Abstract

Since the Indian nationalist party Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)’s leader took the charge of the state, bilateral relations between India and Pakistan became rigid. The period from 2014 to 2020 has been discussed in the study. In Prime Minister Modi’s era, the tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has escalated because, in the second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked articles 370 and 35A, which gave the special status to Indian administered Kashmir. This study examines the basis of Indian foreign policy under the BJP’s administration and how Prime Minister Modi’s policy towards Pakistan and provides policy recommendations for practitioners to improve the bilateral ties with India

Key Words:

Hegemony, Bilateralism, Negotiation, Ideology, Democracy 

Introduction

Pakistan and India’s relations have always been tense because both states claim the disputed territory of Kashmir. Kashmir is the crucial object that escalates tussle between Indo-Pak relations and has become one of the worst parts of the region. Pakistan and India got independence in 1947, the north part of the region were devoted to Pakistan whereas India’ got the Southern side. Similarly, Kashmir was assigned. Both India and Pakistan firmly claimed it. The Kashmiri people did not accept the political powers and ought to be affiliated with Pakistan. The Indian occupied Kashmir is a Muslim majority state, but the political parties lead to Hindu nationalist policies. Therefore, the skirmishes between the Indian armed force and local Kashmiri become constant.  Kashmir conflict is a terrible outcome of the long suppressive process of discrimination, Ignorance, and a movement for the rights of selfdetermination. A multi-layered conflict has many dimensions including autonomy debate for the resolution of the conflict. The people of Kashmir have always been deprived of their basic rights. 

The Kashmir conflict is a constitutional problem that escalates by doing further amendments to the state’s constitution. Although both countries have often been captured in undergo conflicts since the Indian nationalist leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2014-2020) came to power certain changes can be observed in Indian foreign Affairs.  In 2019, India deprived local people of their basic rights by revoking articles 370 and 35A which intensify the tension between India and Pakistan. Article 370 gave special status to the state of J&K state. The article was a constitutional provision that gave special autonomy to Indian-occupied Kashmir. 

Since 1947, the relations between India and Pakistan have been confrontational which is directly affecting the foreign policies of India and Pakistan. India has declined to endure Pakistan's existence. India prudently increases its ties with all The South Asian regional countries and has great power to encounter Pakistan. PM Modi's foreign policies prudently changed the core content of India’s diplomacy. India usually followed a slow-to-anger policy in the name of non-alignment against Pakistan. Under PM Modi’s regime, India has adopted a more confident policy and actively looking for a third ally to the diplomatic coalition against Pakistan and China. Prime Minister Modi’s bilateralism stance has interpreted that the course of discussion is anti-terrorism and conflict with Pakistan over Kashmir is off the table. (Yousaf, 2017) Foreign Policy is the fundamental political tool that leads the state in different directions for achieving goals and gaining national interest. It contemplates a quiet political activity of a state. A fine foreign policy defiantly leads a state to attain a proper place among the international community and fulfil its national interest. (Miller & Sullivan 2017). However, at the end of the world war and after the treaty of Westphalia, there was a visible growth in the enlargement of nation-states. The acute problem of this development was the formation of interaction among these states. Hence the premises of the 
United Nations and the concept of decolonization have extricated many states into sovereign states have further propulsion the need for interrelationships between states. So, the era of foreign policy formation was going to start. (Bojang, 2018)However, ‘globalization played an integral role in the enlargement of foreign policy. 
Foreign Policy is a matter of great concern that it plays a vital role in the development of a country, especially in emerging countries. Multiple factors work together towards this goal of development such as commercial negotiation, international cooperation, investment policy, trade policy, etc. Furthermore, among the scholars, there is harmony on the necessity of foreign policy, and they argued that no state will agree to operate in absolute isolation. (Piffero, 2017) Likewise, Indian foreign policy will be elaborated further. India is a cunning player in The South Asian Region but its foreign policy towards Pakistan is brutal to analyze the Indian policy let's have a gaze into the past.  

Impacts of Controversial Background on Foreign Policy

This book disclosed the intensity of bilateral relations and crucial foreign policy of India and Pakistan towards each other and can evaluate the escalation of conflicts and threats through historical events. Although Hindus and Muslims always have been a nemesis for each other and after Independence it turns into Indo-Pak conflicts as well Hindu Muslims riots. Pakistan was proved to be a lethal challenge for India binging when first India claimed on Muslim majority states Jammu and Kashmir than 

Pakistan and India fought 3 wars as the time has passed the disputes escalated further, terrorism fueled the fire, killings of Kashmir, water distribution, a dispute over the line of control (LOC) and the fatal Hindutva ideology, nuclear tests 1998 and September 2001 terrorist attacks and Indian accused of terrorism on Pakistan (Banerjee, 2016). These all-major events completely alter the foreign policy of India and Pakistan.  Controversial events of both nucleararmed states certainly have impacts on foreign policies as well on the South Asian region it is an impoverished but militarized region because of India and Pakistan. In the era of 1987 to 1994, the world was reducing military expenditure by 37% while South Asia has increased its military expenditure by 12%. When the entire world was trying to encourage peace and harmony among states through their foreign policies, the Asian region was preceded by hostility and bitterness because of Indo- Pak crucial affairs and foreign policies (Hilali, 2005). 

Pakistan and India always promote the potency of their states and the intensity of the state’s behaviour regarding every confrontation that happened between them through their foreign policies. Whenever there is a conflict or skirmish that happened the contention escalated further which have bad impacts on the bilateral relations of both states.  The Indian foreign policy has 3 different phases after the partition between India and Pakistan. (Dawn, 2020) The first phase was divided from 1947 to 196.  At that time, India was newly born and had to grow up and cope with its rival neighbour. So, the founding father of India has whelmed to lift the economy. At the beginning of the second phase in 1962 India had a disastrous defeat from China in the Sino-Indo war found its new rival in the region, on the other hand, Pakistan has an excellent tie with China, and the relationship between both got excellent. (Ganguly P. &., 

2009) 

 

Indian Foreign Policy towards Pakistan under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s period  

Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy is quite different and discrete from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Major changes in strategies of state can be observed by evaluating different variables either individual or states level variables. However, the foreign policy of Narendra Modi is considering a proactive turn charged by tough leadership. Some Indian scholars have firmly believed that there is a proactive turn in Indian foreign policy in PM Modi’s regime because the priorities of foreign engagement and national security have redefined and gone up.  However, in some areas like regional politics democracy remained to fail. (Chandra, 2017) Although PM Modi’s foreign policy is different, the goals of Indian foreign policy have not been exchanged.  The annual conference of the International Studies Association has revealed the midterm progress of PM Narender Modi’s foreign policy. The participants of the conference were confused about the attitude of the Indian prime minister whether Prime Minister Modi would announce a new era of foreign policy, or his policies are just a repackaged of older policies. PM Modi’s religious diplomacy has a strong role in Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy his Hindutva ideology has powerful but has a different impact on domestic and external affairs. However, India's foreign economy has also adopted a clear nationalist tone and has indicated the ‘neighbourhood first’ priority in his government tenure. (Gupta, 2018) Despite Prime Minister Modi having set a personal stamp on foreign policy. The Indian foreign policy has remained the same towards major powers and partners, especially the sensitive issues.  

Ever since India got independence, every leader of state has set Neighborhood priority in its foreign policy. Pakistan has always been a tough ‘nut to crack’ However in PM Modi’s government the bilateral relations of both India and Pakistan has a bit hostile. Indian Prime Minister Modi has invited surprisingly all leaders of SAARC states including his Pakistani counterpart PM Nawaz Sharif to his swearing ceremony. The first gesture of Prime Minister Modi was projected as the betterment of IndoPak relations (Surendra, 2014). PM Modi was also invited by Nawaz sharif in December 2015 for the betterment of external affairs, but the 2016 Pathankot attack on the Indian air force further escalated the tension. However, due to border tensions and Indian being accused of terrorism against Pakistan the long-term dialogue diplomacy relations was spoiled. Since the BJP’s leader PM Modi came into power the cross border has been escalating that indicating the failure of the government's foreign policy.PM Modi demonstrated that he would act tough with Pakistan on security issues and isolate Pakistan in international and regional forums.  

Even after the Pulwama incident in February 2019, the Indian and Pakistani Political societies have obsessively gripped. The incident remains the core issue in foreign policies and securities of both states.  The Pulwama attack occurred in Kashmir territory, but it was a direct threat to Pakistan's security challenge. On one side Pakistan and India trying to solve bilateral matters but on the other hand, both states are obsessive about self-defence. Whenever both states have an armed skirmish, airstrike, or any offensive action it develops disability and malevolence in dual side relations. The direct or indirect target on securities issues, border tension, cross-firing, violation of law reflects the poor foreign policy towards a state. (Feyyaz, 2019) . During PM Modi’s tenure, his foreign policy reflects his incompetency for the betterment of Pakistan.   




Major Events and International Response

There is a series of conflicts between India and Pakistan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s period. The following conflict reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Foreign Policy towards Pakistan.  

 

Surgical Strike of 2016 

Pakistan has always been a prime factor for its competitor. India’s foreign policy and domestic politics have been directly linked to Pakistani foreign affairs. The poor bilateral relations of both countries and the Indian accusation of Pakistan for terror funding activities have escalated the tension further which, the Prime 

Minister of India Narendra Modi’s administration played an important part by changing the foreign policy mode towards Pakistan. The period from 2014 to the present is highly based on collusion and conspiracy. Some important and major events have increased the further rigidity. From the 2016 surgical strike to February 2019 airstrike against Pakistan at 

Balakot (Kaura, 2020) 

 

The Pathankot Strike 

A group of terrorists was heavily loaded with armed and attacked an Indian Air force station in Pathankot in January 2016. The attack was deadly, and the subsequent operation endured 17 hours and resulting in the death of three security persons and five. The attack guided to a collapse between India and Pakistan, and it remained largely unsolved as of September 2019. The attack was strived to derail a weak peace process between India and Pakistan.  According to Indian Media, there were several pieces of evidence found that has linked the attackers to Pakistan. The tension has escalated, and the bilateral relations got worse (Sreekumar, 2016) India has accused that on 2 January 2016, some Pakistani-based terrorists have managed to break the security ring of the Indian Air Force (AIF) at the Pathankot station. The leader of the terrorist group Jaish e Muhammad (JEM) was blamed for this strike. The Indian prime minister had a telephonic conversation with their counterpart Nawaz Sharif after the attack and asked him to take decisive action on the ‘specific information’ gathered by Indian agencies. Modi did not directly blame Pakistan for this attack and in response, Sharif also assured that Pakistan would defiantly investigate the specific information provided by India. (Haider, 2016) 

(Joshi, 2016) After this major attack, two leaders and their national security advisors had agreed that they would meet in mid-January for the peace process between India and Pakistan. This Cordiality was called an unexpected gesture by the Indian government. Pakistan had adopted a cooperative approach and clear narrative that If Pakistani Nationals are engaged in the attack, reciprocal steps should be taken here.  Despite India having Indirect pressure from THE USA regarding the Kashmir issue, the Modi administration is not likely to start a peace dialogue with Pakistan. However, Modi has not been able to hold on to a good relationship with Pakistan and accused Pakistan is not taking 

serious action against terrorism. (Dawn, 2016) 

 

Uri Attack 2016 

In September 2016 eight months later after the January 2016’s attack, seventeen Indian soldiers were killed in the deadly attack on the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir. This attack was carried out by four terrorists and according to the Indian media JEM terrorist group was involved in this attack.  India was accusing again Pakistan of the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi and the members of his Cabinet condemned the attack, so they had indignantly posted their furious statements on Twitter. (Aljazeera, 2016) Pranab Mukherjee who was the president of India tweeted that ‘India will not be cowed down by such attacks; we will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers’ (Twitter, 2016) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made a decisive statement and strongly condemned the attack and assured his nation to punish the perpetrators in his tweet. ‘We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. (Twitter, 2016)  

The Indian policymakers and leaders used rhetorical strategies to frame the Uri attack as a surgical strike. The foreign minister of Pakistan rejects all the Indian allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the Uri Attack. He asserted that in the past there were many terrorist moves had happened inside India for which India has blamed Pakistan. The world knows about Indian atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir, so India is trying to distract the world’s attention. India is violating human rights and genocides the Kashmiris.  (Abbas, 2016). Pakistani military leadership had condemned the Indian allegation and said India deliberately generated the false effects by linking the surgical strike to terrorists.  Pakistani soldiers have died in the cross-border firing and it escalates the tension in the region. 

(BBC, 2016) 

Pulwama Attack (14 Feb 2019)

The situation between India and Pakistan has never been creditable or exemplary. Since PM Modi took charge, every year circumstances got worse. As it were on 14 February 2014, the Pulwama attack occurred. It was a suicide attack that killed 40 personnel of the Centre Reserve Police force (CRPF) in the Indian administered Kashmir in Pulwama district. This attack was quite challenging politically and economically for the Indian government.  Pakistan and India were almost on the brink of war. According to the Indian media Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM), the terrorist group took the responsibility for the attack, and once again India was accusing Pakistan of the deadliest attack. All the major countries including Pakistan have condemned the attack. (Siyech, 2019) (BBC, 2019) As India retain its tendency and accused Pakistan of this attack.  India was trying to pretend as much assertive state that is highlighting Pakistan engaging in terrorist activities.  Indian home minister Rajnath Singh and their prime minister clearly stated that a strong retaliation will be given to the perpetrators of this attack. India firmly said that Jaish-e- Mohammed terrorist group was the creation of Pakistan.  The participation of (the JEM) group is directly linked to Pakistan. The Finance Minister of India Arun Jaitley has made the statement on the Pulwama attack that India would fully isolate Pakistan in the diplomatic community (The 

Editorial Board 2019) 

(Aljazeera, 2019) The Pulwama attack escalates the tension between India and Pakistan even both states recalled their ambassadors. Pakistan condemned the attacks and firmly stated that Pakistan will defiantly take strict action against terrorism and denies the Indian allegation regarding the Pulwama attack. Pakistan and India have had four wars and many skirmishes despite the United Nations-mandated plebiscite for Kashmir. Pakistan remained successful to internationalize the Kashmir issue after the failure to solve a bilateral issue with India. However, with the nuclearization of South Asia, the internationalization of the regional conflict between India and Pakistan was long overdue 

 

Balakot Air strike (26-Feb 2019) 

After the Pulwama incident in the Indian administered Kashmir state, India retaliates back to Pakistan at the Balakot spot. The beginning of 2019 was marked the most serious tightness between India and Pakistan, and it triggered a cycle of retaliation between armed both armed states.  India sent combatant jets across the border (it divides the Kashmir state between both states) for retaliation.  Pakistani narrative on this strike was normal and said this strike hit the wooded area that was unpopulated.  India said that the target was the training camp of the Jesh-e- Muhammad terrorist group (Slater, 2019) 

According to this BBC report (BBC, 2019)The Indian strike on Pakistan at Balakot has subsided later but the confusing mess of claims and the counterclaims on both sides were continued.  Whether IAF strikes on their planned targets were victorious, whether Pakistan did shoot down the Indian fighter jets, and whether the Indian Air force had claimed that they did bring down a Pakistan Air Force F16 were all controversial issues. The decisive answer seemed elusive, despite the insistent investigation within the South Asian region and by the international community.  The military gestures towards each other were a high risk of war and a danger to the peace of the region as well.  

A Cowardly strike by the Indian authority against Pakistan was another example of the Indian so-called rivalry. History is full of examples of such Indian blunders across the border into Pakistan territory, but they could not do any damage to Pakistan. India considered it was a ‘pre-emptive attack’ so failed to prove any video which was a baseless statement.  Pakistani Prime minister has already offered the Indian authority that if they have any proof against Pakistan’s involvement in the previous attack on Pulwama, Pakistan will take solid action. The Balakot incident was proof of the Indian lies and absents of any evidence. (Dawn, 2019) The agitation of escalation to the crucial conventional conflict may cause the nuclear action that prevented India from ever attacking Pakistan, so India is strengthening a resilient form of the Indian self-deterrence. Pakistan ensured that it would never have to bear any depredations by its rival.  India has been permanently accusing Pakistan of terrorism and was making propaganda for the attack, but Pakistan remained persistent and fights back 

(Tellis, 2019) 

The Pilot Diplomacy (28 Feb 2019)

The Balakot strike was the result of Pakistan having shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured the pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. Pakistan claimed that it had shoot downed two Indian jets. Pakistan released a video clip and some images showing the Indian pilot was being rescued from violent villagers. (BBC, 2019). The Pakistan Army gave the first aid and treated him well. After the footage was released India was flared up and said, “strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force” and they demanded his safe and immediate return. Pakistan ensured India that it would be treated well (Kazmin, 2019) Pakistan returned the pilot to India on 1 March at the Wagah border.  The pilot said on TV that Pakistan’s army's behaviour was very impressive and treated him well. Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan said that the pilot’s release was a peace gesture, and it will be limiting the tension between both nuclear-armed states. 

(BBC, 2019) 

 

Revoking the Article 370 (5 Aug 2019) 

During the second term of elections, Modi’s behaviour was unlike in the backdrop of many internal and external challenges. Firstly, Modi was under pressure from the UN for probing human rights violations in Indian administered Kashmir during his previous tenure. Secondly, after taking the oath Prime Minister Imran Khan called for peace talks with its neighbour and rival India in his earliest speech. One of the most crucial domestic challenges for Modi was to get a sweeping victory in favour of his Bhartiya Janata Party by wielding the anti-Pakistan movement. (Naureen, 2018). Furthermore, Modi had adopted nationalist agenda while campaigning for his second term. This jingoism had gone to a broader extent and the BJP’s most desirable goal was to strip off Kashmir’s autonomy was going to accomplish. Modi fulfilled his promise by snatching the rights of freedom from Kashmiri in the form of revoking article 370. 

On 5 August 2019, the Indian fourteenth prime minister has revoked articles 370 and 35A.  This article granted the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir according to the Indian constitution. The BJPs have the longstanding desire to integrate Jammu and Kashmir into India eventually their leader fulfilled it. (Mint, 2019).  The Lok Sabah 2019’s election manifesto was indicating the party’s position in history. The abrogation of articles 370 and 35A allowed the Indian-administered territory of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to allocate the permanent residents of the state. This revocation of the article had not only undermined the basic rights of poor Kashmiri, but it aggravated the complex situation between India and Pakistan. There is a full flagged debate on the Indian irrational decision to abrogate the article. In the future, as America withdraws its troops from Afghanistan the resumption of the Taliban would defiantly become a direct threat to the Kashmir territory controlled by India. Anyhow the power struggle is expected to initiate in South Asia amongst the regional major powers including Iran, Pakistan China, Russia, and India after the United State withdrawal its troops from Afghanistan. (Sharma, 2019). It would be hard for India to develop control of Kashmir or gain regional strength therefore insecurities like these compelled India to take such undemocratic action.  

After the USA withdrew its hegemony from Afghanistan the common perception is that India would be under pressure because Pakistan with China’s support will lead the region and it would be hard for India to keep its suppressive position in the Kashmir territory. China is also involved in the Indian administered J&K because of its claims on the Ladakh state. In this scenario, Pakistan only needs to strengthen the diplomatic ties that it has taken up at the last United Nations General Assembly meeting. International media has written about Pakistan’s diplomatic missions. (Shah, 2020) This report in the New York time reveals the international narratives on PM Modi’s move and the United Nation declaration on the revocation of article 370.  Security Council shoulder declared that PM Modi’s acts of brutality on Kashmir are against the UN mandate and PM Modi’s desire to control the conflict by owning it is certainly wrong.   The Chinese government had been stressed upon the United Nations Security Council to set out the peacekeeping role since 1965. (Times, 2019) China again calls for a Security Council meeting to critical Kashmir’s situation in August 2019.  The major tragedy is indicating the Muslim countries’ behaviour in Kashmir and PM Modi’s act is shameless but now the situation getting better as PM Imran khan focused on the Kashmir issue and invited the Muslim neighbour to talk about it. (Gull, 2020) 

Revoking of Article 35A (5 Aug 2019)

Article 35A is also significant in the context of Kashmir’s autonomy, it was introduced in 1954 on the presidential order in the Indian constitution. It allowed the Kashmiris to have authority on property, government jobs, and educational scholarships. This article further referred to the female of J&K to have permanent residence from the property rights even if they marry the outsider. Some of the article aspects have been diluted but the remaining was unchanged. The Indian authority argued that the provision did not have any parliamentary warrant. (Al-jazeera, 2019)So, PM Modi revoked article 35A with article 370 in August 2019 and deprived Kashmiri of basic rights. 

 

Fake Indian Network (1 Dec. 2020) 

The Brussels-based lab revealed a coordinated a fake vast network, which was serving Indian interests in 65 countries.  Multiples Ngo’s and the think tank were also serving Indian interests. The Disinfolab in Brussels was producing the content to undermine Pakistan.  Numerous fake NGO channels and websites are operating and generating Indian biased content and spreading against Pakistan internationally. The EU Disinfolab has revealed many networks like these which are involved in spreading the anti-Pakistan stance (Jahangir, 2020) This report describes the new investigation that uncover the Indian chronicles network last year. It aims to reinforce the pro-Indian stance and spread the anti-China and anti-Pakistan agenda. The core purpose of the network is to improve the Indian image and consolidate the power of India and damage the Pakistani position for gaining more support from the internal community. The Disinfolab purpose is to target and investigates the information that is biased against European Union. (NEWS, 2020) The operation exposed many channels 

much of which has linked to India 

International Community’s Reactions

Whenever there is conflict arose in the world, the international community tried to solve and limit the escalation further. The same terms and conditions are applied to the major regional conflict in South Asia. The conflicts getting worse because many armed skirmishes are increasing day by day. Although it was a long and crucial dispute, Indian PM Narendra Modi changed the game. Instead of making good ties with its old rival neighbour PM Modi has made the situation poor. The era of 2014 to 2020 was full of stress and tightness between two nucleararmed states. The international community has been condemned PM Modi’s action. Pakistan Here is some responses of the international community on the major Indo-Pak conflict during the PM Modi period. 

Pakistani’s allies had also jumped into the discussion for supporting Pakistan; the Turkish ambassador of Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul had firmly supported Pakistan by suggesting the way forward that the only solution to improve ties between India and Pakistan is negotiation and peace talks, not the war.   Mr. Mevlut Cavusoglu who is the Turkish foreign minister condemned the attack and said Turkey aligned with the Pakistani stance over the Indian occupied Kashmir and stressed the solution (Saddiqui, 2019). China had contacted Pakistan for a briefing on the Pulwama attack Pakistan cleared its position regarding the deadly attack that killed 40 Indian military personnel on 14 February. Pakistan's foreign minister took the narrative Pakistan would investigate and work with India with determination. (Elmer, 2019). Chinese spoke person on international affairs stressed the quick solution to the Indo-Pak conflict and avoiding the escalation. China also offered to support Pakistan in counterterrorism. 

 

Pakistan Goodwill Gesture 

Pakistan did an excellent and exemplary act by releasing the Indian Pilot to limit the escalation and improve bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.  After the deadly Pulwama incidents, India accused Pakistan of attack and retaliates against Pakistan. (News, 2019). India had crossed the Line of control illegally and entered Pakistan territory in the mid of the night. Pakistan immediately acted and shoot down the Indian aircraft, fortunately, the pilot survived and was captured by the Pakistan army. Pakistan treated him well, despite Indian controversial move Pakistan’s prime minister freed the pilot and returned to India as a good peace gesture (CNBC, 2019) 

Report clears United States action on the most crucial move of India’s government on August 5, 2019. Pakistan’s leader declared it a violating act and told the international community about human rights violations in Kashmir. (Hindu, 2019). American spokesperson Morgan Ortagus responds to the brutal act of India that the United States asks people to maintain peace and security and direct dialogue’ in adding further she argued that whenever there is a conflict in the world we ask people to follow the rules of law and respect international norms and human rights.  Pakistan's Prime Minister has reacted acutely to the Indian activities in Kashmir insisting that with an approach like this, "incidents like Pulwama are bound to happen again", Khan said ‘I can already predict this will happen. India will strive to place the blame game on Pakistan again and may India strike on Pakistan again and Pakistan would strike back at India.  Khan warns India to stop dog fights if it did not what will happen then?   India will attack Pakistan and in response and the war will begin, but if India and Pakistan fight a war till the shed of the last drop of blood, who will win the war? No one will win and it would have dangerous effects on the world. This is not the way to nuclear blackmail. (IANS, 2019) 

Prime minister Imran Khan told his Turkish counterpart President Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian president Mahathir Mohamed about Kashmir. Imran Khan further briefed them that changing the status of the Indian occupied Kashmir was "illegal and a violation of the United Nations resolution. This aggressive Indian move will further deteriorate the relations of two nuclear-capable states Indian and Pakistan. In response, the Malaysian leader ensured Imran Khan Malaysia was closely examining the situation in the Indian occupied J&K and would assist Pakistan and remain in contact with Pakistan (Today, 2019) 

China opposed PM Modi’s “unilateral” changes in the former state of Kashmir by breaking the state into two separate union territories.  China declared it invalid and illegal, the Chinese government called on both states India and Pakistan to resolve the conflict over the Kashmir state through negotiation and consultations. Mr. Wang Wenbin who is the spokesperson of the Chinese leadership made a statement; China follows closely the situation in the Kashmir region ‘China has a constant and clear position there is a crucial need for United Nations Security Council resolutions and bilateral dialogues between Pakistan and India to 

solve the historical dispute. (Patranobis, 2020) 

Conclusion

The foregoing discussion guides the status of Indo-Pakistan bilateral relations and a possible way forward.  India and Pakistan had been pitiable and crucial bilateral relations since Independence, the nationalist mindset of both states leads to conflict. Pakistan always tried to limit the escalation, but the Indian strategy of the blame game has damaged the relations. India accused Pakistan of terrorism and told the international community that Pakistan is engaging in cross-border terrorism and funding non-state actors. Pakistan has ensured India for investigation even Pakistan arrested the responsible for cross border terrorism. India has adopted ‘a pragmatism approach in its foreign policy and it has been recognized as one that rejected India’s prior Nehru’s idealism’ policies which depend on moral posturing rather than pursuing material interest and power. PM Modi emerged as a pragmatic leader who will bring radical changes in Indian foreign policy and would omit earlier ideas of idealism. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pragmatic approach made him responsive to both established foreign policy ideas and Hindutva ideology (Hindu nationalist ideology). Pakistan and India are the big players in The South Asian region, and this region has vast geopolitical and economic importance. But both states are not able to have good trade or diplomatic ties with each other. Border conflict and misunderstanding in foreign affairs escalate hostility Pakistan always used to play offensive either it has a matter of Kashmir or crosses border tension. While India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan has always been offensive especially in PM Modi's regime because of poor Indian policy towards Pakistan as well as Kashmir. Furthermore, Pakistan’s stance towards its sovereignty has been clear in last year's incident of Balakot, in which an Indian fighter jet was shot down, which was a strict and clear response to Pakistan has proved. On the other hand, the careless response of Indian politicians and leaders shows that India is not in the mood for conflict resolution and peace. 

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