Shut the door on Pakistan

It is still undecided whether India will accept Pakistan's invitation to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Islamabad on October 15 and 16. India’s perennially volatile relationship with Pakistan got severely strained following the horrific terrorist attacks in Pathankot and Uri.

A diplomatic detente is impossible since Pakistan views India with resentment and is still vying for a chance to subdue the neighbouring nation with further terrorist infiltrations. Considering all this, it evokes no surprise about India’s ambiguous stance in the invitation to the Shanghai Cooperation Summit to be held in October. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Islamabad amidst the ongoing Pakistani terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir would only generate more ire within the Indian right-wing and would do little to create an amicable relationship with the neighbouring country.

Hitherto, Modi’s government has taken an approach of no negotiations with Pakistan, unless they end their espousal of terrorist attacks in Kashmir. It is for this reason that India has not participated in any high-level international conference held in Pakistan since 2016. According to the Department of External Affairs, no decision has been taken yet whether India will participate in the October Islamabad conference or not.

Despite many efforts for peace, Pakistan continues their criminal act of terrorist infiltration along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir. Amidst the political rigmarole and chaos, ruling elites in Pakistan share one common opinion which has stood the test of time and remains unaltered — the rabid hate for anything Indian.

Countries including China are known for abetting Pakistan financially, shrewdly enough to keep burning the anti-Indian stance as much as possible. The contract criteria for the remaining part of the Karakoram Highway construction was changed and awarded to China last day. This is a two-billion-dollar deal.

China's strategy is to help not only Pakistan but also other neighbouring countries that pose a threat to India’s rising dominance. The construction of the new road is necessary because parts of the Karakoram Highway will go underwater when the new dam is completed.

Despite repeated defeats, Pakistan is not ready to give up its hostility or establish an atmosphere of friendship. After a small period of tranquillity, the valley of Kashmir is yet again seeing the rise of terror attacks. Both India and Pakistan are dedicating billions from the budget to acquire defensive heavyweights into their arsenal. It may seem prudent considering the hostile relationships but the money should have been used for the people rather than strengthening the defensive armaments.

Even if the most prudent leader assumes power in Pakistan, it would be a waste of time to hope that the nation would leave behind its hate for India. The Anti-Indian nous is in their very existence. The only prudent option for Indians would be to keep on showing the door to the neighbours.