Imran Khan is going to start a new and perhaps most important innings of his life as Prime Minister of Pakistan on August 11. Since the neighbours have a shared history, India cannot remain untouched by the régime change in Pakistan that has a direct bearing on the internal security climate in the country.

Just like when Prime Minister Narendra Modi started on a positive note by inviting Imran’s predecessor Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony four years ago along with SAARC leaders, the cricketer prime minister of Pakistan’s victory speech gave a shining glimpse of optimism filtering through the dark clouds of uncertainty that have surrounded India-Pakistan ties.

Scuttling peace moves

As seen in these last four years, the moments of bonhomie are always succeeded by violent strikes that scuttle any peace overtures. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Lahore trip was paid back in Kargil and Modi's surprise Raiwind stopover was returned with attacks in Pathankot and Uri.

Prime Minister Modi has called up Imran Khan but one cannot move forward by not looking back when it comes to dealing with Pakistan. In a way there are several similarities between Modi and Imran Khan. Both are self made in politics and both have come up as no nonsense customers against the menace of political corruption prevailing in either side of border. They are popular among youth and represent change to get rid of crony capitalism and dynastic politics.

But the difference ends when one assesses their hold over the governments. While Modi is an all powerful leader with a strong mandate and a calibre to drive his own policies, Imran Khan has a modest mandate and derives his strength from the military. His victory has been tainted by allegations of widespread manipulation by the army and judiciary.

Question mark

There is a big question mark if he will get a free hand in driving the complex foreign policy traditionally dictated by the generals in General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Imran Khan came with the promise of naya Pakistan but it remains to be seen if he has in him to shut down the Jihad factories running in the country exporting terror all over the world including Jammu and Kashmir. It is easier said than done and Imran Khan has shown the inclination of being soft on Taliban and the Islamists. He has favoured talks with them instead of using force.

He has shown intent to make a new beginning with India but unless he walks the talk on curbing terrorism, New Delhi will find it difficult to walk far with him. Prime minister Modi will face elections in less than a year which is too short a time for him to take risk on a subject as sensitive as Pakistan.

Imran Khan will have to bring a lot to the table in his negotiations with India. Given that the generals are watching him closely, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to actually make any meaningful change. His dream of naya Pakistan will remain hollow till terror groups are crushed.