India.
Pakistan must also get off the “patriotic” bandwagon and stop shaping its national discourse around the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the glorious Islamic past of imperialist conquest towards more progressive ideas such as better education, healthcare and governance for all its citizens. Pakistanis have to be convinced that to survive, the country must change from being a national security state to a state that is at peace with itself, where people live and prosper in a democratic and inclusive society. In short, Pakistanis have to work together to revive Jinnah’s Pakistan. A greater focus on reforming domestic economic and security policy will allow Pakistan to co-exist with a prosperous and influential India.
Filed under: India, Pakistan · Tags: India, Pakistan, Saad Hafiz
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I am not very smart guy nor very well informed on these matters but something i feel not only Pakistanis but we Indians have missed. I would not fault Pakistanis for this because questioning ones faith or its leaders is totally alien for you guys.
When you say Jinnah’s Pakistan do you know what it actually even means. prior to 9\11 or even prior to 2005. There were hardly any suicide bombings or sectarian violence even economy was doing good. Pakistan at that time still was the Jihad factory of the world. Islamist had been running the show. Things started to get ugly only after Americans set their foot on Pakistani soil. Had the american not come to Pakistan in 80s things would
have even better for Pakistan. BUT what has this got to do with Jinnah.
IT WAS JINNAH WHO SAID THAT OURS IS AN EXCELLENT LOCATION GIVEN OUR PROXIMITY TO USSR AND AMERICANS WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN US.
i am no America hater but where ever american set their feet, they have only brought chaos. What ever Pakistan has achieved till now is not by its own hard work but by external help. First it was West and KSA and now it is China where India never had any sugar daddies and what ever it has achieved it is on its own hard work. Pakistan even with the help of China cannot achieve success because Pakistani politicians and army are not bothered about Pakistan, they busy fighting each other and after living on external dole for many years .Pakistanis are incapable of working hard.
And world is attracted to us because of our economic might not because we played our cards well after 9\11. MMS is just too US pro thats why the prime minster keep harping US view that destinies of India and Pak are linked. This complete BS. We have managed our nation on our own even after facing huge challenge in form of huge cultural and religious diversity and huge poor population and not to forget wars thrust upon us. If we manage all this and still remain intact as a single nation then Pakistan is nothing in front of us.
Would it be “accepting Indian regional hegemony” if the India-Pakistan border becomes as peaceful as the US-Canada border? From a Pakistani perspective, what would need to happen?
Perhaps time has come for stressing Unity in Diversity for the whole of S.Asia while avoiding military conflict at all cost. Does not mean subjugating one area in favour of any other. Does mean not fomenting trouble and encouraging preservation of autonomous cultures with political space for breathing – whether in Balochistan, or Nagaland or wherever
This is a very precise articulation of the Indian aims and its strategy and must be discussed more frequently among the influential circles in Pakistan.
Indian national goals require minimal concessions if any from Pakistan. While Even if it can be argued that India seeks a great power status, it can only be achieved by improving the quality of life of its own citizens and continued economic performance. For this, it does not need any concessions territorial or otherwise, from Pakistan. Besides, any hostilities with Pakistan (even a tactical victory) can only make it harder for India to achieve the above stated goals.
In short, all India needs, is a peaceful and stable Western frontier.
That India did not respond militarily but mounted an unrelenting diplomatic campaign in response the Mumbai massacre is an indicator of such a mature calculus on the Indian side.
It is very unlikely that organizers of the Mumbai massacre would ever be seriously prosecuted and punished but if it were to happen; Pakistan would instantly gain significant diplomatic stature around the world and lower tensions with India.
Regards.
Good write up, appreciate the spirit and progressive outlook.
Couple of caveats:
1) You wrote “India has also successfully manipulated and formulated its desired alliances in particular with the United States and Israel”
Surprisinlgly you haven’t used Chanakyan, etc. Is this India’s “manipulation”? or is it the truth? i.e a pluaralistic democracy, multiethnic, with a very large muslim population, still celebrating diversity standing up to Islamic extremism?
SECOND,
Jinnah is a lie, was a lie. What you have now is actually “Jinnah’s pakistan”. Natural outcome of what Jinnahism/ political Islamism.
You, Raza Rumi, YLH all seem to be much more rational, progressive individuals compared to Jinnah.
Hafiz,
We have outsourced our economic policy to IMF and security policy to Americans. What is the problem? We already watch Bollywood. What do we outsource to Indians?
More later.
[...] India and Pakistan: conflict or co-existence [...]
Parvez, ["...What do we outsource to Indians?..."]
To answer your question, just for a minute, imagine a day back in say 1945 or so, and ask yourself: what was the relationship among the people who lived in the region that is today either in Pakistan or India? Did they trade and engage in commerce with one another? Did they celebrate in the festivities of each others faith? Did they play cricket together with abandon? Did they as neighbors try to live in peace and mutual respect in their communities and neighborhoods? Any sincere and honest reflection on these questions should get us on the right path. So outsource peace.
Parvez – “What do we outsource to Indians?”
Your non-veg cooking skills and sense of humor.
Parvez – Please disregard previous comment – I was reading “outsource” but thinking export.
I forgot to add my often repeated comment:
When the British left India, it was already an economic power house of the world – one of the engines that had powered British Empire and the Allys to victory in both WWI and WWII. The economies of China and Japan were then in a state of disarray. There is every reason to hope that both Pakistan and India can match the progress of China and Japan in the past 63 years. Why not? EU nations which were once fatal foes live together with open borders.
It does not require an economic genius to see the folly in neglecting the vast potential for mutual trade and commerce within a stones throw all along its 1800 mile eastern border with India.
Watty
I’m sure you were not an adult in 1945. In Lahore at least, Hindus were traders and money lenders and lived in separate areas with minimal social interaction with others. Cricket matches? Don’t build that glorious past which never exited under British rule. Let’s do an experiment with free trade, people interaction between Lahore and Amritsar and see how it works for both parties. It is the only place where it could work. I bet India would never agree to it. So lovers, walk the talk.
Like a superior chess player, India has correctly strategized its moves by earning the trust of global powers as a peaceful and friendly nation and a bulwark against Islamic extremism.
When you’re growing at 8+% in a global economic funk you’re automatically a “superior chess player”. Everyone wants to play chess with you anyway. If Pakistan can figure that out it’ll be a relief for everyone. Take an economic cue from Singapore, not from China. That aspiration is more in line with Pakistan’s punching category.
Are you a fool or a man living an illusion?I don’t think that you have considerd the role of BJP,RSS,Hinduat and RAW between Pakistan and Hindustan.The hatred shown by Bal Thakray and Modi towards Pakistan and even Muslims living in Baharat will ever make it possible.The dream of Akhand Baharat have blinded the Baharati Janta.Have you ever read the comments of indians in their so called free press and electronic media against Pakistan?They are not prepared to accept a cricket match be allowed to be played at Bombay,even if it may be a Final World Cup match between the two countries.
I don’t think indians will ever be prepared to solve the problems,especially Kashmir Issue.So it is futile to think in these terms at all.
Sardar Khan – Bal Thackeray, thanks to some in the Indian left, is given more credence than he deserves. Thackeray can barely get the Mumbaites to follow him, let alone India.
And a nation which reeects a party led by a Sikh and an Italian born Roman Catholic can hardly have delusions of an “Akhand Bharat”.
As for Modi – read the comments made about him by the new head – Mr.Vastanvi – of the Deobandi seminary
This article makes a great deal of sense.
@Sardar Khan: The dream of Akhand Baharat have blinded the Baharati Janta.
Kind of presumptuous to think anyone with a functioning brain would still want a piece of Pakistan. Bharat as it stands now is plenty akhand. If we didn’t do a Bangladesh accession in 1971 why would we do something far more ridiculous now? Notice how the brothers in the Kashmir Valley are also talking up azadi and killing any talk of accession to Pakistan. Get a clue how Pakistan is perceived externally.
@ Libertarian
Forgive them for they know not what they are talking about.
@libertarian
he is just regurgitating “Pakistan studies” text books.
I am sure he had questions like this:
1. akhand Bharat and defense of Pakistan ideology
( essay question-15 marks)
“Akhand Bharat” ?????.
Indians are not so stupid!
And, Kashmiris as well.
Kashmiri muslims appears to be trouble makes too, see what that Kashmiri Daisy Khan doing in USA with that Cardoba (Mosque) initiative(provocations)!!
Completely OT But this one is a keeper
Just 1 per cent of Pakistanis pay the tax. In Karachi, tax collectors are so desperate to increase local revenues that they have hired transsexuals to stand outside the homes of tax dodgers, hoping to shame them into paying. Even that hasn’t worked.
Pakistan wants Indian Kashmir.
India isn’t going to give up Indian Kashmir.
There’s nothing Pakistan can do to change that.
The Pakistani security establishment has too much vested in the futile quest to make India give up Indian Kashmir.
There….simple enough for you?
Pakistani elite has a definite and high interest in keeping up the hatred against India. On the indian side such an interest is much much less. Pakistani elite has much to gain and keep by letting loose a vicious slander against India and hindus. The indian elite has nothing to gain or keep by hate against Pakistan. With muslim population reproducing fast in India and with many terror groups among muslims the indian elite is never going to say anything against islam. But vilifying hinduism brings much political advantage to the rulers in Pakistan.
Sardar//Are you a fool or a man living an illusion?I don’t think that you have considerd the role of BJP,RSS,Hinduat and RAW between Pakistan and Hindustan.The hatred shown by Bal Thakray and Modi towards Pakistan and even Muslims living in Baharat will ever make it possible.The dream of Akhand Baharat have blinded the Baharati Janta.Have you ever read the comments of indians in their so called free press and electronic media against Pakistan?They are not prepared to accept a cricket match be allowed to be played at Bombay,even if it may be a Final World Cup match between the two countries./
anyday these folks are better than ur politicians who are busy minting a la idi amin/ gaddafi / many others who are just despots nothing much. Whilst I have always agreed to support that our govt is highly corrupt at various levels, I am glad to acknowledge we are doing well in term of annualized growth and it certainly matters quite a lot in day to day affairs for general public
Certainly despots dont rule us. Yes Quasi ones govern in certain regions and expected to be booted out in no uncertain terms in the elections. This is our victory. There is problem, we recognize, we decimate in our own timelines. Hope u get it. and certainly no where in my commentary you will find any hatred against a jew, muslim, jain, buddhist, christina, chinese et al. I think this is rediculous in today’ age. Gaddafi is a sworn enemy amidst his own folks! go thru t0day’s news lines my friend…
Pakistan has inflicted a financial damage of 630 billion dollars on India during the past 63 years. In this process (of venomous slander and blood-curdling violence, instigated by the religion, ideology and falsified history-writing of/in Pakistan) it has inflicted a 315 billion dollar damage on itself. The damage that religion, ideology and falsified history-writing have caused in Bangladesh is about 150 billion dollars.
That is together 1095 billion dollars.
Let pakistanis, especially their religious, political and military leaders and history-writers take notice of this.