Kulbhushan jadhav time for diplomatic move on islamabad

Kulbhushan jadhav time for diplomatic move on islamabad

Having secured a victory at The Hague, India now must take diplomatic action that would allow Islamabad to save face while relenting on its decision to execute Kulbhushan Jadhav. In the absence of such an Indian initiative, Pakistan is likely, following its setback at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to step up hostility towards India, emboldened as it is by China’s support on multiple fronts.
The absence of a working relationship with its western neighbour does not help India and only adds grist to active anti-India mills in Pakistan. It, therefore, makes sense to open up some lines of communication with Islamabad, even as India engages with Pakistan with the knowledge that Islamabad will continue to use terror as a “strategic weapon”. So, even as it creates the space for dialogue, New Delhi must keep up the diplomatic momentum to expose and isolate Islamabad over its violations of international conventions, its support of terror, and its disregard for national sovereignty.
In adopting an iron fist in a velvet glove policy, New Delhi should aim to make it diplomatically uncomfortable for Beijing to continue to provide Islamabad unqualified support at international forums like the United Nations Security Council or the Nuclear Suppliers Group or at multilateral funding agencies. The aim should be to make it clear to Pakistan that its interests are best served by a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship with India. Realistically, Islamabad is not likely to suddenly begin to love its neighbour to the east. But as India moves ahead on the path of economic growth, ensuring a modicum of peace in the region is in its interest. Keeping the channels of dialogue open could help both countries to ensure peace in the region. That by itself would be no small achievement.