REUNIFICATION OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN by Smriti Agrawal

It has been more than seven decades since India got its independence. Also, it has been seventy – two years of the partition of India into two major parts. The policy of “DIVIDE AND RULE” of British Raj became successful, leading to the emergence of Pak-i-stan as demanded by the leaders of Muslim League and its followers. In congruence with intense racial feelings between Hindus and Muslims, Muslim League leader Mohammed Ali Jinnah, an exceptionally bright and competent lawyer, had initiated upon a campaign demanding a separate Muslim state, as a result of which Pakistan came into existence. May be this was the need of that hour, but what now. Can India and Pakistan ever get reunified or this will just remain a mere dream? To answer this question, this article will talk about the national aspect which includes the social, economic, political aspects and international aspect of the reunification of India and Pakistan and its consequences.

NATIONAL ASPECTS

SOCIAL ASPECT

Talking about social aspect in the reunification of India and Pakistan, we will find disadvantages more than advantages. The feeling of social integration, unity, solidarity, fraternity, may never be found in the hearts of the citizens of both the nations. The one of the main reasons behind this is that the Pakistan is the house of terror. It is the largest promoter of terrorism. It is the foremost terror-funding state in the whole world. The terrorist like Masood Azhar, who has now been declared the global terrorist by the United Nations and the terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammad, etc. are living peacefully in the Pakistan as no actions are being taken against them. Instead they are being given protection. The terrorist attacks like URI and PULWAMA by Pakistani military on Indian military forces were the most devious and heinous acts done by the Pakistanis. These kinds of acts will never lead to social integration between the two nations. The day-to-day firings, crossings on LOC, etc. lead to social unrest and riots between the armies of both the nations. If India and Pakistan is to be reunified, Pakistan has to deal with its terrorists in the first place. India will whole-heartedly help Pakistan in this noble cause. But Pakistan has to take the first step towards it. May be after this, the nations can be reunified and the citizens of both the nations accept each other happily. But obviously, this seems to be a mere dream only.

ECONOMIC ASPECT

Economically speaking, the Pakistan is going through a very tough time. The rate of inflation is 4.1% of its total GDP and the unemployment rate is, somewhat, 4.0%. Pakistan has already been grey listed by the international terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force – FATF and is on the verge of getting black listed. If Pakistan continues with the grey list, then it would be very difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund – IMF. If Pakistan wants financial aid from IMF and World Bank, it has to fulfill the certain conditions of FATF. While India is also going through an economic slowdown, but it is temporary. As we all know that India is the fastest growing economy in the world, it has the potential to revive its economy. If India and Pakistan gets reunified at this time, then it will be a thing of benefit for Pakistan. But to reunite with India, all Pakistan has to do is to stop the terror-financing. All other nations like USA, Saudi Arabia, and even China have refused to help Pakistan. Therefore, the only resort Pakistan is having is to fulfill the conditions of FATF to revive its economy. If Pakistan fails to do so, then this will have an adverse effect on India, if both reunified.

POLITICAL ASPECT

If we talk about the political aspect of the reunification of India and Pakistan, India is a purely democratic country, while Pakistan is a military rule under the veil of democracy. Also, Pakistan is a terror-hub. The reason behind the terrorism deepens its roots in Pakistan is because of its government and its armed forces. If the government of Pakistan and its military wanted, they would have restricted it. It is because of the government and military’s outlook that Pakistan became the world’s number one terrorist country. If India and Pakistan reunites, then the question of who will rule will become the major hurdle in its reunification. Logically speaking, the ruler should be of India as Pakistan is a part of India and India is more powerful, both ethically and physically. But it will not be an easy task as the social riots will definitely take place. The divide between Hindus and Muslims might get wider and deeper. Thus, the reunification brings with it a lot of disadvantages than advantages. Therefore, it seems that reunification should not take place as the governments of both the countries are totally at the opposite ends in terms of their policies and outlook.

INTERNATIONAL ASPECT

While talking about reunification of India and Pakistan keeping in mind the international aspects, here also, the demerits are leading the merits. Pakistan, at international level, is a terror promoting state. Pakistan has no impact on the world level. It can be justified by witnessing how badly it was treated when no one extend their hands to help it in its financial

crisis. No one said in favor of Pakistan, except China, when Masood Azhar was being declared global terrorist by United Nations. When URI and PULWAMA attacks took place, no one stand by Pakistan, while India has a strong opinion in all international matters. When India did the SURGICAL STRIKE and AIR STRIKE, everyone applauded India for its great move and effort to tackle terrorism. India has great international relations. If the reunification of India and Pakistan tends to happen, the problem of terrorism might be tackled to some extent. Pakistan will be benefitted from the international relations of India. Together, both the nations have a strong impact on the world level. But the image of Pakistan at the global level is not that good. It may have adverse effects on India in terms of trade, terror, etc. Thus, internationally also, it will not be an easy task to reunify India and Pakistan.

CONCLUSION

As we all know that every coin has two sides. In the same way, reunification of India and Pakistan has some merits as well as demerits. However, the demerits are more than the merits. While describing the social aspects, we have already seen that it will be difficult for the people of both the nations to accept each other. There will be social unrest in reunifying India and Pakistan. The major problem is terrorism. Coming to economic aspects, India is a leading exporter of spices to Pakistan. The river Indus is the main source of water for Pakistan. If Pakistan and India reunited, the exports of India decline. India, also, is an importer of dry fruits from Pakistan. But the exports of India are more than its imports. Now talking about the political aspects, India is a democratic country while Pakistan is under the martial rule. The PM of Pakistan and his/her cabinet are only the dancing dolls of the military. This will create a major problem in the functioning and autonomy if both the countries reunified. Coming to international aspects at last, the reunification of India and Pakistan will only leads to the benefit of Pakistan. The problem of terrorism, again, will become a major and foremost problem in the reunification of both the countries.

Therefore, if India and Pakistan gets reunified, there will be more of disadvantages than advantages. To reunite India and Pakistan, first of all, the hurdles coming in between have to be tackled. The problem of terrorism, financial crisis from the end of Pakistan, feelings of the citizens of both the countries, etc. have to be solved to reunify India and Pakistan.

In today’s context or in the present scenario, the reunification of India and Pakistan seems to be a mere dream.