New Delhi: In a political theatre draped in hypocrisy and delusion, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s June 6 Eid pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has revealed greater than diplomatic pleasantries, it has uncovered Islamabad’s deeply flawed obsession with projecting itself as a peace-seeking nation, whereas covertly fuelling terror and instability throughout South Asia.
Whereas Indian safety forces proceed to grapple with Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, the newest being the April 22 lethal Pahalgam assault that killed 26 civilians, Sharif had the gall to thank Saudi Arabia for mediating “peace” between India and Pakistan. Sure, the identical Pakistan whose soil has birthed masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar now pretends to be a sobered neighbour searching for dialogue.
Shehbaz’s post-Eid rendezvous with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman turned a diplomatic masquerade. Pakistan’s PM went so far as commending Riyadh’s “constructive and constructive” function in de-escalating current Indo-Pak tensions. However allow us to not neglect: there was no ceasefire settlement as a result of India wanted mediation. It was a tactical determination from New Delhi, calibrated, managed and backed by army superiority.
India, not like Pakistan, doesn’t run to overseas patrons for a bailout each time tensions flare. It responds with surgical strikes, diplomatic isolations, or, most just lately, powerful measures like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, choking Pakistan’s already struggling agrarian economic system. Islamabad calling it “Indian aggression” is laughable. The actual aggression has at all times flowed from Rawalpindi’s GHQ, not Raisina Hill.
Pakistan’s Saudi Paradox
It’s ironic and virtually insulting that Pakistan speaks of “accountable restraint” whereas praising Saudi Arabia for “peacemaking”, at the same time as ISI-trained militants infiltrate Indian borders. This charade appears extra like Islamabad searching for validation for a story that has misplaced world credibility.
India has made it clear – terror and talks can not go collectively. When New Delhi responds, it does so with readability, whether or not it’s by revoking Article 370, neutralising terrorists with pinpoint army operations or weaponising diplomacy at world boards just like the FATF, the place Pakistan continues to oscillate on gray lists.
Pakistan’s efforts to internationalise each skirmish with India, now disguised below the veil of “Saudi mediation”, are nothing however makes an attempt to cowl up its diplomatic failures and home chaos. The current Eid-ul-Adha journey, painted as a triumph, solely additional illustrated Pakistan’s dependence on exterior crutches to stay related on the worldwide stage.
In the meantime, India continues to deal with its safety and diplomacy with maturity. It doesn’t want overseas intervention to talk for it. India’s stance is agency: if Pakistan needs peace, it should first cease exporting terror.
Can Saudi Arabia Play a Actual Strategic Position?
The sincere reply is sure, however provided that it chooses substance over symbolism. Riyadh holds leverage over Islamabad, not simply diplomatically however economically, given the billions in assist and loans Saudi Arabia has prolonged to maintain Pakistan afloat.
If the Kingdom actually needs to play a constructive function in South Asia, it ought to use that leverage to demand accountability from Pakistan’s army and intelligence networks that perpetuate terrorism.
It ought to push for real de-radicalisation, not lavish state banquets whereas terror coaching camps function throughout the LOC. The Kingdom’s credibility as a regional energy hinges not on well mannered diplomacy, however on powerful conversations behind closed doorways.
Sufficient of This Farce
India sees the go to a weird gratitude Pakistan prolonged to Saudi Arabia over a supposed “ceasefire” with New Delhi. There was no such peace deal, simply India deciding when and the right way to interact. In any case, why would the world’s most populated democracy entertain a dialogue with a rogue state the place democracy itself is a puppet of the army?
Sharif could discover pleasure in royal luncheons and chauffeured rides by the Saudi Crown Prince. However no quantity of hospitality or photo-ops can erase Pakistan’s document because the fountainhead of terrorism in South Asia.
India doesn’t want a peace certificates from a state that harbours fugitives and celebrates terrorists as martyrs. And if Saudi Arabia actually needs to play peacemaker, it ought to first urge Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure. Till then, these symbolic gestures and orchestrated hugs in palaces will stay what they really are – diplomatic illusions in a home of playing cards.