: New opportunities for normalising India-Pak relations #IndiaNEWS #International New Delhi, April 19 | The change in government in Islamabad can become a harbinger for not just restoring civility in

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New opportunities for normalising India-Pak relations #IndiaNEWS #International
New Delhi, April 19 | The change in government in Islamabad can become a harbinger for not just restoring civility in relations between India and Pakistan but also give a push for normalisation of ties between the two neighbours.
Unlike his predecessor Imran Khan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is neither a demagogue nor a megalomaniac who lives in an alternate reality. Quite to the contrary, Shehbaz Sharif is an experienced politician who understands the imperatives of improving relations with India.
Fortuitously, he will also have the support of the Pakistan Army in any initiative or outreach he makes towards India. For its part, India, while being cautious in engaging Pakistan, may not be averse to be willing to reciprocate to any move made by Pakistan.
While the congratulatory message of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs response was nothing out of the ordinary it is normal for two heads of government extending courtesies even this gesture is something of a change from the toxicity that defined the relations between the two countries during Imran Khans regime.
Going forward, it is to be expected that diplomatic decorum and decency, which had been thrown to the winds by the vituperative Imran Khan, will once again become the norm. This in itself would help in reducing the tensions and bitterness in the bilateral relations. More importantly, it will open the door to the possibility of some kind of engagement between the two South Asian neighbours.
There is no denying that mere change is style will not be enough to address some of the most vexing issues territorial disputes, Kashmir issue, and of course, terrorism that dog India-Pakistan relations. But the time has come for both the countries and in some ways Pakistan more than India, to distinguish between outstanding issues and existential issues that are threatening the very existence of that state.
Many countries around the world have issues with their neighbours. Sometimes these are territorial, other times ideological and political, and in some other cases economic or related to environment or water or other administrative issues. Though most countries manage these issues through dialogue they dont wage war or proxy war to force the issue. Perhaps the time has come for Pakistan to also learn from experience of other countries and while it can keep its stand on some of the outstanding issues, it should not let these poison the well of bilateral ties or make the larger relationship with India hostage to these issues.
The focus should, however, be on the existential issues, some of which are specific to Pakistan; others are common to both the South Asian neighbours.

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