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For decades, India and Pakistan have had a tumultuous relationship, with frequent border skirmishes, terrorist attacks, and political tensions. Currently, Pakistan is in deep trouble the country is almost bankrupt, its political environment is unstable, inflation is breaking banks and it is fighting with home grown extremist elements. This in my mind is the perfect time to allow Pakistani artists and academics to visit India, India can showcase its hospitality, goodwill, and commitment to improving relations with its neighbor.
However, by loosening these restrictions, India can benefit in numerous ways. Firstly, cultural and academic exchanges can help to promote India’s soft power and showcase its diverse cultural heritage. In Pakistan Bollywood is already very popular and majority of Pakistani Citizen watch and appreciate it. Pakistani artists and academics visiting India can interact with Indian counterparts, participate in cultural festivals, and give talks and lectures, all of which can help to promote India’s rich history, art, and intellectual legacy and promote goodwill among ordinary Citizen.
Moreover, these exchanges can have a positive impact on India’s image in the international community, and showcase India’s commitment to being a responsible and welcoming member of the global community. We Indians always loved and valued arts, science be it songs, poetry, drama or science. As our Prime Minister said we are on a road to be a developed country by 2047 and keeping that in mind we can reach out to common citizen of Pakistan and use this crisis to increase our goodwill among them. India could also leverage its soft power to create a more favorable environment for cultural and academic exchanges, by promoting Indian culture and values in Pakistan through films, music, literature, and social media.
Of course, there may be concerns and objections raised about the idea of allowing Pakistani artists and academics to visit India. Some may argue that such exchanges could pose a security risk, or that they could be exploited for propaganda purposes. However, these concerns can be addressed and mitigated through careful planning and coordination between the two countries. Our Foreign minister is among the world’s brightest mind in foreign diplomacy and our prime minister is immensely popular in India. They have the political capital to do this. we should always put our nation first and this can be a golden opportunity for that.
It’s not really a secret many Indians already see and watch Pakistani Content, India can extend a friendly gesture and showcase its hospitality and goodwill. As we Indian’s proudly say “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” let’s use this crisis to make things better for our future and what is the better way than seeing Fawad Khan in an Indian film!
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