Tensions may high between India and Pakistan, but for a day, hostilities among the diplomatic communities were called off just for a brief bit on Friday. And the 'p word'—and the lack of it—hung heavily at the blue-domed Pakistan High Commission like the strands of white jasmine strewn into a giant 70 that greeted guests at the gate.
Pakistan Day is the biggest gathering that the High Commission welcomes and a long queue of black sedans with the blue diplomatic number plates made a beeline for its tall gates.
The Indian government, however, made its displeasure known as it sent only Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as its representative. Shekhawat did not stay for long.
“Since independence in 1947, India and Pakistan have completed 70 years as free nations. At the time of independence, our founding fathers had envisioned an amicable relationship between the two countries. The relations, however, evolved on a different trajectory,'' said Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood.
The Pakistan high commissioner had arrived late Thursday night after his long “consultations'' in Islamabad. His departure from Delhi had sparked rumours that he was being recalled. Mahmood, however, struck a conciliatory note as he hoped that “there would be hard reflection on the time that is lost, and the opportunities missed'' as the two countries turn 70.
“Building a future different from the past remains indispensable. We owe it to our next generations. We must give them a future of hope and opportunities,'' he said.
The first tiff between India and Pakistan in this government had begun with Pakistan Day and the invitation extended to the Hurriyat. The newly elected NDA government had then raised a vociferous objection to separatists being issued an invitation. Four years later, the bitterness seems to have only increased.
Across the border in Islamabad, there was a similar sort of brief softening on Friday. For the first time, senior Indian military officials and diplomats attended the Pakistan military parade. The idea to invite the Indian officials was that of Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, who wanted to send a message of peace.