ADDRESSING a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the relationship with India is marked by an atmosphere of mistrust, primarily due to New Delhi’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. However, Pakistan is committed to having cooperative and good-neighbourly relations with India, on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality. To move forward, he emphasized that India will have to address the obstacles that hinder peaceful coexistence, reverse its illegal measures in IIOJK, and create an enabling environment for meaningful engagement and result-oriented dialogue.

Pakistan has always shown the sincerity of purpose to establish good relations with India as it serves the interests of the peoples of both the countries. However, it is unfortunate that India has never reciprocated to those sentiments rather have taken steps that only provoked the situation. The FM’s recent statement reaffirms Pakistan’s genuine desire for peaceful coexistence with India. It is only through mutual understanding and respect that lasting peace can be achieved in the region and the Indian leadership must have to recognize it whilst rising above the hegemonic frame of mind. The reference to reversing illegal measures in IIOJK underscores Pakistan’s principled stance on the lingering dispute. It is essential for India to acknowledge the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and take steps to restore their rights and autonomy. By doing so, India will be demonstrating its commitment to create an environment conducive to dialogue and reconciliation. However, it will not be wrong to say that nothing good can be expected from the current Indian leadership. Hence it is important for our foreign office and government to continue to forcefully raise the plight of Kashmiri people at different forums and bilateral meetings with the world leaders as was done by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a recent visit to Azerbaijan which in fact is one of the few countries that has always raised voice for the rights of Kashmiri people. Responsibility rests with the important capitals to use their influence on New Delhi and push it to move towards the resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and aspirations of the local people. This is important for regional peace and stability.