Pakistan-India Trade:

Non-Trade-Related Stakes of the Pakistan-India Relationship
person levels is quite extraordinary. This weighs heavily in the peacebuilding
process, despite the perceived roadblocks in rapprochement.
This in itself is ample reason for optimism for the future. Existing
misperceptions can be expected to reduce considerably once trade and
other links gradually open up. Positive changes can perhaps happen
sooner than anticipated if politicians on both sides demonstrate the
proper leadership to push this process further. Social media growing
exponentially in both countries can potentially become the gamechanger,
if nurtured wisely. The advantage of having a common culture,
language, history, and border—an advantage that seems to be
untapped at the moment—cannot be overstated. Linking the local regions
on both sides of the border—like Punjab, where there was historical
and natural pre-partition trade—can further boost this process.
Pakistan needs to work on countering misrepresentative and negative
images not only in India, but in the rest of the world—and especially
in the post-9/11 era. The Indian media too must avoid the temptation
to sensationalize news from Pakistan in a knee-jerk fashion, and it
must provide some space for positive news to filter through.
The Media RAJ
There has been a sudden unleashing of the media in India and Pakistan,
both in terms of scale and content. Media companies in the last two
decades have gradually gained considerable influence socially, economically,
and politically in their respective countries. Their role in
the India-Pakistan relationship has been no exception. Two examples
demonstrate this point.
In 2001, the Agra Summit brought the two sides together. However,
the summit abruptly concluded without a joint statement. Some blame
this on a meeting President Pervez Musharraf held during the summit
with senior Indian journalists, which was broadcast on live television. It
highlighted the different positions of India and Pakistan, and particularly
regarding Kashmir. In essence, the Indian media both exploited and
weakened the government’s position before the Indian public. In such
an environment, it was difficult for the Indian government to win the
public’s approval for an agreement.
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