Context: Pakistan general elections, the PML-N and PPP are planning to negotiate a power-sharing arrangement as no clear winner has emerged.
Key Points:
- In the 2024 elections, independent candidates supported by Imran Khan’s PTI won in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly.
- No party has enough seats in the National Assembly to form a government, leading to the possibility of a coalition government.
- Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has supported Nawaz Sharif’s call for a coalition government, with Sharif aligning with the PPP.
- These election results could worsen the political crisis and impact Pakistan’s relationships with other countries, particularly India.
- The power struggle between Imran Khan and the army has intensified due to Khan’s increasing political autonomy.
- Historically, the military has had a strong influence on Pakistan’s political system.
What is the background of the relationship between India and Pakistan?
- India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, an undertaking to create relations with Pakistan through eliminating any disputes by peaceful, nonviolent ways.
- The relation between both countries was at stake after the Mumbai attacks in 2008, however, there was a ray of hopes for a better start after Pakistan’s prime minister came to 2014 PM Modi swearing-in ceremony.
- On the other hand, the later Punjab airport attack, army camp attack at Uri, and till now the ongoing attack at Pulwama further added to the varied nature of their relationship.
- Trade between India and Pakistan has had regular setbacks, as bilateral trade was banned by Pakistan in 2019 after India abolished Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
- However, we also witnessed a number of issues like tariff policies and India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status from Pakistan after the attack of Pulwama.
- The Indus water treaty, signed in 1960, and the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor in 2019 are the best developments that happened through this Indo-Pak relation.
- India accomplished the residents’ return of Indians from Pakistan in connection with the cases of missile strikes through 2014.
Why is the Pakistan election important for India?
- India will closely monitor the activities in its neighbouring country, specifically focusing on the involvement of the Pakistan Army in the selection of the next prime minister.
- This is important to India due to Pakistan’s support of terrorism, which is a concern for India’s national security.
- The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, has expressed openness towards India but has conditioned the peace process on India reversing its decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Pakistan’s growing economic dependence on China, through infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, poses a challenge to bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
- Additionally, Pakistan is facing an economic crisis with high inflation, low foreign exchange reserves, and the refusal of global lenders like the IMF to provide further funds.
- As a nuclear-armed country and India’s rival, the political landscape in Pakistan will have an impact on diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- The outcome of the election will also have significant implications for regional stability, including security cooperation, economic relations, and counterterrorism efforts.
Conclusion:
- In order to establish stability and peace in the country, it is preferable to have a government that is elected with a strong mandate.
- A coalition government, on the other hand, is unstable and in the current situation of Pakistan, it would be challenging for a coalition government to operate independently from the military’s influence.
Source: TOI
Practice Question:
Q. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India – Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples. (2015)
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