An unannounced meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and a visiting Indian business tycoon at the hill resort town of Murree triggered intense speculations in the country with several politicians and analysts suggesting it could be the precursor to a possible meeting between the Pakistani and Indian premiers in the near future. Sajjan Jindal, who is known for being close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also has a friendly relationship with Mr Sharif. Some seasoned analysts said that Mr Jindal’s visit could be part of some backchannel contact to improve relations between the two countries. According to a media report, former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri described the controversy stirred up by the visit as unfortunate, saying that just because it was part of some backchannel diplomacy, it should not be rejected outright. In fact, he said, some of the best results were achieved as a result of backchannel contacts. On the other hand, some opposition politicians were angry over the government’s decision to keep Mr Jindal’s visit as well the PM’s meeting with him secret. Although strict security was in place for the brief visit, the identity of the PM’s guests was not known at the time. The resolution, submitted by Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, said that a three-member delegation, led by Mr Jindal, was taken to Murree under official protocol. PTI MNA Murad Saeed questioned why the prime minister was meeting an Indian steel magnate at a time when tensions were high with our eastern neighbour. Mr Jindal’s was an honoured guest at the wedding of the prime minister’s granddaughter in December 2015, the same occasion where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also a guest. Members of the opposition present during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs questioned why the government had remained silent regarding the visit of Indian business tycoon Sajjan Jindal.Several politicians and analysts suggested that the meeting could be a precursor to a possible meeting between the premier and his Indian counterpart in the near future. In tense times, personal contacts between powerful stakeholders of two countries are nothing new and such contacts ought not to be necessarily seen negatively. Pakistan has maintained back channel contacts with India in the past also. The government is facing tough political situations in the country and on the other hand Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan has exposed. The India is also involved in severe human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and despite harsh criticism it is not ready to stop inhuman treatment with the people of Kashmir. In the Past back door diplomacy between India and Pakistan had failed to contribute in resolving outstanding key issues. In these circumstances, when Pak-India relations are at their worst Jindal’s visit may also rouse suspicions inside the country. So until India does not show its readiness to initiate process to resolve outstanding issues including Kashmir issue such visits cannot helpful for the country.
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