A more mature response please

As soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “This Republic day we hope to have a friend over… invited President Obama to be the 1st US President to grace the occasion as Chief Guest” last week, our TV channels went into overdrive. In one panel discussion, the anchor had lined up two Pakistanis — a retired army colonel and a Pakistan Muslim League (N) spokeswoman. Unbelievably, and flouting all journalistic standards, the first question tossed to the colonel was: “If this is not telling off what is…”

The man couldn’t be faulted for being totally foxed for a few moments; the question had to be repeated not once, but twice, and the second time with the context being explained that Obama had spoken to Nawaz Sharif after accepting India’s invite and had told him he would not be visiting Pakistan on this occasion. So much intimidation and shouting followed that I simply had to turn off my TV set. The best analogy for this immature behaviour would be one kid telling another, with his tongue stuck out: “I got a lollipop from the American president; you got nothing.”

Isn’t it time to at least recognise, if not celebrate, the fact that the de-hyphenation of India and Pakistan took place long ago? Modi’s managing to get a US president to grace our Republic Day celebrations is indeed a diplomatic coup, but it’s not unexpected. This is only a reconfirmation of the US’ attempts to improve ties to balance the growing clout of China in Asia. That we have marched far ahead of our neighbour in the 68 years of our independent history is a given. And Pakistanis concede it too, though not on television channels!

On my visits to Pakistan over 25 years, I am yet to meet a Pakistani who has not rued the fact that India has made so much progress, and has developed, moved forward and remained a democracy, while Pakistan has been enmeshed in a plethora of problems. These include both military rule for half of its independent life, when Pakistani generals ruled the roost with none daring to question them, and the country being further ruined in the remaining half by the governance of corrupt politicians.

For those in Karachi, at least in the 40-60 years and above age group, Mumbai has become the city of their dreams. They closely follow our tinsel-town demi-gods and goddesses, copy the fashion trends they set, lap up gossip about their personal lives and vie with one another to see the latest Bollywood movies. Of course, it is some consolation for them that of late, Pakistani TV serials have become a rage in India thanks to more sensible story lines, sober content, less screaming and more lifelike situations.

In Lahore and Islamabad, predictably, Delhi primarily, and even Amritsar and Chandigarh, are looked upon with both envy and affection; if the borders open, Pakistanis would drive down in thousands to enjoy our art, culture, dance, movies, food and above all “liberal ethos”. When this is the reality, harsh or otherwise, should not India as the larger, more progressive, stable and economically powerful neighbour have come forth with a more measured response to the development soon after Modi tweeted?

By the way, the mainstream media would do well to remember that this major announcement came through the Prime Minister’s tweet and not a press conference! So much for its importance in the new dispensation!

An important fact that Pakistan cannot deny is that its downhill journey has been accelerated by the genie it had unleashed in the form of terrorism in India, and the US-encouraged Mujahideen in Afghanistan. That genie is today destroying the country from within. The terror unleashed on Pakistan’s military and civil society by the Pakistan Taliban is well known.

How many Americans or Europeans would today make Pakistan their tourist destination? It has a lot of what India has — diversity, natural beauty, vibrant colours, Islamic art and Mughal architecture in the form of the Badshahi mosque and the Shalimar gardens in Lahore. Not to forget the enchanting Anarkali Bazar.

There was predictable rage in India at the umpteenth Sharif attempt to dig up the Kashmir issue and seek US help to resolve it.

But as a snubbed leader, what else could he do? What outcome his pleading will have is already known.

I believe we have evolved enough as a mature democracy and an emerging superpower to stop revelling in Pakistan’s misery or the US climbdown. So instead of silly tweets let’s enjoy the subtle humour such as this one, from Ramesh Srivats: “Obama to be chief guest on Republic Day. King of Bhutan sulking”!

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