In a bid to reduce tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan are currently negotiating the former’s proposal of sending a team of 20 doctors to Pakistan to examine children, women, and mentally unsound prisoners.
Reportedly, the countries had agreed on the repatriation of these prisoners earlier this month and since then they are waiting to be released. Both India and Pakistan are discussing the issuance of visas but as per the sources, Pakistan might not agree to issue visas to such a large number of medical experts.
It’s important to note that lately, the diplomats of both countries accused each other of harassment and stalking. India had also accused Pakistan of blocking Indian government websites and the matter was discussed with the latter’s foreign ministry.
Considering the situation, India also laid out four conditions that need to be fulfilled by Pakistan before the ties could be normalized. These conditions are:
• An immediate end to the harassment of Indian diplomats
• Unhindered movement of Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria outside Islamabad
• Construction of Indian residential complex in Islamabad, in a peaceful manner
• Reversal of the decision of not allowing Indian diplomats the membership of Islamabad club.
Currently, India’s priority is to get the mentally unsound prisoners examined so that they can be brought back to the country. A meeting was held between Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood in October 2017 over the humanitarian issue of prisoners.
Mrs. Swaraj had proposed in the meeting that the two countries look forward to resolving the humanitarian issues of women, children, mentally unsound, and elderly prisoners. On March 7, India had issued a statement that Pakistan responded positively to Swaraj’s proposal.
The series of unfortunate incidents including numerous ceasefire violations on the border by Pakistan and the reports of harassment of the diplomats seem to have worsened the situation. However, there is still hope that the two sides can reconcile their differences with maturity and considerations.
