WE ALL GET into it with our neighbors from time to time. Let’s face it—people are social by nature, but living close to one another can stir up conflicts. Whether it’s a battle over where the fence should go or a late-night party that gets too loud, neighborly disputes are as old as civilisation itself. And, as the Bible wisely points out, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love thy neighbor as thyself.” It’s a simple but profound reminder that’s shaped moral thinking for centuries. Similarly, the Quran advises us to be good to “neighbors who are near, and neighbors who are strangers,” grounding us in the basic truth that those who live around us—whether they’re lifelong friends or complete strangers—deserve our respect and decency.
But why the sermon? In today’s world—especially in big, bustling cities—the whole idea of neighborliness has sort of fallen by the wayside. Many of us barely know the people living next door. Between busy schedules and the digital distractions of modern life, we’ve become more disconnected than ever from the communities that surround us. Yet, history has shown us that when you ignore, or worse, antagonise those closest to you, the fallout can last for generations and become nearly impossible to repair.
Take another nugget of wisdom from Atal Bihari Vajpayee: “You can change your friends, but not your neighbors.” And for almost two billion people across the Indian Subcontinent, that quote hits hard. Vajpayee, a towering figure in Indian politics, knew exactly what he was talking about. India and Pakistan—two nations born from the painful partition of the British Raj in 1947—have been like siblings locked in an endless feud. They’ve spent decades bickering, blaming each other, and playing geopolitical games. And the result? A cycle of mistrust and conflict, kept alive by an ongoing contest of egos.
Vajpayee’s words ring sorely true when considering the tumultuous relationship between India and Pakistan. While we may choose to distance ourselves from friends who hurt or disappoint us, the reality is that neighbours—whether they are the house next door or the country over the border—cannot be so easily dismissed. You are bound to them by geography, history, and in many cases, shared culture. The onus, then, falls on both sides to strive for peace, compromise, and understanding, even when tensions flare.
Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has always understood this. Despite the ups and downs between the two countries, Nawaz has repeatedly extended olive branches to India in the hopes of cooling tensions. “We should not waste 75 more years like we’ve wasted the past 75,” he once said, alluding to the countless opportunities for peace that have been missed since partition. Nawaz’s vision is simple: India and Pakistan, so similar in culture, language, and tradition, could eventually become partners in peace rather than adversaries in conflict.
Both countries have had their fair share of blame games. In India, Muslims are often unfairly labeled as “Pakistanis.” Meanwhile, in Pakistan, there’s actually a surprising openness toward Indian culture—despite the political tension. The real issue isn’t so much with the people as it is with the governments. The shared history, language, and culture between India and Pakistan run deep, and it’s that common ground that could be the key to long-term peace. But, let’s be honest—it’s going to take leadership on both sides to rise above old grudges and actually sit down for some serious dialogue.
You don’t have to look far to see that it’s possible. Have you ever been to the Gulf? Over there, Indians and Pakistanis live together like the partition never even happened. Everyone’s united in their own struggles, working side by side, sharing food, stories, and even cricket matches. It’s a far cry from the narrative of rivalry that dominates back home.
Nawaz Sharif, ever the tactician, has been playing the long game in Pakistani politics for decades. During Pakistan’s recent SCO summit—the first hosted in the country in years—Nawaz invited Indian journalists to his estate at Jati Umra. He wasn’t shy about expressing his disappointment that Modi didn’t attend the summit, saying it would’ve been “nice if Modi had come to Pakistan for the SCO.”
Nawaz also praised Modi for his surprise visit to Raiwind back in 2015, calling it “a pleasant surprise” and even reminiscing about how Modi spent time with his mother. He pointed out that these aren’t just small gestures, pushing for more of this low-key diplomacy where leaders act like, well, humans. But Nawaz has always had a more nuanced take on the whole India-Pakistan saga. He pointed out how his dad’s passport listed Amritsar, Punjab, as his birthplace, making a solid case for why the two countries share way more than they like to admit. “We’ve got the same culture, tradition, language, and cuisine,” he mused, shaking his head at how long the diplomatic freeze has lasted. “Leaders may not see eye to eye, but people-to-people relationships are great.” Translation: the politicians need to stop ruining what could actually work.
And Nawaz isn’t just all talk. He’s optimistic about moving things forward, especially with the COP Climate Summit coming up, even suggesting that it might be the perfect time for leaders from both countries to sit down and talk—maybe without all the drama for once.
Nawaz even dragged cricket into the mix, expressing his disappointment that the two countries haven’t faced off on the pitch in ages. “If it were up to me, I’d have let them play,” he said, clearly frustrated. He even hinted at crashing the Asia Cup finals next year if Pakistan makes it, saying, “I’ll go to India to watch them play.” As if that weren’t bold enough, he threw in that he’d totally be down to invite Modi to Pakistan for some good old-fashioned cricket diplomacy.
Back in 1999, Nawaz Sharif made a notable attempt at mending ties with India. He invited Indian journalists over and gently nudged Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India’s prime minister at the time, to visit. And surprisingly, it worked. Vajpayee arrived in Lahore, and together they signed the historic Lahore Declaration. Fast forward to today, and it looks like Nawaz might be trying to replicate that same strategy with Narendra Modi. Whether it’s a strategic move or just hope for peace, it’s clear Nawaz isn’t shy about reopening dialogue.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his part, was highly respected, both in India and across the border. His diplomatic achievements included establishing the Delhi-to-Lahore bus service and making a symbolic visit to Minar-e-Pakistan. Vajpayee left such an impression that Nawaz once quipped, “Vajpayee sahab ab toh Pakistan mein bhi election jeet sakte hain” (Vajpayee could even win elections in Pakistan now).
Nawaz’s call for peace isn’t new, but the timing is crucial. Ahead of Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, he made a simple yet profound statement: “No two nations have ever possessed so many cultural and traditional similarities as India and Pakistan. Why not turn those similarities into our strength?” It’s the kind of rhetoric that, at the very least, makes you pause and wonder if this could be the moment both nations finally move past decades of division. Whether or not Nawaz is the one to bridge the gap remains to be seen, but his optimism is hard to ignore. ∎