Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the bold decision of inviting all heads of Governments of SAARC for participation in his oath-taking ceremony. All except the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, (who is not in the country but sent an emissary), attended the memorable function on the Rai Sina hills. Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif also made it possible along with his team of high dignitaries. He came despite a warning from the chief of Pakistan’s main Theo-fascist organization, LeT, against doing so. It launched an attack on Indian Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, to scuttle Nawaz Sharif’s proposed visit. President Karzai, also the visiting SAARC guest, categorically stated on Indian soil that LeT conducted Herat attack.
Oath-taking ceremony by itself was an important and historical event bringing a message to the world that democracy and democratic transition of power in India had stabilized and could become a model for ensuring stabilization of peace and stability in the entire region. Millions of Indians hailed the occasion as the moment of change from a fossilized and paralyzed order to vibrant and re-vitalizing governance under the new regime.
The Modi Government has made a strong and promising beginning to be noticed variously viz. small cabinet, independent charge to Ministers of State, rational accommodating of his party’s allies essentially on the basis of their performance in the polls.
In inviting the SAARC leaders and interacting with them briefly on the occasion, Prime Minister has sent a message across the globe that his Government is committed to establishing good and friendly relations with the neighbours as well as other countries. This is the first but vital step in a bid to dispel the impression that India is hegemonic in the SAARC. According to some observers, this has been the reason why SAARC has not made many noteworthy achievements so far. Some optimistic analysts believe that it could also be the beginning of a new era of relationship among the SAARC countries which is likely to expand to other countries in the Asian Continent.
Implications of Modi’s invitation to two SAARC members in particular, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, were hotly debated. The perception was that domestic politics of Pakistan was likely to create some hurdles for Nawaz Sharif, which, however, he managed to overcome through astute political manoeuvring. In the case of Sri Lanka, protests by sections of pro-Tamils against Rajapaksa’s visit was expected and hence handled properly. Though the occasion was not meant for any detailed bi-lateral talks, yet presence of these dignitaries did provide an opportunity for the leaders to reiterate their interest in strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations through trade, economic, technological and scientific cooperation, and opening new avenues of strengthening relations.
India and Pakistan are two largest countries among the seven SAARC nations. They have a bigger role to play in bringing about cohesion among the member countries on many issues of common interest. This entire region is assuming strategic importance from more than one angle. They are in control of high waterways of the Indian Ocean through which three-fourth of world’s trade flows…
India-Pakistan watchers consider interaction between the two Prime Ministers a fairly good chance for the resumption of bilateral composite talks that had been stalled two years ago. On Indian side, the Foreign Secretary came out with a statement to the press reflecting on the substance of interaction. But on Pakistani side, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a written statement to the press. Both sides called the meeting a good and successful beginning hoping that agenda for detailed talks between the two sides would be chalked out by their Foreign Secretaries.
The question that was uppermost in the mind of media persons and others was to find out whether Prime Minister Modi had climbed down from his public stand that gun and talks would not go together. The inference one draws from the statement of the Foreign Secretary is that Modi has clearly told his Pakistani counterpart that his country’s soil should not be used for anti-India activities, and secondly, the culprits of 26/11 should be brought to book if relations are to improve. We understand that Pakistani side has conceded that terrorism is a big problem faced by both the countries and has to be dealt with firmly. Two things are notable in connection with Nawaz Sharif’s visit. One is that Kashmir was not mentioned at any occasion and secondly Nawaz Sharif did not invite the Hurriyat leaders for a meeting. Both of these happenings are unusual and if these could be any indication, one may say with fair amount of confidence that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wants to walk an additional mile in straightening relations with India now that both Prime Ministers have a clear mandate from their respective people. Modi Government will be more than cooperating in seeing that Nawaz Sharif is able to establish the sway of democratic forces and institutions in his country over all other institutions. We Indians should always wish a strong and stable democratic Pakistan in our neighbourhood.
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