In this article C – Raja Mohan discusses the challenges and complexities surrounding the potential for improved relations between Pakistan and India under the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif New Prime Minister of Pakistan.( Source – Business standard )

He highlighted several reasons. Let me explain to you

1. Bilateral Engagements: C – Raja Mohan Suggests that bilateral engagements between two Countries are not important or we can say priority for either country due to high cost and low rewards. High cost and low reward mean resources, efforts, and political capital that both countries should invest to pursue good relations. High costs can include diplomatic efforts, negotiations, security measures, and domestic political challenges. For Pakistan, the costs are especially high because of its weaker economy and instability or you can say weaker government and internal challenges that make it tough to invest or allocate resources to build relationships with India.
2. Modi’s Approach: C – Raja Mohan pen down that under Prime Minister Modi, Pakistan has dropped down on India’s list of foreign policy priorities. Modi Government has shown the world that India can manage without engaging with Pakistan and it also moved away from previous terms of engagement established in the 1990s. He means India, is in a relatively stronger position if you compare it with Pakistan, This means India can afford to continue with its current policy of limited engagement with Pakistan or no engagement even.
3. Pakistan’s Position: Pakistan continues to emphasize India, but sets a precondition for engagement, especially regarding the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. C – Raja Mohan argues that Pakistan’s insistence on reversing the 2019 changes in Kashmir is unrealistic and creates tension in dialogue.
4. Challenges for Shehbaz Sharif: Indeed Shehbaz Sharif’s focused talk for improving ties with India, C Raja Mohan doubts his ability to move forward with India due to internal political challenges in Pakistan and ongoing his focus on Kashmir. There are power struggles and the divisions between sharif party and former Imran khan’s party. This internal conflict can distract the sharif’s ability.
5. Internal Reforms: Right now Shehbaz Sharif is focused on economic reforms in Pakistan, C Raja Mohan says they need to make serious changes to how things work to get rid of debt and make Pakistan stand on its own. But it’s not going to be easy because of a lack of support from its people. He also discussed the challenge posed by opposition parties and how the military’s role in Pakistan politics can hinder economic reforms.
6. Economic Disparity: He Highlights the significant economic gap between India and Pakistan, As India’s GDP is 10 times larger than Pakistan’s. Because of this Pakistan faces a tough challenge in dealing with India.
7. Geo strategic Dynamics: He discussed Pakistan has friendship with China and the United States. But sometimes these countries do not get along. For example, China and USA might not be friends with each other but both are friends with Pakistan, Pakistan also has friends in the Gulf region, like Saudi Arabia and UAE. But now these countries are becoming close friends with India too. For a long time, Pakistan was trying to control what happens in Afghanistan but now things changed. The US left Afghanistan and the Taliban took over the Power. This means Pakistan’s plan for Afghanistan did not work. In Nutshell Pakistan’s power with other countries is shifting and it’s facing challenges in its region.

C – Raja Mohan argues that despite the changes in leadership in Pakistan, the prospects for significant improvement in India-Pakistan relations remain uncertain due to various internal and external factors affecting both countries.

Question

” Explain how internal politics and economic reforms in Pakistan influence its relations with India. How do changing alliances and geopolitical dynamics add complexity to this relationship? Discuss potential strategies for India to manage these challenges diplomatically”?