Better Indo-Pak ties could fix PM Modi’s reputation in region, say policy experts

Islamabad, Dec 19: Policy experts in Pakistan view better Indo-Pak ties as an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fix his reputation in the region.

According to Pakistani policy experts, PM Modi enjoys positive reputation in the West. The views were shared by these experts while taking stock of recent political transformations in Indo-Pak ties, reported the Dawn online.

They were gathered at a conference chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman titled ‘The Road to 2016: Negotiating Deadlock and Diplomacy with India and Afghanistan', participants discussed Jinnah Institute's Track II diplomacy efforts for building sustained channels of bilateral and multilateral engagements and for offering alternative recommendations on regional policy issues.

They have suggested PM Modi to take this opportunity to build a better relationship with Pakistan.

‘Uninterrupted dialogue' call by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also seen as a welcome and positive change in New Delhi's approach towards bilateral engagements.
"Improved relations with Islamabad could go a long way towards fixing his reputation in the region," they said.

They also agreed to bring Kashmir issue on the discussion table and emphasised the importance of cementing the relationship against Mumbai-like incidents from derailing dialogue.

Transit trade and economic cooperation with India should not be seen as a concession to New Delhi and instead start seeing land access as valuable leverage that would increase Indian stakes in a healthy and progressive bilateral relationship with Islamabad.

OneIndia News