Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surprised many by inviting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan to attend the inauguration of his government. His decision emphasizes a new political will in Delhi to take risks for peace. It has made possible a meeting with Sharif which otherwise may have taken a long, tortuous course. Besides, the meddlesome West has been told that its mediation on Jammu & Kashmir is not necessary. It can be settled bilaterally. What is more, the Muslim minority in India should be reassured that Modi is not anti-secular as some make him out to be. The attack on the Indian embassy at Herat by the Taliban seemed to put up a hindrance to Sharif’s visit. But the Pakistan Prime Minister had overcome that. Modi is aware of the divide between the Pakistan civil government in Islamabad and its army and the CIA. He knows that Sharif’s powers are limited. Talks should be linked to cross-border terrorism triggered by Rawalpindi. Nawaz Sharif cannot stop future attacks on India, however. Nor can he bring the culprits in the Mumbai outrage of 2008 to justice.
Nevertheless, now that Sharif is in Delhi, India must start engagement with Pakistan at all levels. The national capability to ward off future terror attacks on India will be strengthened. Modi cannot overlook the fact that Sharif’s hands are tied but there is scope for cooperation in trade liberalization and confidence building measures in J& K. Formal and back-channel dialogue between the two countries should be kick-started. There will be no immediate structural change in the relationship. But India can proceed with greater confidence.
