Relations between Pakistan and India have always been inimical because of India’s hegemonic designs and its unjustifiable desire to keep all its neighbours under pressure.

As India’s thinking is not expected to undergo any change because of an extremist leadership at the helm, there is little possibility of Pak-India ties getting normal in the foreseeable – even distant – future.

The annexation of occupied Kashmir by India in August last year widened the gulf between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.  

Because of political expediency, the BJP government cannot politically afford to rescind the annexation decision and Pakistan can’t step back from supporting its oppressed Kashmiri brethren, living in hell-like conditions.

India also keeps harassing Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi, ignoring the fact that such provocations are against the diplomatic norms and are only exposing the ‘civility’ of the world’s biggest democracy.

Left with no other option, Pakistan has repeatedly protested against these uncivilized steps. As a result, harassment by India and protest by Pakistan have almost become a regular feature for the two countries.

It is in these circumstances that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi has offered PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a briefing on Indian designs and the future ties between the two neighbours.

Mr Qureshi has also made it clear that he is willing to personally visit the leaders of the two major opposition parties to brief them in case they are unable to spare time to come to the Foreign Office.

Though belated, it is a good gesture made by the government.

The national interest demands that it should be reciprocated positively by the invitees and the government and the opposition should sit together to thoroughly discuss the Indian designs and steps Pakistan must take to thwart them.

The sooner the two sides share the table, the better. Opposition parties’ ego should not block the way.

Whenever the meeting is held one thing that must come under discussion is the worthlessness of the diplomatic relations between the two neighbours. These ties have not served any useful purpose so far – and no difference will be seen even if they are severed. However, the two sides must examine all aspects of the matter before taking a final decision.  The farce should come to an end.

Once two countries cut off their diplomatic ties, they watch their interests through third countries. The severing of relations will not be the first such move by two states nor the last one. Countries not at good terms with each other take such decisions in their national interest.

Both Pakistan and India have friends that are capable of safeguarding their interests.

Time has come that the SAARC countries should treat India as a pariah because of its hegemonic designs.

It is an open secret that India is trying to isolate Pakistan at all fora. It is not in favour of Pakistan playing any effective role at any forum.

A SAARC summit is long due to be held in Pakistan. But it is not being held because of consistent opposition coming from India.

Once it is held in Pakistan, its chairmanship will go to the host, something intolerable for enemy India.

When this is the level of animosity, there is no justification for Pakistan to maintain diplomatic ties with India. This being so, legal or illegal trade between the two states should also come to an end.

The enemy is enemy – and there should be no ambiguity about it.