Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal came out with its poll manifesto and said it would seek the transfer of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India through mutual land exchange between the two countries.

Context:

• The Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) proposal to retrieve Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan through a negotiated territory exchange reflects a growing desire to transform the India-Pakistan border from a zone of conflict to one of cooperation and economic integration.
• This idea might appear as unlikely as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pledge to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India.
• Nonetheless, it signifies a profound aspiration to transform the India-Pakistan border from a contentious zone into one characterized by cooperation and economic integration.

What is Para Diplomacy?

Origins of Paradiplomacy:

• The concept of para-diplomacy was first proposed in 1990 by John Kincaid, an American scholar who outlined a foreign policy role for local governments within a democratic federal system.
• Economic para diplomacy related to trade and investment in particular has become an institutionalised practice across the world – in federal states like the United States, Canada and Belgium, quasi-federal states like Spain, non-federal states like Japan and even non-democratic states like the People’s Republic of China.

Aims and Objectives of Paradiplomacy:

• Paradiplomacy can be employed with a variety of aims which can range from bringing in a decentralised dimension to international debates to internationalisation of domestic issues by bringing regional issues onto the global stage, promoting trade, tourism, cultural ties and even post-conflict reconciliation to local political activism being sought for international support.
• Subnational relations can also be conducted to promote and attract investments seeking region-specific economic advantages.

Drivers of Paradiplomacy:

• In more ways than one, paradiplomacy owes its origins to globalisation.
• As the world economy has become increasingly global and increasingly integrated in a variety of ways, sub-national units (regions, states, provinces and even cities) find their functions and activities circumscribed by the global system.
• Federalism is also a key contributor to the growth of paradiplomacy.
• Sub-national actors such as states and provinces that have a formal legal personality are necessarily more likely to engage in international activities designed to promote and protect local and international interests and prerogatives.

What are the Challenges Associated with BJP and SAD’s Territorial Ambitions?

• Practical Hurdles in BJP and SAD's Territorial Objectives: The proposals put forth by the SAD to renegotiate the Radcliffe Line in Punjab or the BJP's assertion to reclaim PoK face numerous challenges.
  • Altering the territorial status quo in Punjab or reclaiming PoK, whether through diplomatic negotiations or by force, presents formidable obstacles.
• Complexities and Resistance: Such endeavours would not merely disrupt the already delicate territorial equilibrium but also provoke substantial opposition, given the deep-rooted historical and ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
• Pursuing a Pragmatic Approach: A more viable alternative lies in reimagining these borders as conduits for trade and collaboration rather than confrontation.
  • This pragmatic stance resonates with the SAD's additional proposal to reopen the Attari and Hussainiwala borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism, with the aim of fostering economic prosperity in the region.

Obstacles Hindering Economic Cooperation Between India and Pakistan:

• Political and Military Resistance in Pakistan: One of the foremost barriers to economic cooperation stems from the entrenched position of Pakistan's military and political establishment.
  • Over the years, the Pakistani military's steadfast opposition to economic engagement with India, primarily due to unresolved issues surrounding Kashmir, has been a significant deterrent.
  • Despite occasional signs of thaw, such as the February 2021 ceasefire agreement, internal resistance has consistently impeded progress.
  • Even Prime Minister Imran Khan's tentative consideration of resuming trade ties with India faced vehement opposition, highlighting the deep-seated reluctance to normalize relations without addressing the Kashmir dispute.
• Historical Context and Suspicion: The historical animosities dating back to the traumatic partition of 1947 and subsequent wars have entrenched mutual suspicion and distrust between the two nations.
  • These historical grievances have not only shaped national narratives but also influenced contemporary policy decisions.
  • Addressing underlying political tensions becomes imperative for either country to fully commit to economic cooperation.
• Lack of Reciprocal Trade Policies: On the trade front, Pakistan's refusal to grant India the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status remains a significant hurdle.
  • While India extended this status to Pakistan in 1996 to foster trade ties, the gesture was not reciprocated.
  • Subsequent events, such as India's withdrawal of MFN status post the Pulwama terror attack and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status, have further strained bilateral trade relations.
• Economic Rationality vs. Political Baggage: Despite the evident economic benefits of trade, Pakistan's establishment remains wary of engaging with India due to historical conflicts and the overarching Kashmir issue.
  • While there have been instances where the Pakistani business community advocated for resuming trade ties, such appeals often faced resistance from the political and military elite, who prioritize geopolitical concerns over economic pragmatism.
• Regional Stability and Security Concerns: Security concerns, including allegations of cross-border terrorism, complicate the economic relationship between India and Pakistan.
  • Heightened military vigilance and frequent skirmishes along the border hinder trade and perpetuate an environment of hostility and mistrust.
  • The ongoing conflict and the threat of terrorist activities cast a shadow over efforts to normalize trade relations.

Proposing a New Strategy for Improving India-Pakistan Relations:

• Introduction of Special Economic Zones: A significant aspect of the SAD's manifesto is the proposition to convert the Punjab border into a special economic zone, aiming to nurture small and medium enterprises and potentially revolutionize India-Pakistan relations.
  • This innovative vision encompasses the idea of Pakistan establishing a parallel zone on its side, fostering integrated development and economic interdependence.
  • Drawing inspiration from successful models of cross-border economic zones in Southeast Asia and China's collaborative initiatives with neighbouring countries, such an endeavour holds promise for fostering mutual prosperity.
• Leveraging Para Diplomacy: At the heart of these proposals lies the concept of para diplomacy, or sub-state diplomacy, wherein provincial and local governments engage in formal interactions to advance national interests.
  • This approach offers a novel means to navigate around the entrenched positions often held by national governments, presenting fresh avenues for cooperation.
  • While historical attempts at para diplomacy between East and West Punjab have surfaced intermittently, they have struggled to endure amidst overarching national conflicts.
  • Embracing these innovative strategies could pave the way for a constructive dialogue and sustainable cooperation between India and Pakistan, fostering mutual understanding and prosperity in the region.

Fostering Consensus and Cooperative Federalism for Sustainable India-Pakistan Relations:

• To foster sustainable and productive economic cooperation between India and Pakistan, nurturing a robust consensus between the central government and state governments, particularly those in the border regions, is imperative.
  • This collaborative approach, known as cooperative federalism, holds the key to innovative diplomatic strategies that prioritize the interests of local populations.
• India's federal structure has historically grappled with tensions between the central and state governments, particularly concerning foreign policy and cross-border cooperation.
• The diverse political landscapes across Indian states often give rise to conflicting interests and priorities.
  • For example, West Bengal's interactions with Bangladesh have been marked by complexities stemming from differing perspectives between the state leadership and the central government.
• Similarly, Tamil Nadu's influence on India's policies towards Sri Lanka has been substantial, occasionally complicating bilateral relations due to the state's concerns for the Tamil population in Sri Lanka.
• Cooperative federalism entails the harmonious collaboration of national and state governments to achieve shared objectives while respecting the autonomy of state governments.
  • By aligning state objectives with national interests, this approach offers a pragmatic framework for managing border relations and fostering economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.
• Embracing consensus and cooperative federalism is paramount for forging a path towards peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, laying the groundwork for enduring and mutually beneficial relations between India and Pakistan.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal came out with its poll manifesto and said it would seek the transfer of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India through mutual land exchange between the two countries.

Context:

• The Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) proposal to retrieve Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan through a negotiated territory exchange reflects a growing desire to transform the India-Pakistan border from a zone of conflict to one of cooperation and economic integration.
• This idea might appear as unlikely as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pledge to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India.
• Nonetheless, it signifies a profound aspiration to transform the India-Pakistan border from a contentious zone into one characterized by cooperation and economic integration

What is Para Diplomacy?

Origins of Paradiplomacy:

• The concept of para-diplomacy was first proposed in 1990 by John Kincaid, an American scholar who outlined a foreign policy role for local governments within a democratic federal system.
• Economic para diplomacy related to trade and investment in particular has become an institutionalised practice across the world – in federal states like the United States, Canada and Belgium, quasi-federal states like Spain, non-federal states like Japan and even non-democratic states like the People’s Republic of China.

Aims and Objectives of Paradiplomacy:

• Paradiplomacy can be employed with a variety of aims which can range from bringing in a decentralised dimension to international debates to internationalisation of domestic issues by bringing regional issues onto the global stage, promoting trade, tourism, cultural ties and even post-conflict reconciliation to local political activism being sought for international support.
• Subnational relations can also be conducted to promote and attract investments seeking region-specific economic advantages.

Drivers of Paradiplomacy:

• In more ways than one, paradiplomacy owes its origins to globalisation.
• As the world economy has become increasingly global and increasingly integrated in a variety of ways, sub-national units (regions, states, provinces and even cities) find their functions and activities circumscribed by the global system.
• Federalism is also a key contributor to the growth of paradiplomacy.
• Sub-national actors such as states and provinces that have a formal legal personality are necessarily more likely to engage in international activities designed to promote and protect local and international interests and prerogatives.

What are the Challenges Associated with BJP and SAD’s Territorial Ambitions?

• Practical Hurdles in BJP and SAD's Territorial Objectives: The proposals put forth by the SAD to renegotiate the Radcliffe Line in Punjab or the BJP's assertion to reclaim PoK face numerous challenges.
  • Altering the territorial status quo in Punjab or reclaiming PoK, whether through diplomatic negotiations or by force, presents formidable obstacles.
• Complexities and Resistance: Such endeavours would not merely disrupt the already delicate territorial equilibrium but also provoke substantial opposition, given the deep-rooted historical and ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
• Pursuing a Pragmatic Approach: A more viable alternative lies in reimagining these borders as conduits for trade and collaboration rather than confrontation.
  • This pragmatic stance resonates with the SAD's additional proposal to reopen the Attari and Hussainiwala borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism, with the aim of fostering economic prosperity in the region.

Obstacles Hindering Economic Cooperation Between India and Pakistan:

• Political and Military Resistance in Pakistan: One of the foremost barriers to economic cooperation stems from the entrenched position of Pakistan's military and political establishment.
  • Over the years, the Pakistani military's steadfast opposition to economic engagement with India, primarily due to unresolved issues surrounding Kashmir, has been a significant deterrent.
  • Despite occasional signs of thaw, such as the February 2021 ceasefire agreement, internal resistance has consistently impeded progress.
  • Even Prime Minister Imran Khan's tentative consideration of resuming trade ties with India faced vehement opposition, highlighting the deep-seated reluctance to normalize relations without addressing the Kashmir dispute.
• Historical Context and Suspicion: The historical animosities dating back to the traumatic partition of 1947 and subsequent wars have entrenched mutual suspicion and distrust between the two nations.
  • These historical grievances have not only shaped national narratives but also influenced contemporary policy decisions.
  • Addressing underlying political tensions becomes imperative for either country to fully commit to economic cooperation.
• Lack of Reciprocal Trade Policies: On the trade front, Pakistan's refusal to grant India the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status remains a significant hurdle.
  • While India extended this status to Pakistan in 1996 to foster trade ties, the gesture was not reciprocated.
  • Subsequent events, such as India's withdrawal of MFN status post the Pulwama terror attack and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status, have further strained bilateral trade relations.
• Economic Rationality vs. Political Baggage: Despite the evident economic benefits of trade, Pakistan's establishment remains wary of engaging with India due to historical conflicts and the overarching Kashmir issue.
  • While there have been instances where the Pakistani business community advocated for resuming trade ties, such appeals often faced resistance from the political and military elite, who prioritize geopolitical concerns over economic pragmatism.
• Regional Stability and Security Concerns: Security concerns, including allegations of cross-border terrorism, complicate the economic relationship between India and Pakistan.
  • Heightened military vigilance and frequent skirmishes along the border hinder trade and perpetuate an environment of hostility and mistrust.
  • The ongoing conflict and the threat of terrorist activities cast a shadow over efforts to normalize trade relations.

Proposing a New Strategy for Improving India-Pakistan Relations:

• Introduction of Special Economic Zones: A significant aspect of the SAD's manifesto is the proposition to convert the Punjab border into a special economic zone, aiming to nurture small and medium enterprises and potentially revolutionize India-Pakistan relations.
  • This innovative vision encompasses the idea of Pakistan establishing a parallel zone on its side, fostering integrated development and economic interdependence.
  • Drawing inspiration from successful models of cross-border economic zones in Southeast Asia and China's collaborative initiatives with neighbouring countries, such an endeavour holds promise for fostering mutual prosperity.
• Leveraging Para Diplomacy: At the heart of these proposals lies the concept of para diplomacy, or sub-state diplomacy, wherein provincial and local governments engage in formal interactions to advance national interests.
  • This approach offers a novel means to navigate around the entrenched positions often held by national governments, presenting fresh avenues for cooperation.
  • While historical attempts at para diplomacy between East and West Punjab have surfaced intermittently, they have struggled to endure amidst overarching national conflicts.
  • Embracing these innovative strategies could pave the way for a constructive dialogue and sustainable cooperation between India and Pakistan, fostering mutual understanding and prosperity in the region.

Fostering Consensus and Cooperative Federalism for Sustainable India-Pakistan Relations:

• To foster sustainable and productive economic cooperation between India and Pakistan, nurturing a robust consensus between the central government and state governments, particularly those in the border regions, is imperative.
  • This collaborative approach, known as cooperative federalism, holds the key to innovative diplomatic strategies that prioritize the interests of local populations.
• India's federal structure has historically grappled with tensions between the central and state governments, particularly concerning foreign policy and cross-border cooperation.
• The diverse political landscapes across Indian states often give rise to conflicting interests and priorities.
  • For example, West Bengal's interactions with Bangladesh have been marked by complexities stemming from differing perspectives between the state leadership and the central government.
• Similarly, Tamil Nadu's influence on India's policies towards Sri Lanka has been substantial, occasionally complicating bilateral relations due to the state's concerns for the Tamil population in Sri Lanka.
• Cooperative federalism entails the harmonious collaboration of national and state governments to achieve shared objectives while respecting the autonomy of state governments.
  • By aligning state objectives with national interests, this approach offers a pragmatic framework for managing border relations and fostering economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.
• Embracing consensus and cooperative federalism is paramount for forging a path towards peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, laying the groundwork for enduring and mutually beneficial relations between India and Pakistan.

Conclusion

Irrespective of its political orientation, the upcoming Indian government should regard para-diplomacy as a strategic asset in its foreign policy arsenal. This approach demands not only robust dialogue between the central government and the border provinces but also concerted efforts to align the interests of the inhabitants of these regions with broader national objectives. By embracing para diplomacy, India can lay the groundwork for a more harmonious and economically fruitful relationship with Pakistan, turning contentious borders into conduits of cooperation.