Missive to Pakistan: Joint statement brings India and UAE into alignment on terror

The $75 billion target for UAE investments in Indian infrastructure projects, part of the India-UAE joint statement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Emirates, looks impressive on paper. But given stalled reforms in India, it's a moot point how much of this can actually materialize.

What may be more substantial is forthright condemnations of states using religiously motivated terrorism against other states that were included in the joint statement, resonating strongly with New Delhi's concerns on Pakistan sponsored terrorism. These were complemented by steps which, if implemented, will significantly ratchet up security cooperation and establish a strategic partnership between India and UAE.

The implicit references to Pakistan were played up in Modi's diaspora rally at the Dubai cricket ground, the West Asian version of his Madison Square Garden rally. Modi cited the joint statement to argue those involved in terrorism should be punished, adding those who needed to understand would do so.

He also talked about how India and Bangladesh solved problems between them through peaceful dialogue while pointing out how South Asian cooperation benefits the whole region, a thinly veiled reference to Pakistan opening up on the border and pushing in terrorists even as national security advisers of both countries are billed to meet in New Delhi in a few days.

UAE offers a completely different vision of Islam than Pakistan does — one that is urbane, modern, tolerant, sophisticated and commercially dynamic rather than one that relies on Wahhabi-style fundamentalism. It's a vision that India ought to support and invite Pakistan to embrace as well.

Indeed, this has been underlined by the joint statement which emphasises India and UAE as “shining examples of open and multicultural societies”. Moreover, UAE offers a template of Indians and Pakistanis living together peacefully. There's no reason why that can't be replicated in the subcontinent.

One problem with current India-Pakistan talks is that they are being conducted by Pakistan's civilian establishment leaving the military out. Border firings and infiltrations are an indication the latter wants to rip up peace talks, as it often has in the past. The only way round is to frankly recognise that sovereignty in Pakistan is split and India policy is controlled by the armed forces.

It's time toinstitutionalise the role of the Pakistani military in parleys between New Delhi and Islamabad. There's no way peace can happen without the Pakistani military on board.