Calculation behind thaw in India-Pakistan ties
It is this strategic calculation that has initiated a shift in New Delhi’s tone as well.
By sending a high-profile delegation to Islamabad to attend the Asian Parliamentary Assembly meet, India has given subtle hints to Pakistan that it was willing to consider putting the stalled dialogue process back on track provided Islamabad stops exporting terrorism.
A three-member Indian Parliamentary delegation is participating in the three-day meet being hosted by the Senate of Pakistan.
The Indian delegation includes Congress Lok Sabha member and former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, BJP Lok Sabha member Meenakashi Lekhi and journalist-turned nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, Swapan Dasgupta, who is considered close to the BJP leadership.
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The presence of Tharoor, who tweeted a picture of the three MPs participating in the Islamabad meet, in the delegation is significant since it clearly reflects that the Congress party too would like the government to bring about certain amount of normalcy in ties with Pakistan.
India’s participation in the parliamentary meet virtually confirms the speculation that India could reopen the channels of communications with Pakistan after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and other four states. The government has also given the go-ahead to the Indus Water Commissioner to attend the talks in Lahore on March 20-21 on the contentious Indus Water Treaty (IWT). It is to be seen whether the Indian MPs would be meeting top Pakistani politicians or officials during their stay in Islamabad.
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