Measured way

 

THE Indian assertion against common evils such as terrorism made by Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar at the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was only a customary development in tune with the event’s flow. What mattered more was Dr. Jaishankar’s presence in Pakistan since the Pakistani society and media were excited about his arrival -- in a fond expectation of some opening of dialogue between India and Pakistan. Nothing of that sort happened, and Dr. Jaishankar did not budge an inch from the premeditated script -- all the time maintaining that no bilateral issues between India and Pakistan would get any lift during his visit for the SCO meet. Despite that, the Pakistanis were genuinely excited about Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for whatever reason -- and saw that as a possible opportunity of a dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad. That detail is of little significance. What matters more in the context is a growing desire in the larger Pakistani society somehow to end hostilities between the two neighbours and somehow start a dialogue in favour of rapprochement. No matter what the Pakistani rulers think on the issue, the common people of the country appear to be favouring a dialogue with India. Though every item on the popular wish-list may not materialise, the very fact that the common Pakistanis are pressing for a dialogue with India, is a matter of great satisfaction as well as amusement.

 

Obviously, the people of Pakistan are tired of hostilities with India and are also looking forward to ways to improve their country’s overall economic condition by opening trade etc with India. Their exasperation can well be understood. Of course, in international realpolitik, such emotionalism has little place and space. Even though the Pakistani ruling class also realises the folly of the country’s anti-India policy, its leaders are unwilling to open a serious and sincere dialogue with India -- may be for the reasons of the pressure from the Pakistani military masters. Somehow, the Pakistani military and its political class appear interested in continuing hostilities with India -- and therefore are unwilling to consider the common people’s wish-list. Dr. Jaishankar -- and India -- are deeply and fully aware of this dichotomy or dilemma of Pakistani society vis-a-vis India on one side and their own country’s growth on the other. That was the reason why Dr. Jaishankar made it known in so many words that while he is in Pakistan for the SCO meeting, no bilateral issues would be discussed between the two neighbours.

 

During his brief encounter with Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Shehbaz Sharif at a banquet, Dr. Jaishankar kept things absolutely formal and expedient. This approach of his, too, raised puffs of disappointment in Pakistani society, as media reports have us believe. What is clearly noticeable is certain change of approach of the Pakistani society towards India. Many voices even stressed that arrival of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for the SCO meet would have been better for the overall quality of the event, as well as for the texture of India-Pakistan relations. That was not just a popular naivete, but a good marker of Pakistan’s changing national mood vis-a-vis India -- a far cry from the situation a couple of years ago. Dr. Jaishankar was obviously aware of those nuances -- and conducted himself in the most professional manner. By so doing, he showed his class and classicism. In the process, he must have endeared himself all the more with many more people everywhere in the world. He looked a man in perfect control and dictated terms clearly -- leaving the Pakistani people and leadership in a confused condition.