Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India and Pakistan have historically navigated a complex relationship marked by periods of conflict and attempts at reconciliation. Prior to the 2016 Pathankot attack, India pursued a policy of ‘composite dialogue’ with Pakistan, aiming to address all outstanding issues, including terrorism, Kashmir, and trade. This dialogue, initiated in 2004, experienced several interruptions but represented a consistent effort to engage with Pakistan. However, the Pathankot airbase attack in January 2016, perpetrated by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, proved to be a watershed moment, significantly altering the trajectory of India’s foreign policy towards its western neighbour. This answer will discuss the shift in India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan in the light of the Pathankot incident.
Pre-Pathankot: The Policy of Composite Dialogue
The ‘composite dialogue’ process, revived in 2004, aimed for a comprehensive resolution of all bilateral issues. Key features included:
- Joint Commission: Established in 1992, it served as a platform for regular discussions.
- Backchannel Diplomacy: Secret talks were held alongside official dialogues to explore potential solutions.
- Confidence Building Measures (CBMs): Focused on reducing tensions and promoting cooperation in areas like trade and cross-border travel.
Despite several attempts, the dialogue faced setbacks due to terrorist attacks originating from Pakistan, such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, India continued to engage, believing dialogue was the only viable long-term solution.
The Pathankot Attack and its Immediate Aftermath (January 2016)
The Pathankot attack, which resulted in the deaths of seven security personnel, triggered a strong response from the Indian government. The attack was widely attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Masood Azhar, operating from Pakistani soil. The immediate aftermath saw:
- Suspension of Dialogue: India immediately suspended the scheduled Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan.
- Demand for Action: India demanded concrete and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the attack and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
- Increased Diplomatic Pressure: India engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan internationally, highlighting its support for terrorism.
The Shift in India’s Foreign Policy
The Pathankot attack marked a significant shift in India’s approach towards Pakistan, moving away from unconditional engagement towards a more assertive and conditionality-based policy. This shift manifested in several ways:
1. Conditionality and Terrorism as a Precondition
India made it clear that any future dialogue with Pakistan would be contingent upon Pakistan taking demonstrable action against terrorist groups operating within its territory. Terrorism became a non-negotiable precondition for engagement.
2. Surgical Strikes (September 2016)
Following the Uri attack in September 2016, India conducted ‘surgical strikes’ across the Line of Control (LoC), targeting alleged terrorist launchpads. This was a significant departure from India’s traditional policy of restraint and signaled a willingness to use military force to deter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
3. Diplomatic Isolation Efforts
India intensified its efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, leveraging its growing strategic partnerships with countries like the United States, Russia, and Israel. This included lobbying for Pakistan’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, aimed at curbing money laundering and terrorist financing.
4. No More ‘Quiet Diplomacy’
India adopted a more public and assertive stance, openly criticizing Pakistan’s support for terrorism and highlighting its human rights violations in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. The era of ‘quiet diplomacy’ was largely abandoned.
Impact on Regional Stability and India’s Foreign Policy Objectives
The shift in India’s policy had several implications:
- Increased Tensions: Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated further, with frequent ceasefire violations along the LoC and increased rhetoric from both sides.
- Strained Regional Cooperation: The heightened tensions hampered regional cooperation initiatives, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
- Focus on Counter-Terrorism: India prioritized counter-terrorism cooperation with other countries, seeking to build a broader coalition against terrorism.
- Strengthened Strategic Partnerships: India deepened its strategic partnerships with countries that shared its concerns about terrorism and regional instability.
| Policy Phase | Key Characteristics | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Pathankot (Composite Dialogue) | Unconditional engagement, focus on all issues, backchannel diplomacy | Limited progress, frequent disruptions due to terrorist attacks |
| Post-Pathankot (Conditionality-Based) | Terrorism as a precondition, assertive diplomacy, surgical strikes, diplomatic isolation | Increased tensions, strained regional cooperation, strengthened counter-terrorism efforts |
Conclusion
The Pathankot attack undeniably served as a turning point in India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan. It led to a shift from a policy of unconditional engagement to one based on conditionality, with terrorism as the central issue. While this approach aimed to deter Pakistan from supporting terrorism, it also resulted in increased tensions and hampered regional cooperation. Moving forward, India needs to maintain a firm stance on terrorism while simultaneously exploring avenues for dialogue, albeit with clear red lines and a focus on verifiable action from Pakistan. A nuanced and pragmatic approach, balancing firmness with flexibility, will be crucial for managing this complex relationship and ensuring regional stability.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.