The relationship between Pakistan and India has hit an impasse with neither side wanting to bend their ways. After having offered an olive branch to New Delhi multiple times on the condition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi restores Indian-occupied Kashmir’s special status that he had revoked in 2019, Islamabad no longer wants to engage with New Delhi. And this policy stance was made clear on Tuesday with National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf refusing to accept India’s invitation for the Afghanistan moot. Last month, New Delhi sent out invitations to NSAs of key stakeholders – Russia, China and Pakistan – to attend a meeting on the volatile Afghan situation. This move was seen by many as a hope of revival of bilateral ties between the two estranged neighbours. But during a press conference on November 2nd, Yusuf said, “I am not going [to India]. A spoiler cannot be a peacemaker,” when asked about Pakistan’s decision on sending the NSA to the neighbouring country. The fact that his demeanor was calm and the reply immediate, it is safe to say that Islamabad has a made a decision.
India’s involvement in Afghanistan on the behest of its friends in the West, considering its support for then president Ashraf Ghani and billion dollars investments in almost every state of the war-torn country, has made its sudden desire to engage with countries that it was, in fact, positioned to counter in the global chessboard questionable. Afterall, policymakers in India along with its Modi-influenced media had wrongly blamed Pakistan for the smooth Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. A robust disinformation campaign was launched along with fake news alleging Islamabad’s support for the Taliban was in abundance. We must also not forget that it was under India’s UNSC presidentship when Pakistan was kept out from the crucial Afghan meeting back in August. In the backdrop of this, the sudden change of heart in New Delhi raises multiple questions. Besides Islamabad’s stance has been clear that it would only engage once Kashmir’s special status has been restored.
The people of Kashmir have undoubtedly been living in an open prison under Modi’s leadership. Islamabad’s efforts to raise voice for their right to self-determination is based on its moral, legal and political interest. While as just as the cause is, outrightly rejecting India’s invitation may not serve Pakistan. Islamabad can use its position as a ‘key stakeholder’ in the Afghan issue to push New Delhi to restore Kashmir’s special status. Pakistan should reconsider its decision.
