In a highly unexpected yet positive move Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pakistan on Christmas day. The 150-minute long stopover of the Indian Prime Minister everyone by surprise as there was not even a remote hint from either India or Pakistan that the Indian Prime Minister will visit Pakistan. The visit was on such a short notice that even the Prime Minister’s national security adviser could not make the journey from Islamabad in time. Modi’s brief visit of Pakistan was the first by an Indian premier in almost 11 years. The meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Modi is indeed a positive step for the region. However, there are few things of key importance with regards to Modi’s visit that raises questions with respect to India’s aims. Since coming into power the Indian Prime Minister has sent mixed signals with regards to dialogue with Pakistan. Modi surprised many when he invited Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony, but just three months later the Indian Government abruptly halted the tentative engagement by canceling high-level talks over Pakistani diplomats’ meeting with Kashmiri leadership. Modi during his visit to Bangladesh few months ago launched a scathing attack on Pakistan by claiming that Pakistan is promoting terrorism in India. There has also been a visible increase in anti-Pakistan act within India since Modi assumed power. India’s reluctance to play cricket series with Pakistan is just another example of Indian Government’s behavior towards Pakistan. Modi’s Lahore also came just hours after he inaugurated the parliament building in Kabul, which was built by India. During his address to the Afghan parliament Modi without naming Pakistan accused it of promoting terrorism by saying, ‘Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border.’
India, in recent months has adopted a policy of passive-aggressive engagement with Pakistan.
