[Video] Heated debate in Indian newsroom regarding engaging with Pakistan - are you with Rajdeep or Gaurav?

[Rajdeep]

So India today group has this weekly democratic newsroom debate where news anchors come together and debate among themselves on various topics. Last week there was a debate on Daljith Dosanj about him acting along side Pakistani artist Hania Amir.

Daljith has faced lots of criticism and backlash in India. In this debate, Rajdeep Sardesai feels we must engage more and do bhai chaara with Pakistani people. However, Gaurav Sawant feels total boycott of Pakistanis is the norm.

Which side you are on and what is your take on this debate?

 

[hks222]

I think we need to normalize relations and come to a solution like making LoC permanent border - both sides keep with what they have.

Fighting serves no one any benefit, specially civilians of both countries.

India also needs to put down the balochistan agenda / narrative and similarly Pakistan also needs to take a step back.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Superficial friendships when nations are at war with each other? Not my cup of tea.

Let things be genuine. Let us both take a step back and utilize this cool off period to reflect on the way we are and the way we want to be. Let there be a genuine healing and let there be genuine effort to bring the nations together politically first.

 

[hks222]

Also - there are good and bad people everywhere. This narrative is lame that minorities are mismanaged only in Pakistan.

I own a restaurant near Lahore and the manager is a christian.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

My position has always been that as the most powerful south Asian nation, India should be looking to drive the agenda and take charge when it comes to neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Neither are particularly convincing as theocracies, they are not that different in reality to India itself. Afghanistan for example is a full fledged Islamic state, but even they can be engaged with on matters of mutual interest.

India has taken a different approach to China and decided that Pakistan and Bangladesh are enemies to be exploited and there can be no mutual benefit. What soft power India enjoyed through engagement has dwindled to nothing basically, and China has stepped in.

 

[straighttalk]

My position has always been that as the most powerful south Asian nation, India should be looking to drive the agenda and take charge when it comes to neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Neither are particularly convincing as theocracies, they are not that different in reality to India itself. Afghanistan for example is a full fledged Islamic state, but even they can be engaged with on matters of mutual interest.

India has taken a different approach to China and decided that Pakistan and Bangladesh are enemies to be exploited and there can be no mutual benefit. What soft power India enjoyed through engagement has dwindled to nothing basically, and China has stepped in.

Honestly China is too powerful for India to challenge and India is too big for China to dominate.. they will try to compete for influence and economy for the next 100 years..one advantage India has is that China has more powerful rivals. On the flip side India has regional adversaries.

You are right that there is not much mutual benefit from Pakistan for India but Bangladesh is not over the brink. There is still goodwill left in a section of the society and we can form a partnership. Bangaldesh's issue with India is more with Hasina and her closeness to India and supposed economic issues. It's honestly juvenile on their part to fight with India for small issues but they are free to chart their own course. Pakistan on the other hand is a whole different issue...they sponsor killers and forment trouble..their military survives on creating anti India narrative..there is really nothing to be gained by engaging with such a country..at best of terrorism is stopped we can freeze the border and let peace happen on its own.