Former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani says "Pakistan's military establishment needs to shut down its jihad factory which they have run since 1979 in its own interest more than in the interest of India."
He also added that "the Pakistani establishment can support Hafiz Saeed as much as they want but just as KGB couldn’t silence the Russian people or the Stasi couldn’t bring down the German people, ultimately the people of Pakistan will prevail."
On Prime Minister Modi's peace overtures like when he decided to drop in to Lahore on Christmas day, Ambassador Haqqani was less than flattering when he said "diplomacy is not driven by events.
It has to be driven by processes. Media can’t drive 24/7 diplomacy. Diplomacy is a bit like falling in love in real life. It’s a process and not an event. It has to be engagement without illusions."
Haqqani who has penned a new book titled, 'India vs Pakistan: Why can’t we just be friends?' has long been a powerful advocate of friendship between both countries despite the obvious obstacles like terrorism and Kashmir.
On the recent Kashmir dispute he urged India to address the genuine concerns of Kashmiris and their perceived alienation from the mainstream.
He said the only realistic solution to the dispute was to eventually make the Line of Control into a de-facto border, something which General Musharraf and Former Prime Minister Manmohan Sngh came closest to achieving between 2004 and 2007 before Musharraf was ousted from power.
"Trump is a product of reality TV. He is not a serious contender. He is an anger candidate. He has tapped into the anger of White America. He says outrageous things and then walks back a bit. But in the process he appeals to the sentiments of white, males who feel things were much better earlier before the immigrants took over America."
Ambassador Haqqani left with a parting shot and some food for thought for India.
"When the establishment in Pakistan collapses, it will be a bit like the fall of the Berlin Wall.India has to be ready for change in Pakistan just like the Americans were vis a vis the Soviet Union. They realized it was a failing state and when it did fail, they were in the right position to take advantage."