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Pakistan's Foreign Policy with India

2008 to todate

SUBMITTED BY: INZAMAM UL HAQ

ROLL NO: (--------)
SUPERVISOR: HAFIZ KHURAM SHEHZAD

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCES

MS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF SKT (USKT)
SESSION 2023-2025
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PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN POLICY WITH INDIA SINCE 1977 TO 1999

1. Abstract. Pakistan’s geostrategic compulsions have made it necessary to align with a

regional bloc during the beginning of Cold war alignment which coincided with independence of
Pakistan. As a nascent state determined to carve its niche in global politics, Pakistan has always
strived to balance India’s hegemonic designs in the region along with remaining a relevant part
of the Islamic states’ bloc. Thus, Pakistan has remained a relevant part of the U.S. aligned group
since independence. Moreover, due to geopolitical location and a volatile neighbourhood,
Pakistan’s foreign policy orientation has remained security-driven. This paper deals with
Pakistan’s foreign policy compulsions while sketching the basic contours of foreign policy during
the tenure of Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz governments. Though
the linchpin has always remained his focus on overseas powers, which may assist Pakistan in its
dire needs, the policy of not expanding diplomatic outreach to neighbouring countries has
always remained in the weak position. Nevertheless, the changing international environment
has resulted in changing objectives and goals of Pacific powers which in turn has raised the
need for Pakistan to realign its foreign policy to suit its national interest. Moreover, there is a
greater need for Pakistan to expand its diplomatic outreach to align its policy according to the
changing international world.

Introduction. Pakistan's foreign policies after 2008 have navigated a complex and
multifaceted global landscape, characterized by a blend of diplomatic overtures,
regional tensions, and strategic considerations. As the nation sought to position itself on
the international stage, its foreign policy endeavors were influenced by a range of
factors, including regional security dynamics, economic interests, counterterrorism
efforts, and aspirations for stability and development. Against this backdrop, Pakistan's
engagement with various nations and international organizations showcased a mix of
cooperative engagements, diplomatic challenges, and persistent efforts to address
regional issues. This period witnessed a nuanced interplay of interests as Pakistan
endeavored to balance its alliances, manage its geopolitical environment, and seek
avenues for sustainable progress on both regional and global fronts.
Foreign Policy Objectives
In light of the guiding principles laid down by the founding fathers and the constitution as also
aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the objectives of foreign policy can be summarized as
under:

1. Promotion of Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and democratic Islamic

country.
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2. Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially major powers
and immediate neighbours.
3. Safeguarding national security and geo-strategic interests, including Kashmir.
4. Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with international community.
5. Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.
6. Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and international
cooperation.

Sequence
a. Guidelines
b. Policies
c. Analysis
d. Recommendations
e. Conclusion
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Guiding Principles
The Foreign Ministry contributes towards safeguarding Pakistan’s security and advancing
Pakistan’s development agenda for progress and prosperity following the guiding principles laid
out by our founding fathers. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan
and its first Governor General, in a broadcast talk to the people of the USA in February 1948,
outlined the following goals of Pakistan’s foreign policy:“Our foreign policy is one of
friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the world. We do not cherish aggressive
designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in
national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the
promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be
found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed
peoples of the world, and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
The Constitution of Pakistan also lays down guidelines for the conduct of foreign policy of the
country.

Article 40 of the constitution provides that: “The State shall endeavour to preserve and
strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the
common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace
and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the
settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.”

The foreign policy of Pakistan is primarily directed to the pursuit of national goals of seeking
peace and stability through international cooperation. Special emphasis is laid on economic
diplomacy to take advantages offered by the process of globalization as also to face challenges
of the 21st century. Our foreign policy is also geared to project the image of the country as a
dynamic and moderate society.

The foreign policy of Pakistan seeks to promote the internationally recognized norms of
interstate relations, i.e. respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, non-
interference in the internal affairs of other State; non-aggression and peaceful settlement of
disputes. Pakistan has therefore always sought to develop friendly and cordial relations with all
countries of the world.

PPP Government (2008 – 2013)

While PPP’s ascension to the power corridors, in the aftermath of ousting of President
Musharraf and the fateful demise of Benazir Bhutto remains a distinct history, on the policy
front, Gilani led (and Asif Zardari backed) PPP government mainly focused on improving
relations with USA, Iran and China. Absence of a clear direction apart, PPP government leaned
towards Iran, supported P5+1 Iran nuclear rapprochement. Besides, some of the glorying
events fetching laurels the tenure of PPP for five years was almost failing which not only took
the country on poor administrative standings rather it also had a financially disordered set up
(The Express Tribune, 2014).
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The tenure of a democratic government which was labelled as the first full-term was in reality
full of challenges on the issues of national interest leading to a weak foreign policy due to
disinterested leadership. The tenure of this government witnessed a tale of mismanagements
along with negligence on the part of national stance.
The PPP government, along with the weak partners had fully vowed to extend the full hand of
its support for the army to eradicate the miscreants-/terrorists following which the terrorist’s
nefarious designs were exterminated largely and peace prevailed. The operation in Swat was a
successful strategy where it was practically demonstrated that how military and civilian political
alike untidily abolished the terrorists along with their nefarious agenda; restoring peace and
order in the agency smoothly (Choudhury, 1974).
PML-N Government (2013 – 2018)

The rampant corruption and conspiracies ridden PPP rule itself gave way to a relatively easier
transfer of power to PML-N with PTI as emerging national party. During the tumultuous tenure
of PML-N government, significant policy shifts were observed taking place, as Pakistan scraped
the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline deal with Iran, warmed-up relations with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
by sending a former Pakistan Army Chief to Command the Saudi led-36 nations anti- Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria coalition and warming up relations with the US, despite the absence of
strategic convergences. Pakistan also tried to mend its broken relations with Afghanistan and
India and certain peace initiatives were undertaken to restore trust and build confidence. CPEC
came out to be a vibrant venture between both the states superimposing bilateral relations into
excellent bondage (Rubab, 2018). Similarly, the ties with Russia were reinforced alongside
China. Pakistan’s initiative for the first time was an outstanding one getting an equal and
matching response from the Russian counterparts.

PTI Government (2018 – 2022)

External Dimension At a minimum level Pakistan’s core national interests can be identified as: 
Territorial integrity & sovereignty.  Socio-economic development.  The resolution of the Kashmir
dispute  Protection of our citizens wherever they may happen to be. Keeping the above in mind, PTI’s
external policy will constitute the following: Structural reforms Update and expand institutional
structure: Over the years the delivery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has deteriorated as its
institutional structure has failed to keep pace with the demands of the changing global environment.
Four institutional prerequisites will be put in place in order to enable MOFA to deal with the new
external environment and policies more effectively in terms of successful foreign policy
operationalisation. One: A more robust, proactive and specialised Foreign Service, more expansive in
numbers and more efficient, with more specialised qualifications – as part of the overall civil service
reforms. Our MOFA must be focused on furthering not just Pakistan’s interests abroad but also ensuring
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protection of our citizens abroad. In this context a major priority of PTI will be to ensure rapid and
responsive consular services to our citizens abroad especially those in jails in foreign countries. Two: A
major vacuum, which has resulted in a serious disadvantage in the conduct of our foreign policy, has
been the lack of a proper International Law section within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). We
envisage playing a major role in multilateral forums at a time when international law, through expanding
treaty and UNSC resolutions’ frameworks, is becoming central not only to multilateral diplomacy but also
bilateral relations. Three: A more centralised and coordinated organisational framework for effective
diplomacy requires all aspects of diplomatic activity especially in our Missions, such as press, to come
under the purview of the MOFA and the Envoys in our Missions. Hence External Publicity, which was
initially part of the MOFA, should directly coordinate with and eventually be re-linked with the same
Ministry. Four: Establish a policy coordination cell within the PM office to coordinate inputs from key
national stakeholders and Ministries into the foreign policy, for informed decision-making. External
policy cannot run on parallel official tracks.

SUCCESSES OF THE PPP GOVERNMENT

Some of the major success stories of PPP government are enumerated as; continuation of
functional Pak-US bilateral relations at least through halfway (till Osama Bin Laden incident)
mainly driven by US support in the shape of US$ 7.5 billion Kerry-Lugar-Burman Bill and
reciprocal support by Pakistan through kinetic operations namely Rah-e-Rast in Swat and Bajour
region and Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan agency of FATA (Ahmed, 2018). Formal award of the
multi-billion dollars contract for construction and operationalization of Gwadar Port to China
was witnessed, in the pretext of what later became as the CPEC project. The official
inauguration of the construction work of $7.5 billion worth Iran Pakistan Gas Pipeline (IPGPL)
from Iran to Pakistan is yet another achievement (Ezdi, n.d.). The project was inaugurated
despite strong opposition by US and threats of economic sanctions. Diplomatic outreach
towards Russia and China was witnessed in a bid to explore avenues of cooperation, sensing
future departing alliance with the USA and West (The Economic Times, 2015).

SUCCESSES OF PML-N GOVERNMENT

Some of the major successes of PML-N government can be cumulatively described as;
restoration of severed Pakistan-USA bilateral relations till the departure of US President Barack
Obama, initial stability in the economic realm, with proactive diplomacy with the Arab
countries, resulting in hefty aids, initiation of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radd-ul-
Fasad, therein successfully eradicating organized presence of terrorists from Pakistan’s soil and
receiving global acknowledgement for the contributions, sacrifices and immense losses in global
war against terrorism.
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Formalizing the CPEC, which has been called a “game-changer” or a ‘fate changer’, the multi-
billion dollars Chinese investment is likely to boost Pakistan’s economy significantly to
withstand the global economic competitiveness. Successful management of Pakistan-USA
relations after President Trump’s election, where Pakistan did not succumb to US coercion and
stayed firm on its position regarding Pakistan’s sincerity in fighting terrorism and not supporting
it. Diversification of foreign policy was another milestone. Having its faith shaken by US’
disinterestedness, Pakistan rightly outreached towards Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, KSA and
other like-minded states to avoid international diplomatic isolation, pressurize the USA and
expanded its options in geo-strategic domains (Baldauf & Tohid 2003).

SUCCESSES OF PML-N GOVERNMENT

he Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power in Pakistan after winning the general elections
in 2018. Since then, the party has made several attempts to shape its foreign policy towards
India. However, the success of PTI's foreign policy initiatives regarding India after 2008 is subject
to interpretation, as there have been both positive and challenging aspects of their approach.
Here's an overview:

1. Kartarpur Corridor: One of the notable successes was the opening of the Kartarpur
Corridor in November 2019. This initiative was aimed at facilitating Sikh pilgrims from
India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan without requiring a visa. It
was seen as a positive step towards enhancing people-to-people contacts and religious
tourism.
2. Easing Tensions: In the initial phase of its government, PTI expressed a desire for
improved relations with India. There were some efforts to ease tensions along the Line
of Control (LoC) through ceasefire agreements, resulting in reduced cross-border firing
incidents.
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FAILURES OF THE PPP GOVERNMENT

Some of the major failure stories of PPP government are enumerated as: Al Qaeda leader
Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces in Abbottabad, ending a nearly 10-year worldwide
hunt for the mastermind of the September 11 attacks, while bringing immense global
embarrassment for the country. The notorious Memogate Scandal, wherein Mansoor Ijaz,
implicated Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, as the courier of a memo
allegedly delivered by political government to US Army chief post OBL raid, asking him to assist
the government in the face of a probably military coup in the state. Other incidents such as
Raymond Davis, US contractor’s episode and US/NATO fighters martyring 25 Pakistani law
enforcement agencies’ personnel in airstrikes on two Pakistani posts in Salala region of
Mohmand further deteriorated Pak-US relations. The strikes were followed by tensions
between both the countries and Pakistan blocked the ground lines of communication of US/
NATO in Afghanistan as a response measure. The Government obtained a record amount of soft
and hard loans from local/foreign banks and financial institutions, while the overall external and
internal loans of the country doubled during the rule of PPP.

FAILURES OF THE PML-N GOVERNMENT

Some of the major failures of PML-N govt. can be summarized as - deteriorating civil-military
relationship, mainly over PML-N government’s overarching paranoia of the past and pro-India
overtures (The Express Tribune, 2014). The divide played negatively as Pakistan’s image as a
progressive democratic state received blows. Managing Pak-Afghan relations remained a
lacking area, where India remained successful in using Afghanistan against Pakistan by running
several lethal proxies. However, Pakistan could not effectively counter or project it
internationally. Grey-listing of Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force forum is widely seen
as another foreign policy failure by the departing government, where despite last moment
efforts, the country could not prevent getting downgraded and betrayed even by the closest
friends. Any unstable situation in Afghanistan in reciprocity has a disturbing effect in the sphere
of economic, societal as well as political dimensions in Pakistan (Rais, 1994).
Pakistan on different forums like the Geneva Accord have always supported for peace in
Afghanistan. Similarly, Pakistan has also urged for peaceful settlement of the Arab conflict with
Israel as well as Yemen’s crises to be resolved through talks/ negotiations and also hasn’t
become part of it (The Nation, 2015).

FAILURES OF THE PTI GOVERNMENT

Challenges and Criticisms:

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1. Inconsistent Approach: The PTI government faced criticism for adopting an

inconsistent approach towards India. While there were attempts at diplomatic
engagement, moments of tension—such as the Pulwama attack in February 2019 and
subsequent airstrikes—created challenges for sustained dialogue.
2. Kashmir Issue: The longstanding Kashmir issue remained a contentious point between
the two countries. The PTI government's handling of the issue, especially in the
aftermath of India's decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, received
mixed reactions domestically and internationally.
3. Limited Progress on Comprehensive Dialogue: Despite initial efforts to engage in
comprehensive dialogue, progress has been limited. The dialogue process between the
two countries faced roadblocks, and key issues like terrorism, cross-border infiltration,
and Kashmir remained unresolved.
4. Global Dynamics: International pressures and geopolitical considerations, including
Pakistan's relations with other countries like China and the United States, influenced the
PTI government's foreign policy decisions towards India

In conclusion, the success of PTI's foreign policy towards India after 2008 can be viewed as a mix
of positive initiatives, such as the Kartarpur Corridor, and challenges stemming from historical
conflicts, regional dynamics, and domestic political factors. The relationship between Pakistan
and India remains complex, and the success of any foreign policy approach in this context is
influenced by numerous factors beyond the control of any single political party
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ANALYSIS OF PPP TENURE

In PPP tenure, the overall impression of Pakistan’s Foreign policy was not a total departure
from the conventional principles. The World continued to witness Pakistan’s support for the
Kashmir cause, albeit with decreased emphasis, Palestine issue and other war-torn countries
including Afghanistan. Indo-Pak relations went a downward trajectory, mainly due to Modi-led
Bharatiya Janata Party government, with its anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan policies, coming into
power in India. Pak-Afghan relations also worsened as India carved space in Afghanistan and
joined hands with the US in a bid to shoulder greater role in Indian Ocean region as part of ‘USA
Asia-pacific rebalance policy’. In the aftermath of the incidents of 2011, a significant dent was
observed in Pak-US relations as both sides suspended strategic dialogue indefinitely. This
compelled the policymakers to look east and North-eastwards.

ANALYSIS OF PML-N TENURE

Notwithstanding the domestic difficulties faced by the PML-N government in completing its
tenure, in the foreign policy domain, the political party performed comparatively better than
PPP. The government remained flexible in their approach towards the states. It was vigilant in
safeguarding its national interests and it had the realization that the time to shift and manage
alliances was around the corner. Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy, (though viewed as a failure) was
not a disaster. Pakistan facilitated multiple peace and reconciliation tracks and worked in
tandem with the international community for peace and stability (Mahmood, 1997). It only
lacked in managing the anti-Pakistan lobby which projected Pakistan as a double player in
Afghanistan. Many analysts today opine that probably, for the first time, Pakistan is standing at
the right side of history.

ANALYSIS OF PTI TENURE

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,
assumed power in Pakistan after the 2018 general elections. The party's approach to
foreign policy towards India after 2008 has been marked by a mix of aspirations for
peace, pragmatic engagements, and challenges posed by historical issues and regional
dynamics. Here's an analysis of PTI's foreign policy towards India during its government:

1. Peaceful Intentions and Diplomatic Engagement:

 PTI's government expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and improve relations

with India. Imran Khan, even before becoming Prime Minister, had advocated for
dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.
 PTI's offer of cooperation and dialogue was aimed at de-escalating tensions and
addressing long-standing issues, particularly Kashmir.
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2. Kartarpur Corridor:

 One of PTI's notable achievements was the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in
November 2019. This initiative was a positive step towards promoting religious tourism
and fostering people-to-people contacts between India and Pakistan.

3. Inconsistent Approach:

 While PTI's intentions for peaceful relations were evident, the approach towards India
appeared inconsistent at times. Moments of tension, such as the Pulwama attack in 2019
and the subsequent military escalation, led to challenges in maintaining consistent
engagement.

4. Challenges in Comprehensive Dialogue:

 Despite initial efforts, PTI's government faced challenges in establishing a

comprehensive dialogue with India. Issues like terrorism, cross-border
infiltration, and the Kashmir conflict remained significant hurdles in the
normalization of relations.

5. Kashmir Issue:

 PTI's stance on the Kashmir issue was consistent with Pakistan's historical
position, asserting the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
However, India's decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019
strained relations and prompted strong reactions from Pakistan.

6. Role of Geopolitics:

 The broader geopolitical landscape, including Pakistan's relations with China

and the United States, influenced the government's approach towards India.
Regional power dynamics and global politics played a role in shaping PTI's
foreign policy decisions.

7. Domestic and Political Factors:

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 PTI's approach to foreign policy, including towards India, was shaped by

domestic considerations. Public sentiment, the party's electoral promises, and
political dynamics within Pakistan also influenced the government's stance.

8. People-to-People Contact:

 PTI emphasized people-to-people contacts as a way to build trust and

understanding between the two countries. Cultural exchanges, sports
diplomacy, and increased trade were aspects of this approach.

In summary, PTI's foreign policy towards India after 2008 was characterized by
a desire for peace, pragmatic engagements, and efforts to address historical
conflicts. However, the party faced challenges in maintaining consistent
dialogue due to regional tensions, terrorism-related concerns, and the broader
geopolitical landscape. The Kartarpur Corridor was a notable achievement,
showcasing PTI's efforts to create positive interactions between the people of
both countries. However, the overall success of PTI's foreign policy towards
India remains subject to ongoing developments and the complexities of the
Indo-Pak relationship.
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CONCLUSION

The goals of Pakistan have, by and large, remained in constant position even though new
dimensions were added. The pursuing of these goals through military and diplomatic strategies
has been varying over the period. The numbers of changes in such kind of strategies are well
familiar as host of factors influence the foreign policy choices of a state which mostly include
the dynamics of both kinds of situations i.e., regionally as well as internationally, the probability
of available human and material resources and finally depending upon the disposition and
priority by the policymakers. At present, Pakistan is part of the globally led fight against
terrorism and religious extremism which pose serious threats to global security as well as to the
internal peace, stability and economic development of Pakistan. Pakistan has made some
difficult decisions in pursuing counter-terrorism and for ensuring peace and stability in the
immediate neighbourhood to boost its image at the international level. Now, Pakistan emerges
as a modern democratic country which enlightened Muslim polity and ensured them that it
does not allow any extremist group to use its territory against any other groups, country etc.
From 2008 to 2013, the PPP’s government had smooth workable relations with three of the
neighbours: India, Iran and Afghanistan. The pro-UAE government was at minimal talks and
formal terms with Saudi Arabia (Mahmood, 1997). When the electoral results in 2013 came in
favour of Nawaz Sharif, it was considered that Pakistan will show greater attention towards the
Saudi government as compared to Iran. This policy affected Pakistan’s relationship with Iran as
a push back to the terms with Iran (Mahmood, 1997).
In 2017, Mr Sharif put the biggest foot in favour of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan became a part of
the Saudi-led military alliance and the US president categorically asked to single out Iran.
Pakistan has a disenchanted neighbour in the form of Afghanistan, who has serious concerns
about its role in their politics and the region. The US has shunned the talks of the strategic
alliance with Pakistan and only wants to see a pliant Pakistan that should not disturb India in
pursuance of its contain China policy. Both PPP and PML-N governments observed successes
and failures on foreign policy front while PML-N performing comparatively better.

In conclusion, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's foreign policy

towards India after 2008 was marked by a combination of aspirations for
peaceful relations, pragmatic engagements, and challenges posed by historical
conflicts and regional complexities. While the PTI demonstrated a genuine
intent for dialogue and improved relations, its approach encountered a series
of obstacles that limited the extent of its success in this domain.

The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor was a significant achievement,

highlighting PTI's efforts to foster people-to-people connections and promote
religious tourism. This initiative showcased a positive gesture towards India
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and the international community, emphasizing the importance of cultural and

humanitarian ties.

However, the PTI government faced challenges in maintaining consistent

dialogue with India. Historical conflicts, including the Kashmir issue, continued
to cast a shadow over attempts at reconciliation. Moments of tension, such as
the Pulwama attack and subsequent military escalation, revealed the fragility
of efforts to sustain peaceful relations.

Geopolitical dynamics and domestic considerations played a role in shaping

PTI's foreign policy towards India. Regional power dynamics, Pakistan's
relations with China and the United States, and domestic political factors
influenced the government's stance on critical issues.

Ultimately, the success of PTI's foreign policy towards India after 2008 is a
complex and evolving narrative. While the party demonstrated intentions for
peaceful relations and took steps towards engagement, the entrenched nature
of historical conflicts, coupled with regional complexities, hindered the full
realization of these aspirations. The PTI government's tenure was marked by a
mix of positive initiatives, diplomatic efforts, and enduring challenges,
illustrating the intricate nature of the Indo-Pak relationship and the broader
geopolitical context in which these policies unfolded.
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RECOMMENDATIONS

Some of the viable recommendations for the potent futuristic foreign policy of Pakistan are
proffered as below:

o Pakistan should continue to play its facilitation role in Afghanistan for peace and stability. It
should resolve the divergences with Afghanistan, such as the Afghan refugees, cross-border
terrorism and border management issues through a joint mechanism and plan of action.
o Backdoor or track-2 diplomacy with India should be initiated based on mutual respect and
equality. Kashmir issue should be kept alive and composite dialogue should be revived.
o CPEC is a game-changer but it can only deliver if Pakistan long-term security and stability within
the system. Economic progress in fields of energy and agriculture needs to be strengthened as
they complement the booming commercial sectors of the industry. Alongside, safety and
security of assets under CPEC is of paramount importance in the face of active effort by hostile
states.
o Pakistan should continue to diversify and expand its options in the diplomatic, economic,
security and trade realms.
o As Pakistan engages new countries, it must not forget to strengthen ties with the EU and the
Arab world. Open and wider access to these markets can give a fillip to the economy, besides
decreasing the dependency on the USA and even China.
o Pakistan must strengthen relations with Iran, which is bound to play an extremely critical role in
regional geostrategic politics, once Gwadar port is operationalized. Pakistan has legitimate
security and economic interests with Iran and to secure those interests, better relations is a
precondition.

During its tenure, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government faced

significant challenges and opportunities in shaping its foreign policy towards
India after 2008. Here are some recommendations that the PTI government
could have considered to navigate this complex relationship more effectively:

1. Consistent Engagement: Maintain consistent engagement with India through

diplomatic channels. Ensure that dialogue is pursued even in the face of
challenges or setbacks, as sustained communication is crucial for addressing
issues and building trust.
2. Comprehensive Dialogue: Establish a comprehensive and structured
dialogue process that encompasses various issues of mutual concern, such as
terrorism, Kashmir, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
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3. Track II Diplomacy: Utilize Track II diplomacy, involving non-governmental

experts and civil society, to facilitate open discussions and brainstorm
potential solutions to contentious issues.
4. Economic Cooperation: Explore avenues for increased economic
cooperation, trade, and investment. Economic ties can create incentives for
both countries to work towards stability and growth.
5. Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Promote cultural and educational
exchanges to foster understanding and reduce misconceptions between
people of both nations.
6. Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms,
including hotlines and protocols, to prevent inadvertent escalations during
moments of tension along the Line of Control (LoC).
7. Public Diplomacy: Engage in public diplomacy campaigns to shape positive
narratives and counter negative stereotypes about each other's countries,
especially among the younger generation.
8. Mediation and International Involvement: Explore opportunities for third-
party mediation or facilitation by international organizations to help address
complex issues, such as the Kashmir conflict.
9. Humanitarian Initiatives: Collaborate on humanitarian initiatives that
transcend political tensions, such as disaster relief efforts and joint healthcare
projects.
10.Prioritize Regional Stability: Acknowledge the impact of regional stability on
bilateral relations. Address concerns about regional security and work
collectively on stabilizing Afghanistan to prevent spillover effects on both
countries.
11.Balanced Geopolitical Engagement: While maintaining traditional alliances,
ensure that engagements with global powers like China and the United States
do not impede efforts to improve relations with India.
12.Long-Term Vision: Develop a long-term vision for the bilateral relationship
beyond immediate political considerations. Emphasize the mutual benefits of
peace and cooperation for both nations' development and stability.

In navigating its foreign policy towards India, the PTI government could have
considered these recommendations to foster a more conducive environment
for dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence. It is essential to recognize
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that improving relations between two neighboring countries with a history of

conflict requires sustained efforts, commitment, and a multifaceted approach
that transcends political timelines.
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