Punjab minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is under fire from BJP and section of rubble rousing ‘nationalist media’ for hugging Chief of Pakistan army Qamar Bajwa while attending the swearing in ceremony of new Prime Minister Imran Khan. Ironically just as BJP and its allies in media were making big issue out of it, report came that Prime Minister Narendra Modi have written letter to new PM where he expressed India’s commitment to build good neighbourly relations and “pursue meaningful and constructive engagement” for the benefit of the people of the region. Both Sidhu and PM Modi deserves pat on the back for showing magnanimity at a time when neighbouring country is embarking on a new journey.
If indeed Pakistan makes progress under its new leadership, it will only help to improve the relation between two countries. It is wrong on the part of section of media to hound Mr Sidhu for hugging Pakistan army chief. He has won the hearts of Pakistani by attending swearing in ceremony and by being warm towards their people. This has created a feel good factor and has potential to pave way for dialogue to resume between two countries. PM Modi had also recently called up Imran Khan in which they spoke of their shared vision to bring peace, security and prosperity in the subcontinent in order to make it free of terror and violence, and to focus on development. It seems both the Prime Minister is serious about bringing peace in the region. Everyone including civil society bodies, media and military of both nations should help the two leaders in achieving task of bringing long term peace in the region. It will be a difficult task but certainly is not impossible.