Pakistan has consistently pursued a policy of peaceful coexistence with its South Asian neighbors, seeking to foster a stable and cooperative environment in the region. Its efforts to promote peace, improve living standards, and establish stable diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations reflect its commitment to regional harmony. However, its neighbors to the east and west, India and Afghanistan, have responded less than cooperatively and have demonstrated actions that threaten Pakistan’s national security and regional stability.
Islamabad has made repeated offers of dialogue to resolve outstanding disputes with India under its policy of peaceful coexistence. Despite these efforts, the Indian government’s stance towards Pakistan has been tough and inflexible. India has consistently linked Pakistan with cross-border terrorism and extra-territorial and extra-legal activities within Pakistan. This aggressive stance is also evident in India’s attempts to isolate Pakistan in international forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). A striking example of this hostility was seen in May last year when Pakistan’s foreign minister visited India for the first time in 13 years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The then Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar harshly described the Pakistani foreign minister as a representative of the terror industry and stressed India’s unwillingness to accommodate Pakistan. This hostility continued during India’s 18th Lok Sabha election campaign, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continuing to portray Pakistan as an enemy in an attempt to energise its voters. Such derogatory remarks by Indian leaders reflect a deep-rooted resistance to improving bilateral relations.
The slim hope that the new governments in Islamabad and New Delhi might bring new prospects for India-Pakistan relations has further faded. The repeated threats by Indian leaders to annex Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and their suggestion to exchange Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK) for Kartarpur indicate diversionary tactics. These actions suggest that even if the new government in New Delhi makes a reconciliatory offer, underlying it will probably be short-lived and have ambivalent intentions. Islamabad must therefore practice strategic patience and be cautious if New Delhi proposes dialogue, especially on the Kashmir dispute, as such offers may be deceptive. Many analysts advocate for resumption of dialogue and trade between India and Pakistan to achieve regional peace. However, India’s inclination to harm Pakistan remains strong, leaving little scope for cooperation. The situation demands that Islamabad take a firm stance with regard to India until India ceases its hostile intentions. Peaceful neighbourly relations can only be achieved through mutual constructive efforts to promote regional stability.
Pakistan also faces similar challenges from its western neighbor Afghanistan, which continues to threaten Pakistan’s national security. Pakistan has hosted over four million Afghan refugees for over four decades and has insisted on international recognition of the Taliban regime after the withdrawal of the US and NATO in August 2021, yet its efforts have been met with hostility. Pakistan, along with China, has provided Afghanistan with connectivity to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and access to the Gwadar port. However, these gestures have not been reciprocated with cooperation for regional peace and stability. Afghanistan has consistently ignored Pakistan’s contributions and instead supported terrorist organisations such as the Pakistani Taliban Movement (TTP). Despite Pakistan’s efforts to seek the Afghan government’s cooperation in addressing the rise in terrorism in Afghanistan (a promise made by the Afghan Taliban in the Doha Dialogue), the interim Taliban regime has failed to curb the offensive actions of Afghanistan-based terrorist groups. Kabul’s use of these groups as bargaining chips indicates its reluctance to cooperate with Pakistan for regional peace.
Pakistan has kept its border with Afghanistan largely open even after terrorism from Afghanistan surged in Pakistan. However, the Taliban regime’s failure to control the infiltration of terrorist groups has forced Pakistan to take strict measures, including sealing the border and deporting illegal immigrants. Afghanistan’s policies towards Pakistan have harmed its own people, with Afghan traders, patients, students and families facing great hardship due to border crossing restrictions. Pakistan has always supported these basic needs, but Afghanistan’s hostile stance only exacerbates the suffering of its people.
Pakistan has been persistent in trying to maintain cooperation with both Kabul and India, but both countries are reluctant to cooperate with Pakistan. Their actions are aimed at destabilizing Pakistan through various means, including funding, supporting and training their proxies to carry out terrorist activities inside Pakistan. These hostile actions require Islamabad to take a stern and decisive response against any country that seeks to harm it.
Pakistan should be open to cooperation in the areas of socio-economic development and regional connectivity among East, West and Central Asia, but it must not overlook or tolerate malign attempts to destabilize the country, either domestically or internationally. The unfavorable conditions created by its neighbours are detrimental to Pakistan’s internal peace and regional stability. Islamabad must clearly communicate its intention to protect itself against traditional and non-traditional security threats posed by these countries and their proxies. Moreover, Islamabad must ensure a swift, measured and effective response to any country that seeks to harm or destabilize Pakistan. Building peaceful neighbourhood relations requires joint efforts and sincere intentions not only by Pakistan but by all regional players. Ensuring regional peace is not Pakistan’s responsibility alone but requires a cooperative approach by all South Asian countries.
In conclusion, it is clear that Pakistan is committed to regional peace and cooperation, but the persistent hostility from neighbouring countries requires a firm and strategic approach. Only through mutual respect and constructive efforts can peace and stability in the South Asian region be achieved.
