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OPINION NOVEMBER 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 10

Nawaz Sharif’s

Return and Prospects for

India–Pakistan Relations

Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan has occurred at a time when India–Pakistan ties are at a stalemate.
As for his statements on forging ‘good ties’ with India, it is pertinent to note that his overtures in the past while

in office or out of it did not materialise into any meaningful engagement.

PRIYANKA SINGH Pakistan’s relevance, be it in India’s national discourse or its international calculus, has clearly declined (IDSA)

awaz Sharif’s return to Paki-
stan has stirred India–Paki- 1999 and in 2018. The latter event is math of the Shanghai Cooperation idarity Day—a longstanding demand
Nstan equations. In his maiden also said to have been caused by civ- Organisation (SCO) summit in Goa. of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Sharif’s po-
speech post return, Sharif applauded il–military rift, as the ‘Dawn leaks’ This Brief argues that the India– litical ally. The Kargil hostilities of
India’s rise and vowed to “resolve suggested. However, as of today, the Pakistan engagement lacks impetus 1999 occurred during his second
Kashmir with grace” stressing the sig- Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) as it has remained extremely sub- tenure. Sharif helmed the Chagai nu-
nificance of forging “good ties” with chief “doesn’t look too bad by com- dued in the last few years. Therefore, clear tests in May 1998. In the recent
India. Sharif’s speech was introspec- parison” to the generals who “have stray political statements are unlike- homecoming speech, he proudly an-
tive describing Pakistan’s deteriorat- a habit of reviving Mr Sharif’s ca- ly to provide the needed velocity at nounced how he righteously desisted
ing security situation, an economy on reer—generally after concluding that least in short term. India–Pakistan when former US President Bill Clin-
tenterhooks, skyrocketing inflation, his successor was even worse than he ties remain entwined to the standard ton offered US$ 5 billion to deter him
among other issues. Sharif mentioned was”. ‘the more they change, the more they from parity-seeking nuclear tests.
Bangladesh’s growth trajectory, a po- Nawaz Sharif’s return has oc- remain the same’. Back in power in 2013, Nawaz
litically incorrect statement to make curred at a time when India–Paki- Nawaz Sharif’s India policy Sharif accused India of causing insta-
in Pakistan, in front of the thousands stan ties are in stalemate. Though originated amidst bilateral volatility bility in Pakistan in his 2015 speech
who attended the rally. New Delhi recently issued over 100 involving J&K’s violent turmoil in at the UN General Assembly. Sub-
Sharif’s political career graph visas to Pakistani pilgrims to attend 1989–90. India–Pakistan relations lay sequently, under his watch as Prime
as multiple times prime minister is the Nizamuddin Urs and Sikh pil- at crosscurrents when he assumed Minster, Pakistan unleashed its pro-
remarkable. His frequency to power grimage to sites in Pakistan contin- power after Benazir Bhutto’s ouster. paganda after the killing of Burhan
in an unforgiving turbulent political ues, there is hardly any interaction The bilateral atmospherics were sur- Wani, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen mil-
landscape where civilian govern- at the political level. The G-20 sum- charged after Bhutto’s “thousands itant, by Indian security forces in July
ments have shrunken turf is worth mit in Srinagar during May 2023 was years’ war” rant (devised by her fa- 2016. He hailed him as a martyr in his
taking note. Now, he is being seen as successfully held despite Pakistan’s ther Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto). With the UN speech in 2016. He was the one
the Army’s principal prop against Im- usual rancour. This was barely after military behind his back, Sharif con- to preside over the decision to cel-
ran Khan in the upcoming elections. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal tinued to adhere to the fundamental ebrate 19 July 2016 as a Black Day.
Sharif has had direct confrontations Bhutto’s out-of-context remarks on tenets of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy. Sharif was instrumental in nudging
with generals and was ousted twice Kashmir to the Indian media led to It was he who appropriated the cele- the successive Obama administra-
from power, by Pervez Musharraf in diplomatic acrimony in the after- bration of 5 February as Kashmir Sol- Continued on next page... >>

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