Pakistan's Former Interim PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Discusses Desire for Improved Ties with India

Pakistan's former interim Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, expressed a strong desire for improved relations with India. His remarks coincided with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Kakar highlighted that Pakistan's military, political parties, and other sectors wish to advance ties with New Delhi, yet they acknowledge the existing challenges.

Despite this desire for progress, Kakar noted there is no expectation of a significant breakthrough in bilateral relations. He responded to Indian media queries by explaining that Pakistan's establishment is wary of potential backlash from opposition parties if they propose a meeting between the foreign ministers. "If anyone in this polarised political environment concedes an inch, then there may be fall-out for that," he stated.

Historical Context and Recent Developments

The last visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan was in December 2015 when Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia conference. The relationship between the two nations has been strained since India's airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot in February 2019, following the Pulwama attack. Tensions escalated further after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019.

Pakistan responded to India's actions by downgrading diplomatic ties. India maintains its stance for normal neighbourly relations but insists that Pakistan must ensure an environment free from terror and hostility for meaningful engagement. Despite these tensions, Jaishankar's visit marks a significant diplomatic step as he leads the Indian delegation at the SCO summit.

Current Diplomatic Interactions

During his visit, Jaishankar briefly interacted with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a dinner reception for SCO delegates. This marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian foreign minister has travelled to Pakistan amid ongoing tensions over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. The brief exchange took place at Sharif's residence.

Kakar emphasised the importance of finding ways to improve ties between India and Pakistan. He also expressed satisfaction with hosting the multilateral SCO meeting, portraying Pakistan as a confident player on the international stage. Kakar served as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister from August 2023 until March this year.

The SCO summit provides a platform for dialogue among member countries, including India and Pakistan. While significant breakthroughs are not anticipated, such interactions could pave the way for future discussions. Both nations continue to navigate complex diplomatic landscapes while seeking avenues for cooperation.