As India dismisses reports of cricket diplomacy during Jaishankar’s Pakistan visit, Nawaz Sharif calls for burying the past and fostering better ties between the two nations.
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been fraught with tensions for decades, marked by wars, territorial disputes, and terror attacks. The bitterness has only deepened in recent years, particularly after the 2019 Pulwama attack and India’s response with the Balakot airstrikes. Diplomatic, economic, and sporting ties have largely been suspended, and despite occasional efforts to mend the relationship, progress has been slow. Amid this backdrop, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has made a renewed call for reconciliation, urging both countries to “bury the past” and move forward.
Nawaz Sharif’s Call for Reconciliation
In a recent interaction with Indian journalists in Lahore, Nawaz Sharif expressed optimism about improving India-Pakistan relations. He described Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting as a “good beginning” and an opportunity for the two nations to take a fresh approach toward their bilateral ties.
Sharif, a three-time former Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N), emphasized the need to not let historical animosities dictate the future. “We have lost 75 years,” he said, “now we should think of the next 75 years.” He lamented the long pause in the bilateral relationship and stressed the importance of sitting down to discuss how both countries could move forward.
Criticism of Imran Khan’s Role in Strained Ties
During the discussion, Nawaz Sharif did not hold back in criticizing his political rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, for contributing to the deterioration of relations between India and Pakistan. Sharif pointed to Imran Khan’s inflammatory rhetoric and undiplomatic remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly a controversial 2018 post, as factors that damaged the already fragile relationship between the two neighbors. He suggested that the hostility during Khan’s tenure had set back efforts to establish a more stable relationship with India.
Reflecting on Past Diplomacy: Vajpayee and Modi
Nawaz Sharif fondly recalled earlier moments of diplomacy between India and Pakistan, highlighting former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 1999 visit to Lahore and Narendra Modi’s surprise stopover in 2015 as important gestures of goodwill. He described Vajpayee’s Lahore visit as a positive turning point, expressing his admiration for Vajpayee’s speech and his efforts to foster peace. Sharif mentioned that he still revisits footage of Vajpayee’s visit on YouTube, reliving those hopeful memories.
Sharif also spoke about Modi’s visit to his home in Lahore in December 2015, when the Indian Prime Minister dropped by on his way back from Afghanistan. Modi met Sharif’s family during the surprise stopover, which Sharif described as a significant gesture, not only in political terms but on a personal level. He remarked that gestures like these should not be overlooked and have great meaning in India-Pakistan relations.
The Complexities of India-Pakistan Relations
While Nawaz Sharif expressed his desire for improved relations, the deep-rooted complexities of India-Pakistan ties remain. The former Pakistani Prime Minister avoided commenting on sensitive issues like Article 370 and Kashmir, acknowledging that the current occasion was not appropriate for such discussions. However, these remain contentious points of contention between the two countries, particularly since India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, further straining the relationship.
Sharif’s call for reconciliation must also be seen against the backdrop of terrorist attacks, such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2016 Pathankot attack, which were carried out by Pakistan-based terror groups and have severely damaged trust between the two nations. Diplomatic ties hit rock bottom after India conducted airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot region in response to the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019.
India Dismisses Reports of Cricket Diplomacy
Amid Sharif’s calls for improving ties, speculation arose about possible discussions between India and Pakistan regarding the resumption of cricket ties during Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the SCO meeting. However, India swiftly dismissed these reports. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, no substantial talks were held about resuming cricket ties during Jaishankar’s brief interactions with Pakistani officials at the SCO summit.
Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad marked the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years, but officials clarified that the trip was solely for attending the SCO meeting. The only formal bilateral engagement Jaishankar had during the visit was with Mongolia’s Prime Minister, and his interactions with Pakistani officials were limited to exchanging pleasantries at informal settings such as dinners.
Sharif Advocates for Cricket and Trade Resumption
Despite India’s dismissal of talks on cricket diplomacy, Nawaz Sharif continues to push for the resumption of sporting ties between the two nations. He expressed his willingness to travel to India if the two cricket teams face off in the final of any major tournament. Sharif also emphasized the importance of reviving trade between the two countries, lamenting the fact that goods often have to pass through third-party countries, such as Dubai, instead of moving directly between India and Pakistan.
He noted that both nations have considerable economic potential and that the current trade suspension, in place since 2019, only hurts both countries’ farmers and manufacturers. “What should take two hours now takes two weeks,” Sharif said, pointing out the inefficiency caused by severed trade routes.
Prospects of a New Beginning
Nawaz Sharif’s comments signal a desire to open a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations. His willingness to overlook the past and focus on the future represents a pragmatic approach to improving ties. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, including terrorism, territorial disputes, and political mistrust. Whether Sharif’s call for reconciliation will lead to concrete action remains uncertain, but his sentiments reflect a desire for peace that resonates with many on both sides of the border.
(With inputs from agencies)
