India’s PM Narendra Modi shocked everybody with a sudden visit to Pakistan last week The event has been historic in terms of the diplomatic relations between South Asian nations. This visit has taken place after a long time of tension between the two countries that are neighbors; it is however viewed as a first step towards restoration of order in the relations between the two nations as well as in the region as a whole.
A Breakthrough in Relations
Prime minister Modi’s visit was one that left many people with their tongues hanging down given that it only took a short while to embrace the idea. The visit of prime minister of India was done with the view to resolve the outstanding issues of India-Pakistan relations mainly related with trade, security and cooperation. Relations between both nations have been strained recently and efforts have been made by both sides to improve the bad relations witnessed recently and this visit was judged to be good step in that regard.
While in the United States, Modi held a meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss various issues such as trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism among others. That is why the leaders stressed on the non-violent concepts of their policies and on how their talks were made family to the regional cooperation.
Key Areas of Focus
Trade and Economic Cooperation: To achieve more political dialogue was one of the major goals of the visit in addition to the stabilization of the economic cooperation between the two states. Both Modi and Sharif decided to start special economic talks that would be meant for easing trade restrictions as well as FDI. This consists of features such as possible opening of major trading corridors and enabling of commerce interactions.
Security and Counter-Terrorism: Bilateral insecurity has been the major factor hindering the relations between India and Pakistan for many decades. While the visit, both leaders talked about their cooperation in fight against terrorism and improvement of the border control. They committed themselves to enhance cooperation in passing of intelligence information and fighting the menace of extremism.
Regional Stability: It also intended to turn Modi into a statesman forging a long lasting stable South Asian region. The prime ministers deliberated on strategies towards addressing the problems affecting the region such as climate change, water management and the refugee problems.
Public and Political Reactions
It has received positive response some domestic and international audience with some criticizing the visit. In India response has been positive from those who have hoped the move to enhance relations with Pakistan. Evidently, this act shows Modi’s propensity towards diplomacy and search for peaceful resolution of existing conflicts.
However, it has been subjected to criticism on the same.The negative aspect of the visit by ‘Bafana Bafana’ has also been felt. Despite this some of the opposition leaders in India have raised the alarm on the timing and nature of the visit criticizing the government for ceding to the Chinese on certain issues. In Pakistan though the visit as a whole was welcomed the following voices were heard expressing concerns and urging for critical examination of the agreements made.
The Road Ahead
Modi’s trip to Pakistan is an important diplomatic gesture; however, this is simply the first step toward what will likely be an arduous and long drawn diplomacy. Having frosty relationship for quite some time now, both countries have experienced rising and falling relations and so will take time to realize permanent peace.
Thus, the outcome of this visit and further cooperation will be determined largely with the helps of the agreements achieved and the capacity of both countries to maintain the positive and productive discourse. If managed properly, this diplomatic relations could open a new path to a more secure and developed South Asia.
Therefore, Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Pakistan can be counted as the new significant stage in the rather complex relations between both countries. This is an acknowledgment of the fact that there is need to engage each other for dialogue to the effect that there might be a change of heart as far as the future is concerned. International community will be closely watching the fruits of this visit and further actions of two governments in order to fulfill the agreements made during this epoch-making meeting.
It has received positive response some domestic and international audience with some criticizing the visit. In India response has been positive from those who have hoped the move to enhance relations with Pakistan. Evidently, this act shows Modi’s propensity towards diplomacy and search for peaceful resolution of existing conflicts.
However, it has been subjected to criticism on the same.The negative aspect of the visit by ‘Bafana Bafana’ has also been felt. Despite this some of the opposition leaders in India have raised the alarm on the timing and nature of the visit criticizing the government for ceding to the Chinese on certain issues. In Pakistan though the visit as a whole was welcomed the following voices were heard expressing concerns and urging for critical examination of the agreements made.
The Road Ahead
Modi’s trip to Pakistan is an important diplomatic gesture; however, this is simply the first step toward what will likely be an arduous and long drawn diplomacy. Having frosty relationship for quite some time now, both countries have experienced rising and falling relations and so will take time to realize permanent peace.
Thus, the outcome of this visit and further cooperation will be determined largely with the helps of the agreements achieved and the capacity of both countries to maintain the positive and productive discourse. If managed properly, this diplomatic relations could open a new path to a more secure and developed South Asia.
Therefore, Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Pakistan can be counted as the new significant stage in the rather complex relations between both countries. This is an acknowledgment of the fact that there is need to engage each other for dialogue to the effect that there might be a change of heart as far as the future is concerned. International community will be closely watching the fruits of this visit and further actions of two governments in order to fulfill the agreements made during this epoch-making meeting.
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