'Sindoor' was Modi's finest hour: Next, let's win peace!

Ironically, I met more Pakistanis than Indians during my short stay in London, which, tragically, coincided with the "Four-Day War" that shook the subcontinent.

- 

Here's the thing: Not a single Pakistani or Indian I encountered crowed or bragged about "showing the other side". Nobody wanted a bloody, extended yudh. There was anxiety, fear, concern and pain being openly expressed, as we swapped scraps of news received from relatives back home. Nobody was paying attention to foreign channels presenting distorted versions of what was happening thousands of miles away. A Pakistani Uber driver spoke with tears in his eyes about the futility of such a war, and blamed the highly corrupt generals of his country for creating such a hostile situation.

He'd left Pakistan over twenty years ago. "We work hard here... life is tough... fortunately, the law is the same for all... it's equal", he said. "But there is zero equality in Pakistan. Our elections are rigged. Our people are unhappy and helpless. Imran Khan remains in jail, even though people love him. Nobody has a voice. We can't speak up or complain. Pakistan has no money. When Pakistanis visit London, they can't afford Ubers, like Indians.

You are so much better off in India." As he dropped me off, he warned repeatedly against bag and phone snatchers. "Be careful, sister..." he gently added, "and look after yourself."