Nawaz Sharif, new Prime Minister of Pakistan, vowed to pursue progressively normalcy in ties with India. He wants a solution to outstanding issues like Kashmir. Neighbours will be the focus of attention of all Pakistani missions. Peace in the region, Sharif said, held the key to economic growth and development. Long before assuming office as Prime Minister for the third time, he had indicated his intention to work on improving relations with India. The détente with India was shown in the Lahore declaration after talks with the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee but General Pervez Musharraf had deposed him in 1999. Sharif has stressed the importance of developing regional consensus in supporting a stable government in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan- led peace process to be continued. He has also highlighted the areas of common interest in Pakistan’s relations with the US. Convergence should be the keynote of Ishlamabad’s policy towards Washington. A comprehensive strategy on fighting terrorism is also very much on Nawaz Sharif’s mind. Political parties, security forces, media and civil society should collaborate on the exercise.
As an inaugural outline of foreign policy, Sharif’s statements generate optimism. But there are so many hurdles. Kashmir remains a bone of contention. Nawaz Sharif is a devout Muslim and his views are likely to be clouded by his Islamic outlook. His attitude to the Taliban in Pakistan causes misgivings and is at variance with that of the Pakistan Army, especially of General Kayani. This is likely to sour relations with both India and US on the vexed question of Afghan reconstruction. Can it be reconciled with the Afghan- led peace process? However, Nawaz Sharif represents business interests in Pakistan, being himself a businessman. The economic compulsions of normalizing relations with India should weigh heavily with him. That should engender new hope in New Delhi. Nawaz Sharif, new Prime Minister of Pakistan, vowed to pursue progressively normalcy in ties with India. He wants a solution to outstanding issues like Kashmir. Neighbours will be the focus of attention of all Pakistani missions. Peace in the region, Sharif said, held the key to economic growth and development. Long before assuming office as Prime Minister for the third time, he had indicated his intention to work on improving relations with India. The détente with India was shown in the Lahore declaration after talks with the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee but General Pervez Musharraf had deposed him in 1999. Sharif has stressed the importance of developing regional consensus in supporting a stable government in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan- led peace process to be continued. He has also highlighted the areas of common interest in Pakistan’s relations with the US. Convergence should be the keynote of Ishlamabad’s policy towards Washington. A comprehensive strategy on fighting terrorism is also very much on Nawaz Sharif’s mind. Political parties, security forces, media and civil society should collaborate on the exercise.
As an inaugural outline of foreign policy, Sharif’s statements generate optimism. But there are so many hurdles. Kashmir remains a bone of contention. Nawaz Sharif is a devout Muslim and his views are likely to be clouded by his Islamic outlook. His attitude to the Taliban in Pakistan causes misgivings and is at variance with that of the Pakistan Army, especially of General Kayani. This is likely to sour relations with both India and US on the vexed question of Afghan reconstruction. Can it be reconciled with the Afghan- led peace process? However, Nawaz Sharif represents business interests in Pakistan, being himself a businessman. The economic compulsions of normalizing relations with India should weigh heavily with him. That should engender new hope in New Delhi.