Editorial 1 : A Kind of Hope
Context: India-Pakistan meet on sidelines of SCO.
S Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan
- There are chances that Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, may lead to a thaw in relations.
- The approach during this visit of Pakistan’s establishment was characterised by warmth and courtesy.
- This stands in stark contrast to the more abrasive actions seen at previous engagements, suggesting a potential shift in Islamabad’s diplomatic stance.
- Jaishankar conducted himself with the grace and dignity required in the circumstances in Islamabad without diluting India’s positions on key issues.
Situation in Pakistan
- Internal Turmoil: Pakistan has been grappling with internal turmoil.
- The country is facing substantial political instability, economic challenges, sectarian violence and a growing wave of public discontent against army repression.
- Pakistani Government, and Pakistan’s armed forces, are under pressure to stabilise the situation, making it perhaps imperative for Pakistan to reassess its foreign policy, particularly towards India.
Bhutto’s visit vs Jaishankar’s visit
- There was a notable difference in behaviour of Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad and abrasive behaviour by Pakistan’s former foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, at the SCO meeting in Goa last year.
- Bhutto’s attitude showcased a more traditional approach to diplomacy that has characterised Pakistan’s stance, particularly since 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K.
- Jaishankar’s visit was marked by an effort to reach out by the hosts, including engaging in private conversations and a lack of resentment, indicating a potential departure from a purely adversarial posture.
- The warmth shown towards Jaishankar suggests that there may be a growing recognition within the Pakistani leadership that a more balanced approach could be beneficial.
Factors Influencing Pakistan’s Stance
- Deep turmoil within Pakistan.
- The internal situation has been tumultuous, with rising inflation, economic instability and political unrest.
- These challenges may finally prompt the need for the government to focus on stabilising the country rather than engaging in confrontational politics with India.
- Inherent pragmatism of the Sharifs.
- The current government under Shehbaz Sharif, under the mentorship of former PM Nawaz Sharif, appears to be adopting a more pragmatic approach to governance.
- Rather than relying on populist rhetoric, there is a growing acknowledgment among Pakistani leaders that engagement with India could yield economic benefits and contribute to regional stability.
- India’s rise on the global stage.
- As India continues to assert itself as a regional and global power, Pakistan may be recalibrating its approach.
- With India’s growing economy and strategic partnerships, there is a realisation that fostering a cooperative relationship could offer more advantages than maintaining a hostile stance.
Way Forward: India’s Policy towards Pakistan
- India’s policy towards Pakistan has historically been influenced by three key actors: Realists, liberal institutionalists and constructivists.
- Realists, known as Subedars, have largely shaped the discourse during the Modi years, advocating for a hardline stance focused on national security.
- However, recent developments suggest it may be time to incorporate liberal and constructivist perspectives into the dialogue.
- Liberal Institutionalists, or Saudagars emphasise the potential for trade, economic ties, and people-to-people connections as avenues for peace.
- Constructivists, or Sufis, advocate for dialogue, cultural exchanges, and reconciliation, stressing the importance of addressing historical grievances and building trust.
- Incorporating these perspectives into India’s Pakistan policy could facilitate a more balanced approach that acknowledges security concerns while exploring avenues for cooperation.
- Incremental moves, such as confidence-building measures, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges, could create a more conducive atmosphere for change within Pakistan.
- It is essential to remain vigilant, while closely watching developments in Pakistan and perhaps taking measures to shape them in a manner that benefits the entire region.
Editorial 2 : About Fraternity
Context: SC verdict on Section 6A shifts citizenship debate to a broader ground.
The Supreme Court Verdict
- Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act through a 4-1 verdict.
- By this verdict the court answered the question of who is a foreigner in Assam.
- The verdict takes a liberal and expansive view of citizenship.
Assam Accord
- The 1985 agreement between the Rajiv Gandhi government at the Centre and the All Assam Students’ Union tried to arrive at a resolution by setting a cut-off date for citizenship.
- Section 6 A of the Citizenship Act that was inserted in the statute books after the agreement allows foreign migrants of Indian origin, who came to Assam after January 1, 1966 but before March 25, 1971, to seek Indian citizenship.
Case Against Section 6A
- Section 6A was contested on the grounds that it violates constitutional provisions on citizenship and goes against the Right to Equality by setting a different yardstick for Assam compared to the rest of the country.
- The petitioners alleged that by allowing migration, the clause hurts the ability of Assam’s indigenous communities to protect their culture, thereby, violating Article 29 of the Constitution.
- The petitioners argued that the Constitution upholds national fraternity, not global fraternity.
- In its response Justice Surya Kant goes into Constitutional Assembly debates to arrive at a broader view of this principle that, in the Indian constitutional context, fraternity assumes an inclusive role, aligning with the broader goals of social justice
Cut-off Date: 25 March 1971
- Supreme Court endorsed the cut-off date. It held the March 25, 1971 cut-off rational on two grounds.
- The Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983 sets this cut off.
- Pakistani Army launched Operation Search Light to curb the nationalist movement in East Pakistan on this day.
- The migrants before the operation searchlight were considered to be migrants of Partition towards which India had a liberal policy.
Way Forward
- The Court’s dynamic reading of citizenship that is sensitive to the imperatives of equality and upliftment is significant.
- The expansive view of the court on citizenship should resonate in the discussions of the future regarding petitions on the issues like fate of people who migrated to Assam after 1971.