In Indian media news surfaced that Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj could visit Pakistan next week to attend Hearts of Asia conference scheduled to be held on December 9. After the meeting of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Paris Summit on Climate Change, it would be pleasing step forward to improve bilateral relations if she visits Pakistan. Although meeting lasted for two minutes but it was given hours of airtime to analyze the outcome of it. Anyhow, a brief encounter is better than no meeting at all.
From last few months anti-Pakistan sentiments are on the rise in India, famous Pakistani celebrities from sports to showbiz left India amidst threats from an extremist group Shiv Sena. Yet fate of bilateral Cricket series between two neighbouring countries has to be decided by Indian government. In the past, cricket diplomacy has opened the doors of dialogue. Cricket lovers of both the countries want to watch Indo-Pakistan cricket encounters. Indian government needs to understand that after all dialogue is the only realistic means to end the hostility that has been worsened over the last year. One can not change geographic landscapes and particularly neighbours so the best way forward is to sit on negotiations table and discuss the bilateral issues. Ironically at the moment no official words from both sides either in favour or against of the visit pour in. Pressure for the visit is then reported to be on, in the hope that a small step forward can lead towards larger strides in the future, returning a key region to greater stability. If the Indian government gives nod to visit of Sushma Swaraj, it could be a vital chance for sane voices from both sides to exchange their views.
Indian government needs to understand that only dialogue is the way forward to normalize bilateral relations.
