Amidst the intense competition of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India, Pakistan has become an unavoidable topic in the speeches of prominent political leaders during their campaign rallies. Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the esteemed Wilson Center, has expressed that Prime Minister Modi’s recent comments regarding Pakistan are not unexpected. He highlights that since the Uri/Pathankot attacks that followed Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore in 2015, the Prime Minister has consistently adopted a tough stance towards Pakistan, showing no inclination towards any form of engagement.
In light of the prevailing situation between the two nations, Kugelman believes that while India has no interest in improving its relations with its neighbor, it also does not desire any further deterioration. India’s primary concern in foreign policy lies with China rather than Pakistan. Kugelman emphasizes that India’s strategy is to maintain low tensions with Pakistan, enabling it to focus more of its strategic attention on the challenges posed by China. He describes this approach as an effort to reduce tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, thereby allowing India to shift its attention towards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the broader challenges posed by China.
Kugelman characterizes the routine criticism of Pakistan as performative, stating that Indian politicians and television anchors often engage in harsh rhetoric and threats directed towards Pakistan, but these actions are largely symbolic. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emphasized its tough stance on Pakistan. During the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, BJP leaders have repeatedly invoked the 2019 Pulwama attack as part of their campaign strategy. However, Priyanka Gandhi, the General Secretary of the Congress party, has urged the ruling party to focus on addressing real issues during the polls.
In response to the controversy surrounding remarks made by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, Priyanka Gandhi questioned the timing of the issue’s resurgence, given that the statement in question was made in the past. A video clip has been widely circulated in which Aiyar can be heard suggesting that India should treat Pakistan with respect, acknowledging its status as a sovereign nation, and engaging with it diplomatically, considering that it possesses nuclear weapons. India’s Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases, with the final counting of votes scheduled for June 4th.
