22/08/2022
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Shehbaz Sharif too has been often touted as less hawkish towards India unlike his predecessor. As businessman himself, he has favored trade ties between the two countries. In 2013, Prime Minister Shehbaz paid a visit to India and met the then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and had a meeting with State Minister Prakash Singh Badal. In the meeting he called for peaceful dialogue between the two counties.
Whether or not Shehbaz Sharif’s approach towards India will be an extension of his brother’s policy is a question for the future. However, it is important to note that relations with India are not purely defined by the civilian leadership of the country but also by the military leadership. Perhaps, the tone towards India may be softer in comparison to the Imran Khan government, however, a major shift in policy is highly unlikely for two reasons. The first reason is Pakistan’s current domestic turmoil. There has been substantial polarization in the Pakistani public after the no-confidence vote including protests against the current government and any move made towards India in efforts to reconcile could lead to major backlash from the public. Second, in recent years, competition between the United States and China has intensified, which has the potential to inform India-Pakistan ties. Pakistan and China ties are marked by a history of cordial relations and strong strategic partnership, while India and the United States bilateral ties have grown tremendously in recent years. This is especially the case after the signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement during the 2020 2+2 dialogue and establishing a partnership in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.