Para diplomacy and Karatarpur Sahib

• Context (IE): Proposals to engage Pakistan for “Kartarpur Sahib” bring to the fore the idea of ‘Para-diplomacy’.

Paradiplomacy

• Paradiplomacy involves formal interactions between entities below the federal level — provincial and local governments — in pursuit of shared national goals.
• Paradiplomacy, conducted in tandem with the central government, can often produce openings that cannot be generated between the national governments’ congealed positions.

Paradiplomacy opportunities on the Pakistan border

• The state and Centre have to work for “exchange of territory” with Pakistan in return for Kartarpur Sahib.
• Reopening the Attari and Hussainiwala borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism.
• Special economic zone along the entire Punjab border seems to be a possible idea to work with.

Difficulties in para diplomacy with Pakistan

• Past baggage: It is hard to change the territorial status quo along the Radcliffe Line with a history of distrust and bloodshed.
• Pakistan Army’s resistance to economic cooperation: The Pakistan Army is not inclined to resume trade with India.

Refer to India-Pak trade to know more about halting of Indo-Pak trade.

Way forward

• India’s neighbourhood policy must work with the interests of the people in the border provinces.
• A consensus between the centre and the regional parties in the border provinces on developing a productive relationship with the neighbours is a must.