By Elton Gomes
Pakistani Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that India and Pakistan can reach a peaceful agreement by engaging in meaningful dialogue.
While addressing a parade of cadets on their graduation day at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Bajwa said,”It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputesincluding the core issue of Kashmirruns through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue,” the Hindustan Times reported.
However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness. Our valiant armed forces are Alhamdulillah fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner, the Pakistani daily the ExpressTribune reported.
Bajwa also spoke about the Kashmir issue, urging other leaders of the world to make efforts to bring peace in the valley.
I also take this opportunity to express our complete political and moral support to the basic right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Those peace-loving, innocent citizens are being subjected to one of the worst form of state terrorism, he added.
Here’s what happened
Surgical strikes
In February 2018, India blamed Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Muhammed for targeting soldiers, and their families in the Sanjuwan camp. However, Pakistan accused India of reaching this consensus without making a full inquiry, the Times of India reported.
The attack on the Sunjuwan army camp saw the deaths of five soldiers and one civilian. Following the attack, in a major operation across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Indian army commandos killed four Pakistani soldiers in Rawalkot.
Harassment of diplomats
On March 11, 2018, Pakistan accused India of harassing its diplomats and their family members, threatening to recall the diplomats if the alleged harassment did not stop. A diplomatic sourced revealed to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn that over a three-day period, the children of Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner were stopped and harassed while they were on their way to school.
In another incident, the source said that a senior diplomat was harassed while “moving” in Delhi.
After the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received reports of harassment, it said that the incidents “will no doubt be investigated,” NDTV reported. The ministry assured Pakistan about launching a probe to look into the matter, but it also flagged the issue of Indian diplomats being harassed similarly in Pakistan.
“Indian diplomats in Islamabad have been facing tremendous harassment for long, particularly in the last year,” the Centre reportedly said, adding that the diplomats stationed in Pakistan chose to combat the menace with ”quiet and persistent diplomacy” rather than talking to the media about the issue.
According to a report by NDTV, Indian diplomats in Islamabad have suffered power cuts, robberies, and more. However, despite the Pakistani foreign ministry’s assurances, not much has changed. Tensions further escalated ridiculously when both countries began to play childish tit-for-tat knock-and-run pranks.
Sikh pilgrims allegedly denied access
In what is being termed as a violation of the Vienna Convention, Pakistan, on Sunday, prevented Sikh pilgrims from meeting the Indian envoy. However, Pakistan denied the allegations of blocking access to Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan claimed it was “ironic” for India to accuse it of violating the Vienna Convention, adding that it was India that first denied visas to Pakistani pilgrims, thereby violating the protocol.
The Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal rejected the allegations, and expressed regret that facts were distorted and misrepresented.
Why you should care
A previous report in the ExpressTribune mentions that India and Pakistan seem to have several common enemies like overpopulation, diseases, terrorism, and natural calamitieswhich the neighbouring states have failed to combat.
Unfortunately, both nations appear to expend more energy in trying to weaken ties than solve pressing internal issues. A report in Dawn mentions a list of things that the two states can do instead of fighting, which includes the very real need for both nations to stop selling conflict to its citizens. It is high time that both nations overcome petty their differences, put a stop to political posturing, and attempt to take the first real steps in establishing a healthy and peaceful alliance.