Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): The statement of Foreign Minister to cooperate with the United States for regional peace is in line with the narrative of Pakistan. The prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan. The present government is focusing on to strengthen its bilateral relations with all the neighboring countries. Pakistan is ready to negotiate with India on all outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir. The insurgency in India has turned into violence. The Indian intellectuals are openly criticizing the policies of Modi administration as these are isolating the country in the world. The conflicts of India with its neighboring countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, China and Pakistan are being witnessed by the world. The type of attitude India is exhibiting under the Modi regime is dangerous for regional peace and prosperity. The Indian government has imposed strict curfew in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for over a year now and is committing grave human rights violations in the valley. Pakistan, on the other hand, is giving all the rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan they deserve. This is the reason that people of Gilgit-Baltistan are supporting Pakistan and also want to be with Pakistan in future.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal (IR Expert): The victory of Joe Biden as new US president was expected. In past, Hillary Clinton received popular votes than Donald Trump but the end results were quite different. The non-traditional style of Donald Trump may be among the reasons for his defeat in US presidential elections. Biden will be more moderate and mature in handling foreign affairs. I am not expecting a major change in the US foreign policy as the prime focus will be the national interests of United States. Joe Biden since the start was in favor of responsible withdrawal of US forces and allies from Afghanistan. Joe Biden may maintain continuity with the policy of Donald Trump as far as China is concerned. The newly elected US president is expected to provide an opportunity for breakthrough in resuming high-level communication and rebuilding mutual strategic trust between the two major countries. There may be a change in US policy towards South Asian region. The new US president may take certain measures to combat the issues like money laundering and terror-financing across the world.

Gopal Singh Chawla (Chairman, Punjabi Sikh Sangat): Punjab was the most affected area at the time of partition of Pakistan and India in 1947. Punjab was divided and now some of our shrines are in Pakistan and the others are in India. Pakistan is the birth place of Baba Guru Nanak who spent 18 years of his life in Pakistan. The Sikhs across the globe are thankful to Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa for constructing Kartarpur Corridor as it brought happiness on the faces of the members of the Sikh community. This corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Punjab. However, the Indian government is in a quandary, displeased with the opening of Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh community and doing negative propaganda against Pakistan. The Sikh community across the world has great respect for the Pakistani government over this decision.  However, Indian Prime Minister from the day one has never accepted Sikh community and the decision of Kartarpur Corridor.