India Misses Critical Outreach Opportunity in Pakistan

India is geographically and historically endowed with a natural leadership role in South Asia. In practice exercise of this leadership has been problematic on two fronts. First, the neighboring South Asian states perceive (I am not going into issues of validity here) India as harboring hegemonic ambitions designed to convert South Asia into an exclusive zone of influence. Second, India’s leadership style does not conform to the traditional patterns of leadership. Indian policies reflect a supervisory leadership role rather than a more favorable participatory leadership character. Initiative which defines leadership is evaded by India in most cases. Avoidance of initiative is justified on grounds of countering fears of domination and cultivating trust in regional relations.

[Photo Courtesy: New Atlanticist Blog]
The psychological fear of the smaller neighbors and the cautionary leadership of India have valid justifications. Each side claims to have been caught in a conspiracy of geography and history. Nevertheless, such regional policies are proving self-destructive. There needs to be a conscious effort at altering the traditional postures and policies. Perception change is a time consuming process and requires proactive policies with regard to impacting sensitivities of nation states. Such policies have to go beyond the realm of political agreements and economic concessions. Since India claims regional leadership it is imperative for Indian diplomacy to undertake public outreach across state borders in South Asia. Humanitarian assistance after the tsunami to Sri Lanka and earthquake to Pakistan in 2005 are some outreach efforts undertaken by India. The recent terror attacks in Pakistan provide India with a similar opportunity; one which can also send a strong political message to the international community.

The continuing spate of terror strikes on Pakistani people can be viewed as either the failure of political leadership or backfiring of the alleged military-militant nexus or a humanitarian problem. India has concentrated on the first two aspects, completely overlooking the third dimension. Pakistan is expected to raise objections against India with greater vigor during such difficult times; it is the traditional diversionary tactic. The government of Pakistan needs to make anti-India statements to divert media and public attention away from domestic challenges. It is not necessary for India to respond to such statements. Political and diplomatic functionaries in India ranging from the Prime Minister to the Foreign Secretary have responded to each terror strike in Pakistan with either forceful demands of acting against terror networks or expressing concerns over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. I have not come across a speech from the Indian side expressing condolences to or sympathizing with the victims of terror attacks in Pakistan.
The Government of India has failed to realize that terror strikes in Pakistan, though unfortunate, can be utilized to reach out to the people of Pakistan. Large numbers of people have been displaced following the military operation in Swat and South Waziristan. India can offer humanitarian assistance in the form of food and medical aid to the IDPs. India can contribute towards the maintenance of numerous refugee camps across Pakistan. Medical supplies can also be provided for treating the people injured in the terror strikes. Education continues to remain a primary challenge in Pakistan and India can help by providing aid to build schools and provide books to the students. The infrastructure in tribal and urban centers of Pakistan has been hit hard by the terror strikes and the counter-terrorism operations. Technical and financial assistance by India can help Pakistan re-build infrastructure like roads, market places and public utilities.
India’s current attitude of viewing and projecting these terror strikes as a payback for the Pakistani government and military’s support to terrorism in India is not smart diplomacy. There is nothing much that India can gain through such an approach. Undoubtedly, India will have to pressure the government of Pakistan to act against terrorists but loss of innocent civilian lives cannot be used as a framework for such communication. Statement by statement refutation of anti-India comments by Pakistan is completely unnecessary. India does not have to replicate the approach adopted by Pakistan in bilateral relations. Moreover, it is imperative for India to realize that spread of terrorism does not identify geographical borders. Each terror strike in Pakistan brings India one step closer to a looming threat. India has always complained about the instability in Pakistan, now is the opportunity to make a potential contribution for countering this instability.Â
India can use the current opportunity to re-define the bilateral narrative in true leadership style. There is every possibility that the diplomatic bickering from the Pakistani will continue even if India adopts a more understanding posture.  The aim here, however, is not to arrive at a political understanding with the Government of Pakistan but to make an impression on the people of Pakistan. India can display its soft power and smart diplomacy by condemning the terror attacks in Pakistan and offering humanitarian assistance.