THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 09 August 2019 (Knee-jerk: On Pakistan expelling Indian envoy (The Hindu))

Knee-jerk: On Pakistan expelling Indian envoy (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: International Relations
Prelims level: India-Pakistan relations
Mains level: Post aftermath effect on withdrawing article 370

Context

• Pakistan’s decision to expel India’s High Commissioner, snap trade relations and observes August 15 as a black day in supposed solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a serious setback for diplomatic relations.
• The announcements appear to be a knee-jerk reaction to the mounting pressures on the Pakistani establishment to respond to India’s executive-legislative actions that whittle down Article 370.

Effects on Pakistan of withdrawing Article 370

• India’s actions in its own territory are reflective of muddled confusion.
• This is the first time Islamabad has articulated that Article 370 was aligned with the interests of the Kashmiri people.
• Every Pakistani government and the country’s permanent establishment have continued to peddle the myth that they could unilaterally alter the status quo in J&K.
• Now, they feel compelled to respond to the expectations that they have themselves raised in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
• Sections of Indian civil society have legitimate concerns about the actions of the BJP Government in emptying out Article 370 and the continuing lockdown of the Valley, but this does not license Pakistan to interfere in what the MEA correctly described on Thursday as India’s internal matter.

Key diplomacy policies followed by India

• India can expect Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations, mobilise the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and send envoys to friendly capitals.
• India is well placed to deal with Pakistan on the diplomatic front given the changed international context.
• India’s economic clout has grown enormously in the last couple of decades, and given doubts in the Western world about Pakistan’s overt and covert support to Islamist terror, New Delhi has the space to deal with Islamabad’s efforts to “internationalise” the Kashmir issue.
• Downgrading diplomatic relations between troubled neighbours is never a good idea.
• Neither is snapping trade and transport links.
• India withdrew its High Commissioner to Pakistan after the 2001 Parliament attack, but chose not to send back the Pakistani envoy at the time.
• Pakistani High Commissioner was expelled by India after the Kaluchak terror strike in 2002.

Conclusion

• It’s interesting to note that despite all the troubles the two countries have had, High Commissioners have been able to return to their jobs since full diplomatic relations were restored in 1976.
• In fact, even after the 2001 Parliament attack, India and Pakistan managed to have their High Commissioners back in place by March 2003.
• Diplomacy is a mechanism to ensure that channels of communication remain open.
• While India and Pakistan have used back channels in recent years, the presence of seasoned diplomats in Delhi and Islamabad has always benefited the two countries. Pakistan needs to comprehend this.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Global Childhood Report, consider the following statements:
1. It is released by the UNESCO.
2. Globally, there has been progress on every End of Childhood Index indicator but one – children suffering due to conflict.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. All the above
D. None

Answer: B
Mains Questions:
Q.1) What are the aftermath effects to downgrade diplomatic ties with India affecting Pakistan? Critically explain.